American Soldier

 

A) I think that this is the most powerful picture because it shows Fisher and the other soldiers getting in position but they are all probably nervous about their journey and if they are going to come out alive in the end. 

B) The images work together because they all go in order to tell his story as a soldier. They start with him as a young soldier and then later he ends up getting married after coming back from Iraq.

C) Captions enhance the photo by explaining what is going on in the photo and what is yet to come. The captions also help give more detail on what might not be able to be taken away by just the picture.

D) Ian started as a young soldier who was hurt. He then confirmed that he was going to be enlisted in the army. Ian then graduates high school and meets in the army recruiting office to discuss what training is like and what to expect in Iraq. His family and friends threw goodbye parties for him, sad to see him go. Ian says bye to his family and gets ready for training. Ian has second thoughts as he receives many commands and very little sleep. Ian hurt his elbow which brings back pain from a injury from his childhood. Ian and his bunk mates give each other talks to keep each other in line during basic training. They get their first weapons at the beginning of training. Training gets more intense as the soldiers are put into position and hit by simulated bombs. Ian says prayers to God to help take some of the pressure off. On December 15, 2007, on his weekend off, he takes his girlfriend, Kayla, to look for an engagement ring. Ian left basic training and joined 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division and will have 11 months to prepare for Iraq. Ian has more injuries and is on a lot of drug use. His dad believes that his breakup with Kayla in 2008 contributes a little to this problem. Ian gets baptized on July 13, 2008.  On September 3, 2008 he departs for Iraq for his year long deployment. Ian is welcomed home on August 21, 2009 by his girlfriend, Devin, and his friends and family. On August 24, 2009 Ian and his girlfriend, Devin, get married in a quiet courtroom.

E) The verbs are usually written in present tense as if the actions in the pictures are happening now.

F)

1. The captions are usually 2-3 sentences long.
2. The first sentence usually provides when and where the picture is taking place and who is in the picture.
3. The second sentence in the caption usually gives background information on the image.
4. The third sentence is usually a quote or more background information not provided in the second sentence.
5. Some of the longer captions include a quote.
6. A handful of the captions have four sentences.

G) I think it is possible to tell what is happening in the story with just the pictures and captions because the pictures often go along with the story to show what is happening in the story. The captions pretty much summarize the story but still give all of the details.

H) I think that you would be able to tell a story with just pictures and captions. The actual written story helps explain all the details and run down of the story that might not be shown or explained in the pictures or captions.