Impact Photography

Richard Drew, The Falling Man, (2001)

Eddie Adams, Saigon Execution, (1968)

Henry Singer, 9/11: The Falling Man, (2012)

Kevin Carter, The Vulture and The Child, (1993)

Photographs are taken for many different reasons. Many of them being every day 'snaps' as I like to call them which we often take on our phones, send them to friends of virally share them on social networking sites. Many photographs are taken as memories...a day out, a funny moment or an occasion. However, what has really caught my eye this week are photographs which have an impact on ourselves and society.

Kevin Carter is the creator of one of these images, called 'The Vulture and The Child'. This image was taken in Sudan in 1993 whilst he was away with an aim of photographing the starving child making her way to a feeding centre. It was at that moment that a vulture landed close by. This image was published in the New York Times; creating an uproar of criticism and debate as to whether Carter should have saved the young girl or not. Despite winning a prize for this image in 1994, he could not celebrate due to the impact the image had on the world and guilt he was made to feel.

Similarly, reporting on the attack of the New York twin towers was Richard Drew, who captured the much spoke about image, 'The Falling Man'. Despite stating that the image made him feel like he had been 'punched in the stomach' and comparing it to the feeling he got when seeing Eddie Adams' famous shot of an execution in Vietnam (9/11:The Falling Man (documentary)); Michael Hirsch (Business editor for The Morning Call) still agreed for the image to be published to the country. However, after much uproar, it was concluded that this image would never be published again for the sake of the subject's family and that it was not the right image to represent the attack.

I find these images incredibly inspiring as they not only create an interest but as previously mentioned, they have an impact on everyone.

References.

Richard Drew, (2001), The Falling Man, Available at: http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0903-SEP_FALLINGMAN [Accessed, 20 March 2014]

Eddie Adams, (1968), Saigon Execution, Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1161074/EPHRAIM-HARDCASTLE-Pictures-lie--Saigon-execution-photographer-disturbed-use-image.html [Accessed, 23 March 2014]

Henry Singer, (2001), 9/11: The Falling Man, Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3gbxJ4xUDE [Accessed, 21 March 2014]

Kevin Carter, (1993), The Vulture and The Child, Available at: http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/vulture-stalking-a-child/ [Accessed, 20 March 2014]

Semiotics

This week included a first for me. The first time i have heard of Semiotics; the study of signs. Ferdinand de Saussure stated that ‘[it is] possible to conceive of a science which studies the role of signs as part of social life’ [Saussure 1983, 15-16] and so, did that by founding Semiotics and Linguistics. Signs can be basic, such as road signs or star signs; ones that everyone sees regularly and have become accustomed to knowing. However, what I have found more interesting are those signs within photographs and paintings. Within an image or painting, or even a film, a rose for example is classed as a signifier; a physical form. However, the significance of this rose would be love which we unconsciously recognise. To describe the relationship between the signifier and the significance, the words connotation and denotation can be used. Denotation is the literal meaning of the word, and connotation is the association which the word creates, again seen in the situation with the rose and the emotion. This theory was explained by semiotician and philosopher Roland Barthes. However, he expressed how the connotation of a subject can be perceived differently by various cultures in many of his books, but mostly in Mythologies [Barthes, R (2009). Mythologies. New York: Vintage Classics.]

I intend to continue reading a few of his books and developing my knowledge in Semiotics.

Behind the Mask

Annie Leibovitz, Demi Moore (1991)

Andy Gotts, Thandie Newton (2006) 

In a recent visit to London's Somerset House, I, as a photography student, was pleased to come across a portrait exhibition from photographer, Andy Gotts, within the sequence Behind the Mask. 

This exhibition contained black and white images of over one hundred actors and actresses of whom have been previously nominated or have won a BAFTA since 1954. It seems strange that out of so many black and white portraits, that not one of them was similar. Within each and every image, Gotts managed to capture the essence and personality of each individual, showing his commitment and consideration when shooting. This reminded me a lot of the work of Annie Leibovitz. During the early stages of her work for magazines such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, time and consideration were vital factors to the success of her work. 

One of my favourite images of Gotts' was that of Thandie Newton. Soft lighting and light pink flowers were used within this image to portray an innocent, feminine feel, showing how small touches can make such a difference on an image and express a personality so vividly.

Andys Gotts' work was spread over six rooms throughout Somerset House and is highly recommendable to those interested in Photography or not. 

References

Annie Leibovitz, (1991), Demi Moore, Available at: http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2012/09/annie-leibovitz-photography-exhibition-wexner_slideshow_item1_2 [Accessed 12 February 2014]

Andy Gotts, (2006), Thandie Newton, Available at: http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1358306/thandie-newton.jpg [Accessed 12 February 2014]

First Blog!

Hello! To all those who blog themselves or just have an interest in blogs, I am a complete beginner myself! I’m a 19-year-old student at the University of East London, studying BA Photography. As part of my first year, I have been set the task to create a 200 word blog a week for 12 weeks.

I don’t have any previous experience with blogs and so have found it difficult to begin, however, I’m hoping it will get easier week-by-week.

Each week I will attend an exhibition, read a book or research a photographer or artist in order to create a blog and will be recommending any I feel are of importance. Throughout this 12 week experience, I will be sharing my interests and experiences with you from the works of photographers and artists, to the various collections within exhibitions and galleries I have attended.

I will aim to keep the blogs light hearted and interesting so keep reading!