Photos allow us
to have insight into what is happening around the world, and therefore help us
to visualize the truth. Although photos may not directly impact the world, I do
believe that they play a major role in helping us understand and connect to the
situation or conflict that is occurring. As Jonathan Klein explains in his
video, “images themselves do not change the world, but we are also aware that since the beginning of photography, images have provoked reactions in people, and those reactions have caused change to happen.” Photos can help create a better understanding and connection
to the event that is happening, making us emotionally invested. People may not know how serious a situation
might be until they see an image of it. An image has the power to evoke a variety
of emotions, which can greatly impact a person. All it takes is one photo to make someone want to help make a change happen.
A photo can be viewed in different ways and may have an impact on one person, but not another. As
photographers Gary and Anita Fender say, "It is, in the end, a personal relationship between viewer and image. The power of a picture is in the mind of the beholder.” When looking at a photo, the image may
truly resonate with someone, causing them to want to take action, and help
change the situation. Without the photo, the person may have never know about
the conflict, and therefore would have no connection to it. A photo helps spark
the emotionally interest in an event, and as writer Susie Linfield says, it
helps “create our moral and political consciousness and even, sometimes, to determine our actions.” Photos have the ability to shape our perception of the
world and allow us to make sense of what is going on in different countries.
Although a photo may not change the world directly, it
can impact a person’s life and how they view the world around them. Personally,
photos have a big impact on how I view things and can spark emotions that I
would not have if reading from text. One photo that has personally affected
me is Eric Miller’s photo of a group of students learning under a tree in
Mozambique, South Africa. This photo truly spoke to me because it was so heartbreaking
to see the children having to learn under a tree with no textbooks, pencils,
or desks. In the photo, there are roughly 50 students who are crowded around one chalk board to learn information being taught by only one teacher.
As a future teacher, it is hard to imagine not being able to have a classroom
full of textbooks and equipment that is necessary to teach students. This
picture shows the lack of quality of education and resources in third world
countries. Everyday we hear about how schools in the United States are suffering from budget cuts and are not given the proper tools to teach our students. When
looking at this photo, it is hard for me to see how we can complain, seeing how
other countries have so little. I think that sometimes we forget how lucky we
are to have schools and the necessary tools to teach our children. This
photo has truly impacted the way I view schools in America, and makes me want
to teach students in other countries, who have nothing. Photos such as
Eric Miller’s, have made me want to help others and possibly join an
organization such as Teachers Without Borders. This photo makes me cherish what
I have and I feel blessed to have had the resources to get me educationally to
where I am today.
Everyday, the newspapers, magazines, and television use images
to convey a meaningful or powerful message about current events that are
happening around the world. However, most people do not wonder if the media is
censoring what images we see or not. In an article by Ashley Lutz, she explains
that, “Media has never been more consolidated. 6 media giants now control a staggering 90% of what we read, watch, or listen to.” These companies have the
power to censor anything they deem too graphic or violent, and therefore we are
sometimes not seeing the whole side to a story. People only see
what the companies want them to see and this can cause people to become unaware
of how serious a situation may really be. Luckily though, citizen journalists
are on the rise, using social media sites, such as Twitter, Instagram, and
blogs, to share their photos about current events that are happening all around
us. You no longer have to be a professional photojournalist to get images out
to the world. As author Katie Hawkins-Gaar says, “many are regular people who simply felt compelled to share their stories with the world.” People want to be able to photograph
the truth and show the world the reality of situations. People are very
interested and concerned about different conflicts that are happening, and
citizen journalism is a great way to keep everyone informed on current
events.
Photos that are shared by both professional
photojournalists and citizen photojournalists can have a great impact on the
world. I agree with author Joan Gage when she says, “Photographs have a unique ability to move us and drive us to take action, …reporters and editors should never have to apologize for showing us the truth of what they see.” One photo that has changed the world is Sean Adair’s photo of the Twin Towers erupting in flames on September 11, 2001.
This photo really put things into perspective for Americans and showed that
there are people who are trying to hurt us. People became a lot more aware
about how serious the problem of terrorism is. I think that
people look back at this photo and become more humble and grateful for
their loved ones and the ones they have lost. It reminds us to never
forget all the brave people who risked their lives that day and every day since.
I believe that this photo reminds everyone of exactly what unfolded on September
11, and evokes a lot of emotions, not just in America, but worldwide.
Horrific events can happen at anytime,
to anyone, and when you least expect it. This photo helps show people that we
are human beings and that even though we may think we are invincible, we
are not. This photo will live on in history, having captured an event that
forever changed our lives.
Photo By Eric Miller
Photo By Sean Adair
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