A Comparison of Beauty and Pain

Signed "Bette Midler, New York City", 1979 By Annie Leibovitz

http://www.charitybuzz.com/celebrities/12/catalog_items/79843

             The film, “Life Through a Lens, ” directed by Barbara Leibovitz, is a true story about Annie Leibovitz’s life as a stage photographer, and why is she is successful in her career. She expresses that “the camera is another member of her family.” This reveals the foundation of her passions, paths and love for being a photographer. I really like the way she approaches others in order to take a real photo to represent each group. I have learned from Annie that inorder to take a real photo you have to become part of the group and willing to spend time to get to know these people first hand. Also not only capable of capturing others’ character and attitude in each photo, but is also able to pick the best photo out of hundreds. The light, pose and attitude of each photo directly determine the reason why she picks one particular photo out of hundreds.

Bolle photographed by Annie Leibovitz

http://www.flickr.com/photos/79557845%40N00/3075006579/

Rwanda, 1994 - Survivor of Hutu death camp By James Nachtwey 

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

            The film, “War Photographer,” is about James Natchwey’s experiences in capturing adversity and suffering. In the beginning of the film, he was taking a photo in front of a firing house. It was such a sensitive and touching moment when I saw him wiping his tears from the smoky air. He ignored the dangers of standing around the house which was falling apart and instead continued to focus on his work. He was accepted by these suffering people as they opened up and showed the world how their life was during the war period. In each black and white photo, he is able to capture the pain of losing one's family, the facial expression shows the painfulness, loneliness and helpless of one feels under such extreme conditions. I have learned these precious and misery moment photos are taken in such a dangerous environment. You need to be very brave running around to take the photos near the grenade or fire and take photo of every moment because you never know what would happened in next second. The photos are able to show us one’s suffering as a result of the war and the difficult life experiences of death and pain that one faces during war. He powerfully renders history and the past through a sense of humanity.

For more information about James Natchwey, please check below link: 

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

Chechnya, 1998 - Ruins of central Grozny By James Nachtwey

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

Romania, 1990 - An orphanage for "incurables" By James Nachtwey
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/

My Host Dad (Otoosan)

We often chat during the dinner time.

             My host dad’s name is Kawamukai Akira. He was born in 1952 and grew up in Osaka City. He received his first radio license when he was seventeen. He works extremely hard to achieve his goals. He used to own a bakery when he was thirty-three. He is proud that he was able to make 640 cakes with his other co-workers before Christmas Eve. He bought his first car after Christmas as a present, and that motivated him to work even harder. To give his family a better future, he sacrificed his own freedom; he used to have 5 days off per year. Although he owns a big house in Osaka after 10 years of hard work, his body is no longer as healthy as before. He understand that he isn’t as young as he used to be and so he can’t handle that kind of job any more. 

My otoosan is teaching me how to make a cake.

              Since he could no longer experience the happiness that existed in his bakery, he decided to seek another career with his skill of fixing radios. Now he owns a radio repair company. He enjoys fixing and making radios during his free time. Although, sometimes he has to travel back and forth at midnight between his customers’ locations.

This is the first cake I ever mde before.

              Besides being a hard worker, he is also very fun-loving, outgoing and willing to share his happiness with everyone around him. He always carries his smile everywhere he goes, and brightens everyone’s day. He knows the majority of our neighbors, and they are always friendly to him. I am impressed that he had the courage to change his career.

My otoosan own 6 dogs, he loves them a lot.