Narrating the human experience has been a driving force for photography for as long as the medium has existed. For Eli Reed the task goes far beyond simple experience, but enters the inner life of the people in front of the camera. 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 from Magnum in 1982, of which he became a full-time member six years later. It was around this time that he began his extensive work in the film industry as a still and special photographer for major films, including I Say No to Plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The Five Heartbeats (1991), Poetic Justice (1992), and 8 Mile (2002). However, 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, made over 20 years (from the 1970s to the late 1990s), details both some of the most dramatic events in the history of civil rights 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 a number of reasons. The desolation surrounding the children creates a striking contrast; contrasting youthful innocence with destruction in a hopeless environment. The boys treat the abandoned car like a toy, speaking in blissful ignorance of their situation. Despite this they stand proudly tall, mirroring the buildings around them. Compositionally, the way the silhouette of the car reflects the shape of the skyline across the street is almost like a mirror, which helps guide the eye towards the children on the roof of the car, then towards the window open and then towards the trunk. . Eli Reed has always been fascinated by the lives of African Americans, with a particular focus on racial equality and the difficulties of inner-city life. With no particular fascination with the grandeur of an event, the focus of the images in Black in America ranges from the minutiae of everyday life to the small details of major civil rights events. Please note: this is just an example. Get a customization now from our expert writers. Get a Custom Essay For Reed, the appeal of his work lies in the lives of the people he is photographing, and as he says: "The most important thing for me is that I am happy that I have been able to work as a professional photographer. What is at the heart of my work is, in essence, a meditation on the human being. The emphasis on humanity is clear in his work, captivated by the vibrancy of the population and culture of Harlem set as his life's goal to capture the tribulations of humanity around the world a work that allows anyone from around the world to see the essence of what makes humanity what it is the composition and detail adds to the narrative and emotional qualities of his work, allowing him to find the perfect balance between being socially conscious and visually striking