"First Shot" by John Edgar Wideman
Method Prompt

The photos within Wideman's essay all show different people playing basketball in different environments. Yet despite the differences, the court seems to remain essentially the same within each and every picture. In the first one, entitled Jump Shot/Tiro con salto, there are a couple of men playing basketball. One is jumping in the air taking a shot, while another is looking on with excitement. The area they are in does not look comfortable. It appears to be empty space with the exception of cluttered garbage on the side of the road. Yet the men do not even appear to notice their environment. It is clear through their facial expressions that they are completely inteterested in the game. It seems as though playing basketball is a form of release for them, and they are in their own world.

Another photo that is similar to the above one is entitled Tamika Catchings. In the picture, a young woman is jumping high in the air to make a shot. Her facial expression is intense, and through this and her body positioning, it is clear that she is devoting all of her energy to the court. Basketball is the only thing that is on her mind. Another picture that supports this interpretation is Silver Springs, Maryland. In it, three men are fighting over the ball. Again, through their facial expressions, it is clear that the men are all involved in a very intense game of basketball. By observing the way they look, it is pretty obvious that they pay no attention to what surrouns them with the exception of the ball and their opponent.

Overall, the pictures may display different people in different environments, but the court remains essentially the same. No matter who is taking the shot or where they are, they are all completely devoting their energy to the ball. They are paying no attention to what else surrounds them, whether it is an urban environment filled with garbage or a suburban clean area. All that matters to the subjects within each photo is that they make the shot. Basketball serves as a release for everyone shown in the photos, regardless of where the game is taking place.