"Ruins of Detroit" Puts American History, Culture in Focus Through Photos
Acclaimed author and artist John Berger once said that photographs are there to remind us of what we forget. In the case of photographers Yves Marchand's and Romain Meffre's Ruins of Detroit, what has been forgotten is a once vibrant urban center transformed into ruin and the flipside of the American Dream.
Ruins of Detroit: American History in its Rawest Form
The last few decades haven't been good to Detroit, dubbed Motor City in honor of its position as the epicenter of the American auto manufacturing industry. When business was good, Detroit flourished, but a rash of cheaper imported cars launched the city's economic decline in the mid 1960s. Racial tensions and riots added fuel to the fire, and downtown Detroit transformed into what some consider both a social and economical ghetto. Today its ruined buildings remain, just barely, to tell the tale.
In their exhibit and book entitled Ruins of Detroit, Marchande and Meffre portray derelict theaters--their ornate chandeliers still intact--and dusty forgotten libraries with books still neatly aligned on the shelves. A disbanded police station with mug shots and crime files strewn about, and crumbling ballrooms once host to the likes of Duke Ellington and Tommy Dorsey. Cultural centers, churches and even dentist offices are captured in what the Guardian describes as seemingly post-apocalyptic imagery.
Photography as a Cultural Medium
Photographers are some of the most dynamic storytellers of our time. A single image captured by capable hands can in an instant alter the viewer's perspective of the world. Marchand's and Meffre's work conveys a powerful message about the splendor, fragility and decline to which even the most powerful nations are susceptible. Some feel Ruin in Detroit is a condemnation of capitalism while others consider it a reminder that the American Dream carries a price. Either way, one thing is sure: Marchande's and Meffre's photographs have ignited a cultural dialogue in a way that very few mediums can. With the right training, you can do the same.
Photography Degrees: All Photographers Must Master the Basics
While some acclaimed photographers are credited with having a "good eye," the truth is photographers of all aptitudes need the same core skills. While some are self-taught, enrolling in an art school photography program allows one to cultivate their talents more quickly with the benefit of ongoing professor feedback. These programs help budding shutterbugs the basics of technique and composition, but also how to manipulate a camera's aperture, shutter speed and focus to capture raw images as they envision them.
Some photography schools offer comprehensive photography degrees while others offer less formal coursework. While talented freelance photographers can get by with minimal credentials, many employers prefer to hire commercial photographers or photojournalists with photography degrees. Note that some art school programs offer online photography degrees. These programs are ideal for those with some photography training and access to the proper equipment and materials; beginners or those without darkroom access may benefit more from face-to-face instruction. Some art schools offer the best of both worlds, combining online photography degrees with classroom instruction in what are called hybrid programs.
Photography Careers Today
Rapidly shifting computer technology has impacted the photography industry as much as it has changed the way its practitioners master their skills: many photographers have abandoned their 35 mm cameras for snazzy digital models. Photographers' versatility has safeguarded their demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, photography careers are expected to grow by 12 percent between 2008 and 2018. Meanwhile, another BLS report notes that the median photographer salary in 2009 was $36,370. Those with photography degrees working in specialized fields, like technical services and photojournalism, tended to earn more, which means that the right art school program can boost your bottom line along with your creativity.
If you're interested in enrolling in a formal photography program, take your time and choose the school that really meets both your needs and personal creative style. Request information from a number of programs and speak with their admissions advisors before settling on one.
