Social Issue Project Proposal

I would like to build my advertising campaign around gender based violence awareness. My personal reason for choosing this issue is that I really believe in GBV awareness. I am doing a research paper on it so I am very well educated on the subject. People should be concerned because 35% of people are victims of GBV or domestic violence in their lifetimes, and a lot of people do not know that there is help available and people to talk to. I will motivate people by showing that it could happen to anyone, male or female. Also, it is important to know what GBV is because many victims do not even know that they are victims. GBV is any act of physical, sexual or psychological violence acted on a person, catalyzed by their gender. In foreign countries, such as Lebanon or Pakistan, gender based violence is very prevalent because of the other social issues that they have. This is important, but there is also a lot of this occurring in the United States, all around us. 

Social Issues

Social Issue Ideas

drug abuse
gay rights
drinking & driving

diversity

abortion

tattoos

mixed families

smoking

gun rights

cliques

stereotypes

police brutality

environment
bullying
cancer awareness

discrimination

gender bias

animal rights

child soldiers

teen pregnancy

slave workers

getting outside

technology dependence

hunger & poverty

danger of technology
obesity & health
eating disorders

texting & driving

religion

food industry

child abuse

domestic abuse

divorce

stress

depression/suicide

terrorism

school shootings
video games
immigration

Social Issue Ad Campaign Examples

Technically, this ad is good because it looks very real, and is taken at a good angle.
Conceptually, I think that is social issue is very important and doesn't receive enough attention.
Creatively, I think the three dimensional aspect to this ad makes it interesting to look at.

Technically, I think that the way that the search bar covers her mouth makes the point very powerful.
Conceptually, this idea of gender equality is very important to me.
Creatively, I think the digital modification of this photograph made it very unique and interesting.

Technically, The idea of cutting of the model's head and using the seatbelt was a wise way to take the shot to make
the point that they wanted to make.
Conceptually, I do not connect particularly with the subject matter, but I do know that it is important.
Creatively, I love the unique was it is shot. It is cool and really gets the point across.

Photojournalism - Modern Mayans

Modern Mayans

By Lucy Hummer

Just inside the dividing fence, the first tower
was climbing by several tourists. The stairs are
tall and narrow, forcing  the climber to emulate
a slithering snake, the primary Mayan God.

“The Mayan people had the first form of currency; do you know what it was? Chocolate. They paid each other with chocolate,” Sergio the tour guide informed his interested audience about the Mayan people of Mexico. On December 1^st, 2014, eighty excited tourists listened to Sergio talk about the ancient Mayans, as they walked through Ek Balam, an ancient city of the Mayans. It was a sunny day, ramped with humidity and mosquitos. The two-hour bus ride through the Mexican jungle was long, but it could not be felt because Sergio filled the time with coffee, cookies and information.  Once the trip was finished, everyone flew off the bus, and was greeted by four hungry dogs, living on the city grounds. “I wish I could take them all home with me,” a young boy exclaimed as he looked at their visible ribs and puppy eyes. After Sergio fed the dogs biscuits and water, he led the group into the city. After a small introduction and explanation, Sergio let everyone go free to explore the expansive, fenced in area. “The area inside of the fence was only for the royal elite,” Sergio explained, “all of the regular people lived outside of the fence… in the jungle”. Many people made the climb up to the top of the huge main tower, only those afraid of heights stayed at the bottom.

After climbing the 107 steps to the top of the main
tower, two tourists enjoyed the view from the top. The
towers are in the middle of the Mexican jungle, which
is all that can be seen in all directions.

By touring Ek Balam and reading signs written in
Spanish, a tourist learned about the caste system
of this Mayan temple.

The tour guide, Sergio, fed hungry dogs
that live on the grounds every time he
gives tours of Ek Balam.

Hoping to make some money for their communities, two Mayan
men posed for tourists' photographs.

After an expansive period dedicated to going in and out of temples and up and down flights of stairs, it was time for lunch. This meal was going to be held in a real Mexican town were people are still living, so another ride through the jungle needed to be done. Once there, the tourists were greeted by smiling Mayans ready to welcome their guests. While the meal of chicken, beans and rice was getting prepared, Sergio showed everyone the magic that is obsidian, and told stories of the healing and luck that it has done for centuries. Everyone then walked through the city, able to see in to the many huts full of families, elated to share their homes. The Mayan people were clearly proud of their roots, forever ready to share their beginnings in Ek Balam.

Ek Balam Gallery

Obsidian, known as the stone of energy, was sold
everywhere in the Mayan communities. It is
said to heal people, and give good luck. 

Inside a village where people still live as Mayans,
a women spent her day weaving on
a wooden loom.

A Mayan women entertained guests of the village
with her upbeat dancing. She was able to balance a
full bottle of beer on her head throughout
the entire dance. 

Photojournalism Shooting Assignment

I really loved taking photos of this tour of the ancient Mayan city Ek Balam. I think it was a perfect event, and it had a lot of things to photograph. There were a lot of people taking pictures, so it was easy for me to blend in and get candid shots. Also, there are a lot of stories involved with Ek Balam and the Mayan city that I went to, so the article will write itself.