Class outing - Jim Goldberg

I found the Jim Goldberg exhibition Open See very moving because of the harrowing stories of asylum seekers. However, the photographs that I liked were those least graphically illustrating that theme. In fact, I sometimes wondered whether they belonged to the project at all, both because they didn't match that theme and also because the format was different. I suppose the large format photographs, as opposed to the small Polaroid snaps with written stories, more illustrated the hopefulness of the subjects. The young man in the photograph below looks very well-kempt and seems to be soon to have a good feed. I love the black-white contrast and in particular the pale delicacy of the dried corn husks aganist the black.

The photograph I liked best, of a Congolese family in front of their tent, I can't find a copy of on Google images. I thought it was a brilliant composition in which Goldberg had managed to engage all the personalities of the people depicted as well as their unity as a family. Technically, it was quite a dark photo but I liked this and it reminded me of a woodcut print.