Before I left for Africa, I asked Greg Vestri about how sensitive he thought people were about having their picture taken. He said that it was not much different than most places, just use common sense, and go ahead and ask the subject for their permission first, if possible. Then he mentioned that recently, there has been criticism leveled at photojournalism that focused on poverty. The claim is that a typical photograph of a hungry African child is decontextualized, sentimental, and exploitative.
Honestly, I can see the critics’ point. It’s easy to justify these photographs as a vehicle for spreading a worthwhile message that will inspire people to act in response. The message is probably well-meaning and truthful. Help this hungry child. But as a photographer, I will be the first to tell you that a photograph isn’t truthful at all, even if it is taken honestly, without (obvious) manipulation or modification. Part of it is truthful, but the context will (and should) always be in question.
This is a photo I took of a child at a school near Jinja. I think this is a fair representation of the kind of picture you might see in a save the children campaign, designed to have people running for their checkbooks. This photo was not manipulated in any way, either at the time I took the shot, or in post production. I saw the child sitting outside a classroom and I walked over and took several pictures. In that sense (and in the sense that this child does, in fact, need help), the photo is honest.
What isn’t honest, or at least what is obscured, is the context. What we all forget is that a photographer is usually part of the context. In this case, I walked over to the child and he was looking right at me. What might be perceived as sadness or worry in his expression, might simply be curiosity at seeing a funny looking mzungu. The truth is – the child had that expression on his face, because…
…I hadn’t made him smile yet.
As a student of journalism and a photographer (and now, as someone who takes photographs of poor African children), I am very interested in this debate. If you have any thoughts about the subject, let me know in the Comments section. However, I would like to make a more important point – if these photographs or blog entries about Africa (or anything else) inspire you, then I would urge you to seek the truth for yourself and go see things with your own eyes. I can tell you that even with a lifetime of preparation, nothing was quite like I expected. No photograph, no book, no story could have prepared me for the things that took my breath away. They only inspired me. I didn’t see the truth, until I went to see for myself.
Please pin, tweet, and share! Most importantly, let me know what you think in the comments below.
3 comments
Jimmy, your words are so poignant and touching… really peels back the layers of thought and heart.
And the photos………… you are SO BEAUTIFULLY talented. I would very much like to share this blog and your photos with others… maybe it’s silly to ask your permission, but that’s what I’m doing! …. I mean, it is a blog, and you WANT readers! I certainly would like to pass it on. Is that all right with you?
“I am very interested in this debate. If you have any thoughts about the subject, let me know”
Pictures tell a story. In photojournalism, it tells the story as seen through the eyes of the author. The image may or may not have a message depending on the agenda of the photographer. Like the old example of going to a party and taking pictures, only of what is happening on the living room sofa is not a commentary of the party itself or indicative of the party as a whole. The image or “picture†does tell a story but only a small part of a larger story. It is incumbent of the writer or photographer to put the picture in to context. In the realm of “artâ€, the photographer becomes the artist and very little need be said and the observer is allowed to give meaning to the image. In most cases whether in art or in photojournalism, we will immediately bring to forefront our preconceived ideas of what it is we are seeing. I think that is human nature and if we believe that the image like that of the boy outside the school is a reminder of what work is left undone and that there are those in the world whom have needs, then that is a statement to where we are. Frankly, there are some of us who look at images such as these with thoughts like what nice bokeh, great composition, nice lighting etc. Bottom line, it is documenting and sharing what you have seen.
That is one beautiful photo. It means a lot. I am going to put the picture on my wall. You made me realize how fortunate I am to live in a good life. Thanks