Wing Young Huie's Work

Fourth of July, Powderhorn Park, Minneapolis, MN
Lake Street USA (1997-2000)

When I first observed this photograph, I thought it was a beautiful, well-timed piece of art. It takes talent to take a quality picture of an on-going fireworks show and I was very impressed. The black and white just adds to the beauty of it. A color picture would not make the photo as unique as it is because color pictures of Fourth of July are too common. It gives the photograph that "classic summer night" type of feel. The scenery is also very breathtaking in this picture. The glowing moonlight reflecting off the lake at night with three people looking on at the scene is just genius.

This a representation of what makes the United States of America the greatest country in the world and why everyone loves summer nights. This is a summer evening in the America represented in one picture. Everyone is gathered around the lake; cooking out on their dock, laying out on the grass, and enjoying a great fireworks show on our country's day of independence. The lake is a symbol of summer and so are fireworks. There are many lakes in Michigan and that's why Huie chose this spot of scenery. The lights of the lake houses, the black and white choice of color, and the trees surrounding the lake at night just make this photo more and more gorgeous.

Photo citation: http://know.wingyounghuie.com/


Both Young Huie and Margaret Atwood present the concept of "othering" through image, color, and layout. Young Huie uses black and white to make the photo more unique and takes in the photo from a sort of panoramic perspective. He wanted his audience to get the whole picure and create expectations of what a summer night in Michigan looks like. It sort of creates a stereotype and one-view perception, but he tries to create a beautiful image.