Introduction 
A Historical Snapshot - Early Years - Visitors - Diversity
Modern Culture - South Beach - Pop Culture
The Art and Architecture - Art Deco A Tourist's Perspective
Works Cited |
 |  http://community.webshots.com/photo/99581908/99584760SyOWwD  http://www.miamibeach411.com/History/photo_ocean_drive_3.html To the untrained eye it would be quite difficult to distinguish between the periods in which the photographs above were taken. The top one is actually quite recent... but has been converted to greyscale and flipped vertically for effect. Though decades have elapsed, the styles of South Beach are quite similar. The Art Deco architecture has continued to be a staple of the oceanfront buildings that line Ocean Drive in South Beach. Very few places in the world allow for someone to enjoy a historical setting with a modern feel; but in South Beach the historical location is the reason for the popularity. The nighttimes images capture the reasons that people from all different countries travel to South Beach.  http://community.webshots.com/photo/99581908/99584226ILrtiJ Buzzing neon lights immediately capture the viewer's attention. These historic hotels have served as the illumination for tourists' journies on Ocean Drive. As a rule of thumb any place worth visiting at night invites with the warm glows of purples, pinks, and torquoise. Other buildings get left aside. Photography also does this. Because the colors are so bright on film they draw the viewer's attention and everything else is left behind. The building on the far left of this photograph is much less prominent then the flashy buildings, even the ones far down the road on the right. These buildings aren't just for show though. Underneath the bright signs are sidewalk and porch cafes and restaurants.  http://community.webshots.com/photo/99581908/99583983CXFkjs The Clevelander, above, features tables along the sidewalk as do most of the hotel/restaurants that line the road. The photograph gives a look into the actions that those visiting South Beach take. Many tourists travel to Miami for a certain expected experience. Author David Rieff described this effect well in saying, "Miami started as a resort; it has always dealt in illusion." (Rieff 25). Photography is the perfect medium in which to project illusions, as long as the photographer is conscience of his composition. Rieff continues, discussing the attraction of tourists to the Miami Vice image of the city. This photograph captures the desire to be seen out in the open. The people present themselves to the public and thereby present themselves to be photographed. It would seem that the outdoor restaurants have as much to do with image as they do with food. This type of flaunting was captured in this photograph, taken by a tourist:  http://community.webshots.com/photo/67598713/67604557hSJwQK Seen in this photo are three very expensive, very nice cars. There is a BMW Z4 in the foreground with a Porche behind it and to the right of that is a Bentley. Two are parked in the perfect location to be showcased and the other is driving along where it can be seen by anyone passing on the road. The photgrapher was either interested in photographing the people walking on the other side of the street (given by the fact that they are the center of the image) or wanted to get both nice cars in the photo and had the third one slide in without them noticing. This reveals the nature and frequency of the moneyed showing off on this famous strip of road.  Photograph by Bob McCabe (Bush 195) |
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