The chronicle of human experience has been a driving force in photography for as long as the medium has existed. For Eli Reed, the task goes much further than mere experience, but extends to the inner lives of the people in front of the lens. Born in New Jersey, Eli Reed began his artistic journey at the Newark School of Fine Art studying illustration. Shortly after graduating in 1969, he began working as a freelance photographer. His work in Guatemala, El Salvador, and other Central American countries earned him recognition by Magnum in 1982, and he would eventually become a full-time member six years later. It was during this time that he began his extensive work in the film industry as a stills and specials photographer for major films, including Say No to Plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Five Heartbeats (1991), Poetic Justice (1992), and 8 Mile (2002). Yet Reed remained true to his photojournalistic roots with the publication of his books on Beirut (1983-1987), the United States in Panama (1989), and, most notably, Black in America. This book, written over more than 20 years (from the 1970s to the late 1990s), details both some of the most dramatic events in civil rights history and the daily lives of America's black population. It is from this collection that I chose the image for this presentation. This photograph is particularly striking for several reasons. The sadness surrounding the children creates a stark contrast; juxtaposing the innocence of youth with destruction in a hopeless environment. The children treat the abandoned car like a toy, demonstrating their blissful ignorance of their situation. Despite this, they stand proudly, reflecting the buildings around them. Compositionally, the way the silhouette of the car reflects the shape of the horizon across the street is almost like a mirror, which helps guide the eye toward the children atop the car , then towards the open window and finally towards the trunk. . Eli Reed has always been fascinated by the lives of African Americans, with an emphasis on racial equality and the hardships of inner-city life. Without any particular fascination with the grandeur of any one event, the images in Black in America range from the smallest details of everyday life to the small details of major civil rights events. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a paper custom now from our expert editors. Get a Personalized Essay For Reed, the appeal of his work lies in the lives of the people he photographs, and as he says: "The bottom line for me is that I'm happy to have been able to work as a as a professional photographer. What is at the heart of my work is, essentially, a meditation on being a human being. The emphasis on humanity is clear in his work, fascinated by the vibrancy of Harlem's people and culture. Even outside of this series, Reed has made it his goal to capture the tribulations of humanity across the globe. work that allows anyone from around the world to see the essence of what makes humanity what it is. Reed's eye for composition and detail adds to the narrative and emotional qualities of his work, allowing him to strike the perfect balance between social consciousness and social awareness. visually striking