American Soldier

A. What is the most powerful image from the pictures printed in the Denver Post over the three weeks they published images from the year of coverage? Why?

I think the most powerful image was the one taken when he gets put in his place for the first time because it shows him realizing just how serious and challenging the army really is due to this event. I feel like this is where he really understands the army and starts thinking about if he really wants to do this for the rest of his life.

B. How do the images work together to tell a story?

These images work together to tell a story by showing how the people feel depending on what is happening in this moment. While the caption explains what is going on in the photo and somewhat explains how they feel, the pictures what really shows their emotions.

C. How do the captions enhance the photographs?

Captions give the photo more meaning by explaining exactly what is going on in the photo giving us a better understanding of the image and what is going on in it.

D. Summarize the story of Ian Fisher, based just on the captions.

Ian Fisher is a 17 year old man who wants join the army, but first he has to get his high school diploma. Once he gets his diploma he can finally begin his training. With not much time before he has to leave, he gets advice from somebody who has already been through training. Soon Ian starts to says goodbyes to his friends and family having multiple goodbye parties. Before leaving for 14weeks of training, Ian says his last goodbyes and goes on his way. Within the first week of training, Ian realizes how serious the army is, he sees how hardcore the trainers are. As time goes on training, Ian learns many new things, from how to use a gun to how to salute properly. As the 14 weeks of basic training comes to an end, Ian prepares to get his first award in the army. Soon, Ian gets stationed closer to his friends and family, which might take his attention. Later, Ian plans to propose to his girlfriend, which eventually falls through. His father becomes concerned as Ian begins to take pain medication as drugs, they are intended for his injuries but he still takes them even if he doesn't need them. He does a lot more training and his rank gets higher in the army, until he decides ti turn himself in for using drugs, which brings his rank down. Then,Ian goes to Iraq for a year. He soon comes back to his new girlfriend, but has to leave again back to Iraq off and on. After another year in Iraq, he is back for good. He soon marries his girlfriend.

E. For the photos in which Ian is the main subject of the photos, in what tense are the verbs usually written?

 Past tense

F. Break down the captions:

1. How many sentences are they on average?
Three
2. Read the first sentence of a couple of them, what information do they provide?
What is happening in the photo
3. Read the second sentences of a couple of them, what information do they provide?
What you can't see from looking at the picture
4. If there is a third sentence, what information does it provide?
Quotes
5. Do any captions include a quote?
Yes
6. Are there any that have four sentences?
Yes

G. Why do you think it is possible to tell a complete story with just photos and captions?
 
I think it is possible because picture say most of what is going on and the captions just describe the picture and give a little bit of background information which altogether makes a complete story.

H. If you can create a story with just photos and captions, why bother writing a story at all?

Sometimes it is important to give as much background information as possible, and sometimes you don't have all of the photos to tell a story.