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Etienne-Jules Marey

Etienne-Jules Marey

Etienne-Jules Marey was a French scientist and a chronophotogropher, born in Beaune, France in 1830. Marey enrolled in the faculty of medicine to study surgery and physiology in 1849. After studying the circulation of the blood, Marey published Le Mouvement dans les fonctions de la vie in 1868. From 1863, Marey perfected the first elements of his 'methode graphique', which studied movement using recording instruments and graphs. Using polygraphs, sphygmographs, dromographs and other myographs, he succeeded in analyzing diagrammatically the walk of man the results – was published under the name La Machine Animale in 1873. He later perfected the 'photographic gun', which gave him the ability of taking twelve still images in one second. In 1882 Marey quickly abandoned his gun and invented a chronophotographic fixed plate camera, equipped with a timed shutter. Using this, he was able to combine several successive images of a single movement.

Chronophotographic Gun

Chronophotographic Camera

In 1888, Marey invented a method of producing a series of successive images of a moving body on the same negative in order to be able to study its exact position in space at determined moments, which he called ‘chronophotographie’. Marey was able to improve his earlier invention by replacing the glass plate with a long strip of paper. The success of the invention caught the attention of the Academie des Sciences. He continued to improve his invention; two years later the sensitized paper strip was replaced by transparent film. Marey’s invention had a drastic impact on the world of cinematography as all succeeding cameras were based on the principles first applied by Marey. By the late 1890 and early 1900, Marey made a considerable number of motion analysis filmstrips of high technical and aesthetic quality including the very beautiful self-portraits of Marey and Demenÿ, the recording of the movement of a hand, and the famous falling cat. Finally in 1894 Marey published an important work, titled Le Mouvement, which covered all his researches, this had a considerable influence on all pioneers of the cinema that soon followed. The founding father of cinematographic technique “Etienne-Jules Marey,” died in 1904 leaving his research and legacy behind.

Pelican flying- Marey

Cute Cat

Sudanese child with a vulture by Kevin Carter, 1994

Sudanese child with a vulture by Kevin Carter

This picture taken by Kevin Carter in 1994 brings forth a terrifying image of a dying Sudanese toddler. Due to starvation, the child is nothing but skin and bones, and essentially dying. This puts the ailing child as a pray for the vulture (standing behind him) as it represents the child's inevitable death. As sad as this may be, thousands of children in the same or worse conditions can be found in Africa and this picture helps sum up the cruelty of the famine in those regions. This picture has a great impact on the world as it enlightened people on the living conditions in 3rd world countries. Furthermore, this type of publicity also captured the attention of multiple charitable organizations and the UN, ultimately resulting in the aid of these poor children. I for one can semi-relate to this situation, since growing up in a 3rd world countries I came across multiple starving children, however the conditions where not as severe as the ones in Africa. Overall, this depiction should enlighten the viewer on the harsh conditions of 3rd world countries and make them more aware of what they have.

1950 Segregated Water Fountains

1950 Segregated Water Fountain in North Carolina by Elliot Erwitt

The epitome of racial segregation, this picture by Elliot Ewitt showcases the racial discrimination that occurred during the 1950's. Although, African Americans where free at the time, due to the 13th amendment, white societies still did not accept them as equals and this picture clearly demonstrates that. By color labeling something as simple as a water fountain, it shows how inferior the African Americans where regarded at the time to their white counterpart. This type of segregation had an immense impact on the world as it portrayed how poorly humans were being treated, primarily due to the colour of their skin.

1945 Nagasaki Bombing

1945 Nagasaki, taken by the U.S Air Force

The picture taken during the Nagasaki bombing showcases the destructive power of the atomic bomb and the immense size of the mushroom cloud it produces. It is often said that the photographer of the picture was so overwhelmed with the horrors of the bombing,  that it drove him to insanity. The fierce heat rays and radiation burst out in every direction, and unleashed high pressure shockwaves, which vaporized tens of thousands of people and animals, as well as melting buildings and ultimately reducing the city to dust. Many countries became aware of the horrors of nuclear war and how it can ultimately demolish cities in matter of minutes, this made them resented the deaths of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and put a stop to nuclear warfare. However, atomic power stations were built world wide in order to better use this technology, as scientists continued to further develop this dangerous technology and some even objected to the morality of using their knowledge to destroy others (Cold War).

