UPDATE on New New Deal photography project ...

[ColbertWatcher]

... Wow!

I started the thread to get ideas from everyone and left for a full day's worth of errands ... and look what I found: 112+ recs!

Thank you, DU!

Now, we have to settle on the best name for the project, volunteer photographers, a place to host the images online.

We want to use original images that were taken recently by the submitter, not previously published work. When uploaded to the online host, we need to have a disclaimer that states the images are for use in the New New Deal project.

Another idea might be to present it to someone in government on a certain date, so we'll need a deadline.

It would be nice to set a goal too. Maybe 100 photos by July 4th?

Please post any ideas/suggestions in reply.

Thank you DU!

(All threads related to the New New Deal project will be posted to my journal)

[Fovea]

1. Of the needed issues

Perhaps there is a progressive portal site like the white rose society that would host for us.

How about The Works Photographer's Association, in homage to the WPA of Roosevelt's time?
I suggest that because I think that as well as showing the effects of the banksters depression, documenting the effects of the stimulus package should be a prime objective.


Just two thoughts.

[ColbertWatcher]

2. Great idea. Thank you for posting. n/t

[MichaelHarris]

3. I'll help

but I didn't see the other thread. I know a lot about Dorothea Lange, and Walker Evans. I'm not sure if Margaret Bourke-White was a WPA photographer. I'm on my way to do some street photography in Chicago if that helps.

[ColbertWatcher]

4. Hey, MichaelHarris!

Good to have you on board!

[MichaelHarris]

5. Hiya!

what do you need me to do?

[ColbertWatcher]

6. Well, right now ...

... we're just having people go around and take pictures to document the state of the economy to help open the eyes of people like Limpballs and his listeners.

One suggestion also was to photograph how the stimulus is working out as well. Although, I don't know if any of that is visible just yet.

I believe a few people are working on finding a place to host them online so everything can be in one place.

[quiller4]

18. Stimulus working photo possibilities

There are two major bridge repair projects underway in my state that are stimulus funded. Bridges make more interesting photos than most other highways and there would be action shots available of construction workers, too. I remember WPA bridge construction photos.

[ColbertWatcher]

19. Sounds great!

Try to get as much info as you can about location, maybe a history of the bridge? or, if possible what program funded the repairs.

Make sure you get a date and time for the pictures too!

[merh]

12. here is a link to the other thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5609790

[Cetacea]

7. I might be able to lend a hand. Good idea. n/t

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. The Raw Deal

Raw as in digital photography RAW:

The raw data is called "raw" since it is totally unprocessed. At this point, white balance and other adjustments have not been made and the data is still an exact recording of what each photosite recorded.
http://en.mimi.hu/photography/raw_data.html

And, raw deal as by definition of unfair treatment, stark reality.



...just a thought :think:

[ColbertWatcher]

10. Thank you for your suggestion! n/t

[dgibby]

9. Title: The Face of Trickle Down Economics, or

The Aftermath of Compassionate Conseratism.

[ColbertWatcher]

11. And for this one too! n/t

[FatDave]

13. A suggestion on the naming.

I don't have a specific name, just a guideline. I'd recommend calling the project something politically ambiguous. If you go calling it "The New New Deal" or "The Face of Trickle-Down" you're starting with a major strike against you. Sure, it's catchy, but you'll be immediately disregarded by the very people we need to convince. They'll say "it's all a bunch of liberal claptrap, why should I even bother looking?" You call it The New New Deal or something, then you're back to preaching to the converted, because only the converted will pay attention. And that would be a shame, because I think this project has the potential to sway public opinion in remarkable ways. But you're not going to reach those who need to be swayed if you open with "everything you believe is dead wrong!" or "this is your fault!".

But what do I know, I'm just some asshole that never posts anymore.

[ColbertWatcher]

14. Good point. Thank you for your input.

I only chose "New New Deal" because I wasn't really thinking. (If anything it should be called the New FSA, not New Deal)

But, you are correct, we need to use a name that will "sell" to the GOP wingnuts who are in denial about what is happening in their own country.

When Limpballs says there is no recession and they can see dozens of pictures proving otherwise from all over the country, they may begin to question whether their radio leader really has their best interests at heart.

