The title is in quotes because its not really an assignment, per say.
While I had some grand plans about following up on our brief conversation about the intro to the New Kings of Nonfiction. Something better and more interesting came up. Thank you to Mike Dupar for his link to a beautiful site that continues to stretch our ideas about the nature of journalism. And doesn't it just exemplify the truth of Ira Glass's point about letting the journalist into the story? If we sought cold, critically distant, factual story telling we'd look the other way at something like this.
Take the time to get through this site and make a comment on the blog reacting to it on your own terms. Don't worry about length.
Thanks again, Mike!
The begging of this story, about the authors father, reminded me of the the movie Memento. A movie where the main character only has his memory for about fifteen minutes before he forgets what he's doing and who he is. For me, the saddest part of this story was when the authors father waisted hours on the toilet, forgetting he already went a second ago. This webpage really gave me an idea who this dying man was, and the pain and happy moments for father and son who watch him go. It was a very touching story, and relationship that some of us might wish to have with our loved one's when it is their time to go.
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my favorite photojournalism pieces that we have been instructed to watch. I really liked the way all the pictures and words flowed together. The piece was very well done and it was a very sad topic to chose. However, the author turned this depressing topic into an inspiring story about a boy and his father. I commend this author for putting all of his feelings and personal information out onto the web. He is showing everyone how the end of someone's life is more than just a sad experience, it can teach you about yourself as well.
ReplyDeleteThis story gave a glimpse into a world that I know nothing about and yet it was magnificent. The devotion that this son had for his father was remarkable. While I do not enjoy sad movies or sad books I could not not help but thinking about this story on my walk home. This video was extremely touching and heartfelt. It seems like now a days people cast aside the elderly when they encounter Alzheimer's, or other health challenges, and this is a heartfelt reminder that each of these people have stories to tell and if we just sit down and take a moment who knows what extraordinary things we might learn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments so far. I agree with Sam that perhaps the saddest part of the photo essay documented the man's memory loss to the extent that he didn't remember that he had just used the toilet. Nobody would wish that state on another person, let alone one they loved. Lauren and Emilt each said something to this effect. But its worth another try: I am oddly flattered (not sure if that is the right word) that this man would make the effort to share he and his father's last days together with an audience that could include me.
ReplyDeleteSorry. *Emily*
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea for a site, with great pictures and great storytelling and an efficient conveyance of emotion, but I can't envision it in any sort of publication. To me it's more of a piece of art that tells a story. This isn't to say I'm against that at all, I think it's pretty neat and I don't imagine the author had any intentions of profiting from it, but I can't see an actual "newsier" story being effective in that format. A+ for originality, photos, and effect, though.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a very interesting sight. The layout and flow was very "story book"-esk. I thought the captions were both fitting and powerful, tugging at my heart strings at many moments, while bringing a sudden grin to my face at others. The pictures also told the story just about as well, if not better than the captions.
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ReplyDeleteOne of the most beautiful websites ive come across in a long time. Its not as much journalism as it is just a story of a man's life with his father. I thought it was extremely emotional and heart-felt, letting me really take a glimpse into a new scene with new people, and understanding their story.
ReplyDeleteThe layout was very well played out, as carl said, "story book"-esk. Very nice touch, it supports the intamacy of the story itself.
This piece was pretty nifty. I thought it was nice how it covered a story that was a lot slower than our normal pieces we see. It was not up-beat, but managed to pull us through with a ray of sunlight seeming somewhat inevitable. The author made us feel quite in-touch with his situation. I'm glad that he pulled his fathers interesting fate into a good photo documentary. At first the story was just depressing but it turned out alright.
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