Becci Mansion Assignment

Question - Why did Becci Mansion start this project?

 

Becci Mansion started this project after the occurrence of the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. In the midst of the destruction, photos, SD cards, photo albums, etc. were left wrecked and damaged by bacteria and excessive water exposure. Mansion realized that the collection of the photographs represented a significant part of the peoples lives and it symbolized their past and it felt as though it saddened her in the fact that if these photos were forever lost, these people would lose numerous memories. Mansion acknowledged in her speech how the Japanese people affected by the natural disaster literally had no time to do anything therefore they had to leave everything behind in hopes of surviving. Overall, Becci Mansion wanted to use her skills and talents to aid these people in not only restoring their old "memories" but I feel as though she wanted to give the survivors hope that things could return back to normal after such a great disaster with such a little act.

 

Question - How did she organize people to help with the cause?

 

With the aid of social media sites including Facebook and the site called "Linked In", Becci Mansion was able to organize people to not only help with retouching of the photos but also with the clean up of the effected Japanese country. Also with the help of the charity organization "Habitat For Humanity", Mansion was able to obtain over 500 volunteers to aid with her efforts.

 

 

Question - How can you use your photo skills to help people you know?

 

I do not generally see myself as a great photographer nor do I believe that I am entirely talented at using photo editor programs like Photoshop. Since taking the class digital photography, this is my first year really experiencing with taking photographs and editing them besides what I do personally on my iPhone. When I tried to brainstorm what I could do to aid people with my photo skills, the only thing I could really think of is retouching. I first though of retouching old photographs for my family and friends because it is the project this year that has come easiest to me so far. When I retouched the old man, I actually enjoyed taking my time fixing the mistakes and making use of the variety of tools.

 

 

Question - Is her work important? Why or why not?

 

When I watched the speech that Becci Mansion gave, I genuinely was touched. I had never heard of this artist or her efforts before but within a short period of time, I truly was inspired on a whole other level. I was taught to be down-to-earth growing up therefore I have always felt the need to donate my time to the needy or aid the less fortunate in some way just because I often feel guilty for having things so good when my neighbor could potentially have nothing. It was incredible to me that this artist who personally was not effected by the disaster felt the urge within herself to travel across seas and aid. I think her work is incredibly important. It really takes effort and passion to organize people and donate your own personal time in order to help others; especially with a task like photo retouching that could take an hour or five days to complete. It really touched me how good hearted Becci Mansion seems to be.