Google Glass Impression

Google Glass may usher in the era of wearable electronics which offer an a immersive experience with some useful features. I strongly believe that google glass is a revolutionary invention that the public is yet to be ready for. In terms of features, the google glass packs a strong punch with a portable phone, camera, gps system, internet and many more. Despite this array of applications, and the user-friendly operating system, google glass' market is simple not ready for this technology, as it is ahed of its time and is not required for everyday use. Although, google believes that people will apperciate the fact that they can use their phones and/or cameras instantly with out being distracted, it will still be tough to see people wanting to silly looking glasses with artificial intelligence. I dont really know how the public will react to this technology and how it can further enhance or maybe even ruin our daily lives.

Deep Web Documentary

Deep web is a world wide web content that is not part of the surface web, which is indexed (blocked off) by standard search engines such as google and bing. It is said to have a total quality content of the deep web that is at least 1,000 to 2,000 times greater than that of the surface web and contain high level of governmental, market and domain information that is often hidden from the public. This subject has a high level of controversy as most believe that the worlds darkest secrets can be found in the deep web; If i where given the opportunity to further explore this topic, i would attempt to document my findings in a video and essentially create a documentary. I believe that the public has the right to understand the type of underground trafficking and conspiracy's that are often hidden.Furthermore, by exploring this topic i will also stumble upon great findings that can not only affect me personally but perhaps influence society as a whole, this findings can include forgotten or hidden mysteries, history, and overall general knowledge hidden from the common people. Although, the deep web is the home of the hackers, scammers and conspiracy theories, it may have the potential to further expand the network communication amongst one another if more people become aware of it.

Sharkwater questions

1. Rob Stewart addresses a complex social issue in his documentary. By revealing the corrupt underground businesses of shark fining, Stewart showcases the negative effects of these businesses and how it not only puts sharks in danger, but disturbs the natural homeostasis of the seas. A prime example of is this, is when Stewart reveals a large stash of shark fins drying on the rooftops as the owners try to cover it up, Stewart explains that the number of fins being driedout,  translates to hundreds of sharks that have brutally been finned.

2. Rob Stewart attempts to raise awareness regarding the negative affects of shark-fining, he manages to capture the attention of the viewers as some 80 countries have banned shark finning since Sharkwater has come out. Furthermore, Stewart and his crew also raise awareness for this situation in costa rica, as protests erupted after the departure of stewart in regards to shark finning. Steward was able to effictivily use some techniques to better support his thesis towards sharks, he first introduced statistics of shark attacks in order to disproof that they are dangerous, than later provide shocking images of the the sharks being brutally finned inorder to capture sympathy from the audience and to expose the true harsh nature of shark finning


3. By exposing the harsh natures of the shark fining process, the movie reveals the unethical treatment of sharks and how it ultimately affect the balance of the sea.  By removing the apex predator from the oceans, the natural homeostasis is greatly affected because they regulate everything beneath them. Furthermore, the movie explains how sharks are not the dangerous creatures often portrayed media and are in-fact shy creatures. This helps make the viewer more aware of how their actions towards some creature can have drastic impact on their lives and the natural homeostasis.

4. Although i admire some of Rob Stewart's work, i believe his career choice is an unusual one. I personally would not follow in his foot steps primarly due to the fact that funding can be a major problem. Regardless of personal gain, proper funding for a documentary is one of its keys to success, it acquires support, more information, and better production for the film leading to its success. Thats why i believe that if can not acquire proper funding like most novice film makers do, it will have a detrimental affect on the effectiviness of my documentry regardless of how important the topic is.

Food Inc. Documentary

Documentary filmmaker Robert Kenner uses reports from Fast Food Nation to explore where the food we purchase at the grocery store really comes from, and what it means for the health of future generations. By exposing the relationships between businesses and the government, Kenner attempts to educate the public of the dark secrets suppressed by the American food industry. The documentry reveals that the USDA and FDA are not protectecting the public as they allow corporations to put profit ahead of consumer health and even the environment.  The documentry also shines a light on why chicken breasts get bigger and tomatoes are genetically engineered and the negative affects behind it. Furthermore, Kenner reveals that new strains of E. coli are being exposed to our food every year, obesity levels are increaseing, and adult diabetes has reached epidemic proportions. Kenner hopes that this documentary will in-light viewers on the corrupt food industries and how they control every thing we eat.