Capture Change: Exploring the Image of Real-World Photographers - Essay Sample

Introduction

Photography is the art of capturing and developing images by recording light either electronically or chemically. Images are captured to serve as a way of passing ideas such as feelings towards certain circumstances. Capturing images in the form of pictures helps individuals who are not in the scene to offer help; thus photography brings change. "While scholars have reviewed characterizations of photographers in feature films, they have neglected the image of real-world photographers in the documentary genre." (Kyle, 2016). James Nachtwey was an American photojournalist who captured images of wars, culture and civil affairs. Nachtwey's work was to pass ideas and feelings of those who engaged themselves on wars and the war effects. Below are some of the images illustrating the work of Jim Natchwey that he captured during his work as a photojournalist. The photos were retrieved from James Nachtwey the photographer Archives. ( 2016).

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Picture 1

This image (1) is of a man kneeling in front of a grave. Many graves are seen surrounding the man. Theme color of the image is black and white symbolizing sorrowful. The man is focusing on the grave to show how emotional he feels for the departed soul. The picture expresses the outcomes of wars and unrests in a country which is mostly the death of the loved ones

Picture 2

This image (2) portrays two buildings which are far apart from each other. The two buildings are different symbolizing two different nations. A cross is in between the two buildings which means that the two countries are religiously diverse. Smoke is just adjacent to the cross and in between the premises which is a sign of danger and war. Thus the picture represents the religious war between the two nations.

Picture 3

Picture (3) above shows a soldier holding a person. The soldier is focusing his eyes in front of him which is a sign that he is so much alert in case of an attack. Holding someone on his arms is a sign of compassion, love, and protection. The soldier is ready to serve humanity at the expense of his life. The background of the picture is light to symbolize hope for survival and victory from the war between nations. The color used is the same to represent equality which is serving humanity without discrimination.

Picture 4

Two men appear in the above picture (4). This was a picture of the civil war between ethnic Croats and Bosnians. However, one man's head is not visible. The man whose image is evident is in a hurry to extinguish a fire. There is a symbol of light on the hands which is a sign that he is ready for any danger despite the circumstances. The lightness of the image ceases on the side featuring the man with no head which is a sign of hopeless. The invisible man seems undetermined to face a difficult situation with boldness.

Picture 5

The above image (5) portrays a man walking on wires. The wires have sharp ends, but the man is still determined. The man is strictly focusing on something with his eyes. Above the man, there is the lighting, but beneath him, there is darkness symbolizing danger and painful moments. The theme of the picture is determined. Someone should be ready to walk through hardships to get good returns at the end.

Picture 6

The above figure (6) shows a man whose face has recovered from severe burns. The man is in deep thought looking downwards. Facial expression is a sign that the man is sad over something. He is probably reviewing on how he got those injuries on his face. The picture is darkly blurred on the side the man is looking at symbolizing hopelessness.

Nachtwey's images are a form of passing ideas and information. Ideas moved to include compassion, care, regrets, and determination. Furthermore, the images act as a form of reconciling fighting nation by portraying the dangerous effects of engaging in war. Images also pass information which is not biased. Confidence is also significantly represented.

Conclusion

In conclusion, photography is a very important part as it has a significant influence on the media industry. Photography communicates emotions and feelings which cannot be spoken in words. In his work, Nachtwey emphasizes the role of the photojournalist as an objective witness. Images have a more significant impact on the minds as they involve visual displays. , therefore, be highly honored.

References

James, N (2016). James Nachtwey Archive, Hood Museum of Art. Retrieved from, HYPERLINK "http://www.news.dartmouth.edu" http://www.news.dartmouth.edu

McDaniel, K. (2016). Shooting the Shooter: The Image of Professional Photographers in Contemporary Documentary Film. Visual Communication Quarterly, 23(1), 14-25.