[Solly Mack]

15. K&R

[ColbertWatcher]

16. ***Suggestion #1***

We need ideas to solve this dilemma: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5609790&mesg_id=5611505

DUer swilton says,

The worst condition that I see in our towns

could not be shown in this type of illustration - unless someone has an idea on how to capture it.
What I see in our small towns is not the presence of poverty - but the absence of local businesses.
Our towns have been colonized by franchise restaurants (Burger Kings, McDonalds, you name it) and military bases. They have urban sprawls rather than main streets - etc., etc. No local produce stores, no local markets or handy-men shops, etc., etc.

This is a great idea - but there has to be a way to capture this phenommenon.

If anyone can help solve this problem, please post in reply.

[blaze]

32. We have a couple streets in town

where there are two or three blocks that are all local business and then the rest are all the 7/11s and BKs and McD's... etc.

Not sure if a side by side shots of the differing blocks would convey the contrast or not. Maybe if the angle and lighting and number of stores was identical, but the content was so different.

Not sure. Just kinda rambling here.

[crispini]

34. I have a suggestion about this.

Many small towns have old down-towns with lots of shops that have been run out of business. These images, juxtaposed with pictures of the urban sprawl, McAnywhere retail suburbs, would be very effective.

OR, another idea here, have everybody participating in the project try to take the identical photograph all over the nation. For example, a shopping strip with the same three or six megastores or national chains, over and over and over again, with the location and name attached. A page of the exact same photograph, over and over again, only in different places, would really go to show exactly how we have turned into McAnywhere, or McAmerica, or Anywhere U.S.A.

[ColbertWatcher]

38. I love your McAmerica idea! Thank you for posting! n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

17. ***Suggestion #2***

Several DUers (arikara, Cleita and I could have sworn many more) suggested contrasting the poverty with the obscene wealth.

Does this sound like something that can be one as well?

[ColbertWatcher]

20. ***TOPIC Suggestion***

Does anyone know how possible it would be to photograph inside hospitals--especially emergency rooms?

What would be a good way to document how bad healthcare is in this country?

All ideas are welcome.

[voc]

21. Why not call it...

"The Future of the GOP"? It will get their attention and might prove to be prescient for them.

[ColbertWatcher]

22. As funny as that is, I don't know if sarcasm would work in our favor.

Welcome to DU, btw.

[voc]

23. You are right...

Thanks for the welcome. I think the concept IS worthwhile. Hopefully by bringing this to the attention of many, it will indeed help get the much needed visuals to those who would deny the pain that this country is in.

[ColbertWatcher]

24. Right now, this is sort of a brainstorming/looking for volunteers thread.

If this interests you, make sure you check out the other thread linked-to in the OP.

[malaise]

25. You should contact KOs Rachels

and Bill Moyer's producers to see if you can't get a 'People's Priorities Panorama' pictures update once a week.

[ColbertWatcher]

26. I have not heard of this. What is it? n/t

[malaise]

27. Just an idea

That's my name for your project :D

[madfloridian]

28. Saw that. Very impressed. Good idea.

:hi:

[ColbertWatcher]

37. Thank you.

It's something almost everyone can be involved in and something we can share with everyone else.

[ColbertWatcher]

29. Kick? n/t

[lunatica]

30. This may be a years long endeavor. Call it 'USA 2009 - ?'

Because it isn't just going to be about losing businesses, jobs and homes and the poor. It will be like a photo essay of what this country looks like right now. The rich, the poor, the homeless, the extravagant, the despair and the hope and the careless greed. As some aspects of the country fall apart others will be burgeoning and we don't know how or where it'll happen.

Example, just having someone take a lot of photos of the teabaggers with their slogans and what they're saying may end up being the pictorial documentation of the demise of the Republican party or the split off of a third party.

Damn I wish I had my old Minolta and the time to wander around my cities!

It will also not turn anyone away, because it won't be anti anything. Just a pictorial historical documentation. Showing the truth will make it liberal though. Truth is like that.

[ColbertWatcher]

35. Catchy. I like it! n/t

[blaze]

31. Could the title simply be

Today's Economy

Broad enough to cover personal and business... and isn't political

[ColbertWatcher]

36. True, and it could include more countries besides just the US.

I like the one just above you, I'll put it up to a vote once we get a few more.

Thank you.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[chollybocker]

39. This is a great idea.

Project name suggestion:

photo:proof