From Rags to Riches- An American Dream

Both James Guimond and Alinder discuss the power that photographs have to portray either the American Dream or the American Nightmare. One powerful tool that James Guimond touches on is the positionality of subjects in photographs. How photographers portray their subjects in photos can depend on a variety of different things- angle, lighting, and overall photo quality. A darker lit photograph may lead to a more somber mood within the photograph which could portray the American Nightmare. A wide camera angle could show a background/setting that could change the entire meaning of a photograph as seen in the many billboard photographs shown in James Guimond’s, “Sign of Hard Times.” Solipsism, or seeing and looking at things from your own point of view is important when discussing the photographs that Guimond discusses. Documentary photography is all about looking and capturing everyday activities. Positionality also plays a role in that and determining what the photographer is going to portray in that photograph. Both looking and positionality is what solipsism is all about when it comes to the photographer capturing the message that they want too. While many of the photographs that Guimond discusses questions the American Dream- and more strongly defines the American Nightmare, Alinder tends to do the opposite. Alinder discussed how Japanese Americans were portrayed in documentary photography in many different exhibits. These exhibits role was to show that America was a nation full of citizens- of all races and ethnicities with great pride. While these two readings portray different ideologies of America- the dream and the nightmare they both share how documentary photography can shape the view that people have towards a society and culture.

The two pictures I chose portray two different things. This Corvette was parked outside of Phillips Hall. This minimum wage poster I found was located in front of numerous different businesses in downtown Iowa City. I think when viewing these photographs separately some people may believe that they represent the American Dream. Having enough money to purchase a Corvette or knowing that businesses are supporting you and raising their minimum wage. In my opinion, when viewing these photographs together they also represent the American Dream. An important aspect of the American Dream is being able to go from rags to riches, overcoming adversity and becoming a self-made man/woman. While we don’t know the circumstances of how this person driving the Corvette, a $80,000 car can afford it but I’m going to assume since they are driving this car that they are pretty well off. The other photograph represents the “rags” in the rags to riches scenario. Many businesses in the Iowa City area support a higher minimum wage. While the thought of being able to purchase a Corvette in the future may seem far off for many people the fact that many businesses are supporting a higher minimum wage makes that idea of purchasing a Corvette more possible than it would be in the past. I know that not everyone’s dream is to be able to purchase a Corvette or other luxury car in their lifetime but the fact that someday you could be able to starts today and with businesses offering a higher minimum wage that makes it easier than it has in the past. I think these photographs together represent the rags to riches scenario that I believe is an essential part of the American Dream.