Can Photographs Change the World?

    This is an iconic photo that has inspired me greatly. Of course, there are more gut-wrenching photos and this may come across as shallow.  This classic photo of Marilyn Monroe is the image of feminine divine. This is the image I think of when I think of beauty; not because she is obviously stunning, but because she radiates confidence. I believe that this is an image that has inspired women to be comfortable in their own skin for decades. This image embodies sexuality and owning who you are.  While I feel photo such as these continue to empower people, it is up to people viewing the photo to make the change.  

 

Photo By Sam Shaw 

    In his video Jonathan Klein photos that changed the world Klein said it perfect: “did the images change the world? No. but they had a major impact.” They can send a message of truth. I think it is human nature to avoid taking responsibility. We operate as if the problems do not exit if we cannot see them.  I think when we view these images, it forces us to face reality. This is a photo taken in France during World War I of women who were thought to have fraternized with German soldiers. They were made the public faces of the consequence during the “ugly carnivals.”

Photo By Robert Capa

    This photo shows the incredible divide war can cause. Often times, women caught in the crossfire of an ugly festival were not responsible for what they were accused of.  These demonstrations were a sign of misogyny and this photo reminds us of its impacts. It is images like these that show us how destructive and manipulative war is. However, we continue to put ourselves in this position. The article Censorship of war casualties in the US explains that, “images from these ‘real’ wars have been studiously sanitized to the point that a well-informed news consumer could be excused for thinking that their country’s latest wars are virtually bloodless.” We should want to avoid these examples of inhumane treatment. 

    Professor Nordell says there is a “…narrowing of vision for media…” in his video Do Photographs Change the World. We can pretend similar issues are not happening in our current unrest, but it is naïve to need to see it to believe it. If images could change the world, we would not let war continue to divide and avoid violence at all costs.  As long as media is censored, we will avoid reality and continue in our ways.  Because media filters what we see, in inhibits our "ability to connect, communicate and organize for social change..." (Media Consolidation).  While images have an impact on us, we need to actively put that into play.