Powerful photos *warning: sensitive subjects*

[RMThompson]

Most interesting about that photo of General Nguyen Ngoc Loan is that they were going to execute him inside, but they moved it to the outside so it would photograph better.

 

[Corry]

I find there is often a very fine line in between a powerful thought-provoking image and one that was taken solely for the reason of explotation. During my trip to Sierra Leone, I was constantly told by the head people to avoid "poverty porn" as they so called it - essentially, the images we are constantly bombarded with of 'poor starving kids in Africa with flies in their eyes'. It is definitely a reality, and a reality that should be brought attention to, but we are now essentially 'immune' to these images.

At the same time, if we were to hear of an event such as the one of Kim Phuc, how much thought would be put to it? Perhaps it is just me but images are so impactful. Seeing a face to a description makes it hit so much closer to home.

Just my $0.02

Not so interesting fact, but the Tiananmen Square protests ended the day I was born, the same day "The Unknown Rebel" image was taken. Completely random, but hey.

Yet another good point to bring up. We really have been bombarded with images such as that....and you're right....we've become immune to it. I've noticed that even I seem to just pass those types of photos over.

 

[deanimator]

How many here have seen the film "War Photographer"?
It´s a doco about James Nachtway...interesting to watch him at work, and see the photos, but also interesting is the impact this work has had on his life.

It´s another "must" for people following this thread if they haven´t already seen it.

 

[The_Traveler]

How many here have seen the film "War Photographer"?
It´s a doco about James Nachtway...interesting to watch him at work, and see the photos, but also interesting is the impact this work has had on his life.

It´s another "must" for people following this thread if they haven´t already seen it.

It's on Netflix and I just put it next in my queue.

 

[Choleric]

I actually had not seen that photo before. And yes, it is very powerful.

It seems it is most often the bad things that become such powerful images....

...can anyone think of a GOOD image that might be comparable?

 

[danir]

It seems it is most often the bad things that become such powerful images....

...can anyone think of a GOOD image that might be comparable?

I think this can be generalized to all media. Music, literature, movies, poetry etc.

We are just more sensitive to horribles than to pleasantness.

Dani.

 

[Jon_Are]

Love the Bobby Orr photo.

How about this famous Rock N Roll shot...

http://snaps.snapsoid.com/~rock-and-roll_assasins_lee-harvey-oswald#snapsbig

Jon

 

[Alpha]

I was always blown away by Banksy's interpretation of that shot from Vietnam. Then again, IMO he's one of the most brilliant socially conscientious artists of our time.

http://banksy.co.uk/indoors/images/feeling5.jpg

 

[craig]

Whoa! That link is on point. I will have to check out Bansky's work for sure.

Love & Bass

 

[TDSapp]

I used to be a fire fighter in OKC and worked with Chris. I was glad that I was not there on the day of the bombing.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Firefighterbabyocb.jpg


Tim Sapp

 

[RaptorRex]

Since reading this article,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/14/AR2006111401312_pf.html

I realize just how important cellphone cameras are now and what huge impacts they will have in the future. It is a little unnerving to know every step that we take outside our homes is on camera. But cameras in our own hands help balance the equation.