Two distinctively different photographers, both Annie Leibovitz and James Nachtwey are inspirational in their work. Annie Leibovitz is constantly capturing the most perfect and beautiful picture with elaborate costumes and stages. She knows exactly what will make her pictures strikingly remarkable, and even emphasizes the importance of editing the photos to bring out the qualities of a scene. Although her work is mainly of celebrities, Leibovitz is able to offer a sort of magical experience through her images. Nachtwey, however, takes a less glamorous approach, but his photos still leave a lasting impression on the viewer. His photos are constantly taken as he sees the subject, raw and without any make-up, and completed with minimal edits. Nevertheless, Nachtwey grips the viewers' attention through the grotesque, heart-wrenching and vivid images of war and other malices in the world. Perhaps, it is their differences which emphasize the goals and methodologies of photography, which can also be relevant to anthropology.
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Annie Leibovitz's photo of Karlie Kloss for Vogue Magazine June 2009. The colors on this photo is just so stunning.
(Borrowed from http://community.livejournal.com/ru_glamour/3231182.html) |
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James Nachtwey 2009 in Congo. This photo speaks so much about war's impact on children without even showing a full picture of an adult.
(Borrowed from: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1878837_1844467,00.html) |
Through their work, Leibovitz and Nachtwey illustrate the importance of photographs in representing an idea, a person, a event, and even a society. Leibovitz believes that a photo must truly bring out the person and so she gets to know the individual and incorporates certain objects and events of relevance to the person into their photograph. Similarly, in visual anthropology, we want to take a portrait that truly shouts the traits that we want to express of the individual without having to describe the photo, hence we also get to know our subjects before creating a photo of them. Nachtwey also illustrates a similar point as he spends some time with subjects (such as the one-legged and one-armed man) before he starts to document their lives. Similar to anthropological methodologies, Nachtwey and Leibovitz both believe that a mutual relationship of acceptance is the most basic foundation for an accurate representation of subjects. This relationship of acceptance is crucial for anthropologists for a couple of reasons. For one, this relationship will prevent any unwanted invasion of privacy, as we constantly want to respect and protect our subjects. Another reason is that it allows the subjects to become more comfortable with the photographers to the degree that their most natural acts can be recorded. Leibovitz was known for being able to blend in with her subjects and become unnoticed even with her camera in hand. Nachtwey was also able to capture photos with subjects in action because he was able to have his subjects ignore his presence. Such skills are truly important, as anthropologists want the most natural scene. Hence, whether it's expressing them on photo or through words, both photographers and anthropologists come together in their desire for the truth.
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James Nachtwey during the Chechnya War 1989. Another image that leaves you in contemplation.
(Borrowed from http://picsicio.us/keyword/james%20nachtwey%20photos/) |
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Annie Leibovitz's collection of Alice in Wonderland photos with model Natalia Vodianova 2010. The set-up of this scene is amazing with the differences in scales of sizes.
(Borrowed from http://inspiremeplease.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/getting-to-big-for-the-dollhouse-alice/) |
Very nice summary and discussion of the work and methods of these photographers in relation to visual anthropology. How do you think they will influence and improve you future photography and visual anthropology?
ReplyDeletePlease provide the sources/URLs for the photos you borrowed.
Looking at Annie Leibovitz's and James Nachtwey's work, I feel that a photograph can do much more than be an illustration, as it evokes our emotions as well as our other senses. Many people say that a picture speaks a thousand words, and this phrase is perhaps truly reflective of their work. Although I know that I am far far from their photography skills, my better understanding of the impressions photos leave on people will guide me as a visual anthropologist. It will help me as a visual anthropologist in making me aware of the impacts my photo might have. I will be more cautious of the ways in which I use my photo, aware that they can speak a great deal of truth but are also capable of distorting reality. Hence, I am glad that I saw these two photographers' works, as it will help me in making decisions as a visual anthropologist.
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