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Since the invention of the camera and even before it’s birth, humans have always wanted to document interpretations and events throughout history. As part of my Journalism course I have chosen to look at a range of photographers and photojournalists who capture what I believe are inspirational photographs throughout a range of different eras; from the first world war to modern day. Since the initial existence of the camera, the photograph has been more than merely capturing a moment in time, it provides opinions, questions, the photographers own interpretation of events cleverly composed in one single shot. These were some photographers whose work I found particularly interesting.
Nick Ut is well known for his work in capturing the terror of the Vietnam war, at only 21 years old, he captured this shocking photo which would fulfil his intentions of portraying a side of the war which would encourage its end as it hit the American media. On 8th June 1972, Nick Ut was travelling on a highway near the Cambodian border, where he consequently found refugees which had been bombed out of their villages by the Southern Vietnamese military, on this particular day they had been wrongly mistaken as soldiers of the Vietcong and an air attack was launched upon them. The bombs contained Napalm which severely burns the skin and Ut recognised this as the refugees ran towards him in pain. He took this opportunity to capture the real tragedy of war in hope it would reflect the monstrosities and loss of life those back home were not aware of. He took a photo and put his camera away to help the naked little girl, Kim Phuc aged 9. He gave her water, wrapped her in his coat and drove her 40 minutes to an American hospital, convincing them to treat her with the influence of his media pass. Kim survived her injuries but had to remain in hospital receiving a years worth of surgery before she could be released. Ut and Kim have remained friends ever since and although at the time Kim was opposed to the photo due to her portrayal, but her opinion softened as she claimed in an interview in 2002 to AP "I can accept the picture as a powerful gift,’. I find Nick Ut’s photojournalism work and in particular this photo, inspirational because it says so much for the voices of the Vietnamese which were just citizens of the country which would have otherwise have been unheard by US media and I think this really shows evidence as to how important the role of a photojournalist can be. The photo really reflects the rawness of warfare, which many don’t experience from their front living room and even Ut himself said in an interview 42 years later to AP “Never in my life have I seen what I saw”. The photo was controversial in it’s release due to the depiction of the girl and the graphic imagery but in my own opinion I feel this was necessary to open the public’s eyes to the real terror of war, especially in America where much of the media would have been selected and filtered. It’s a photo that represents so much and the message indicates that this wasn’t a war between soldiers, it was a war where nothing was to be gained.
Horst Faas:
Horst Faas was a German photojournalist famous for his graphic raw images in war zones such as his coverage in the Congo and especially the Vietnam war. In 1961, he took this photo whilst covering the Congo, at a hospital in Miabi, South Kasai. Many were in short supply of food and in deteriorating health and Faas captured a moment in which Congolese aid were distributing dry fish and palm oil to the public. I find Faas’s work and in particular this photograph inspirational as I feel it captures the desperation of hunger felt at the time. Faas’s work possesses a graphic depiction of hardship and emotion throughout his photographs in many different settings and surroundings; the aspect of personal experience and what it is to be human in these circumstances never failed to be captured.
Robert Capa:
Robert Capa was a famous photojournalist operating throughout World War 2 until the Vietnam War, where he was tragically killed when stepping on a land mine whilst working. I find his work inspirational as I believe when looking at his photographs, he captured the rawness and reality of warfare from interesting multiple perspectives. It’s as if Capa includes two views; the first being the observer is in the situation and the second being the observer as an outsider watching the situation unfold. I think this photograph in particular is very poignant as it conflicts with British and American propaganda during World War Two. The American soldier seems to be perpetrator of violence here, his identity is hidden behind his military armour (his helmet) and therefore the observer has no human connection with him; the crisp white background of the snow also highlights the clear bold black outline of the gun which enhances the idea of violence. The German soldier however, portrayed as enemy in propaganda within Britain and America seems to be portrayed as the innocent one of the two, his position of surrender makes him seem vulnerable and the fact the observer can clearly see the fear on his face suggests the 'enemy' is in fact just as human too. In this cleverly taken shot I believe Capa poses the question of whether it is the uniform, the concept and actions of warfare which are actually the enemy rather than the humans which lie underneath the uniform from both sides.
David Bailey:
David Bailey was a photographer and film maker best known for his work in fashion. In 1959 he graduated from the role of assistant under John French. From there onwards he began the 1960's with a contract with Vogue. During his time he produced some iconic portraiture work which would be a key inspiration for what the role of photographer meant and played a central role in the 'Swinging Sixties' movement. I find this photograph particularly interesting as it's concept and composition is very simple but it still creates attention from the observer through the use of the centralisation of the model (Twiggy). The make up and hair of Twiggy is very stylistic and the patterned jumper curves round her neck to emphasise the smooth round shapes of both her hair and her facial features. The black and white keeps the consistency with the theme of simplicity and this combined withe the composition allows us to focus solely on Twiggy herself. This is the reason why I believe Bailey's work to be inspirational and this is also what makes his portraits iconic.
John Rankin:
John Rankin is a well known fashion photographer, whilst studying at London College of Printing he met Jefferson Hack where they began a working relationship, publishing their magazine 'Dazed and Confused' once graduated. Since then, Rankin has published a number of other magazines which all include photographical qualities, and he has furthermore used these skills to promote charity campaigns such as Women's Aid's 'What's it going to take?'. I find this photograph in particular interesting as I love the way Rankin really saturates the colour to form a superficial effect which can be seen consistantly throughout his work. I feel this photograph comments on the media's link to looks, consumerism in the beauty and grooming industry and the constant emphasis in society of the idea of being perfect and beautiful. The composition is slightly unnerving like the pressure on people to be beautiful and I think this is really reflected through the subjects of the piece being recognisably human but in a surreal composition.
