Sebastiao Salgado is a world renowned photographer who has worked for the World Bank, doctors without borders, UNICEF and magnum to name a few. His photographs have encouraged change in over 43 countries, because his photos are mostly about depicting situations of despair and, what is wrong in the world? His photos are meant to bring attention to different aspects such as labor workers, poverty, environmental issues. In this essay I will provide some photos that I think are similar to the ones of this special photographer.
The first photograph was taken by four girls who visited Cambodia and were touched and wanted to make a change for the better so they held an exhibition showcasing the photos to raise money. This photograph especially reminds me of Selgado’s work because it allows people to see and view the situation of the people depicted and it is also in black and white which reminds me of the Brazilian gold mind photos without the labours. Also the fact that this photo was sold to provide charitable funds is considerate.
http://www.newmediajournal.us/staff/w_phares/2009/07172009.htm
In this photo by R. James Feaver of children in Romania and the poverty they face. As you can see these children are not in good situation . I don’t know what it is? But, the black and white seems more dramatic to me. Although in Selagado’s photos the people seem to be unaware of the camera but these children appear to be responding to something in the background. Feaver’s photos are meant to bring awareness to Romanian who in some way or another have been affected by HIV/AIDS.
http://www.newmediajournal.us/staff/w_phares/2009/07172009.htm
Many people don’t recognize or even try to ignore the situation of the people of Darfur and many areas in Africa like the genocide in Darfur because its half way around the world and it doesn’t concern them. There have been people that have said they are not getting the help because they are black Muslims (Darfur) or that the genocide was permitted in Sierra leon because the land is rich in gold. Whatever the reason human life is important. The children shown in the photos are malnourished and on the brink of death. This photo was taken in in Biafra 1969 but believe me the situation has not improved much since then . Media and politicians have chosen to ignore the people of Darfur and what Selagado always tried to do was bring attention to a matter that should not be ignored and that’s what I think this photographer achieved with this photo.
Child labour in India- Images by Kevin Frayer / Associatied Press
This image is of children laborers in India who are illegally mining these rocks and then selling it for up to twenty rubes to feed there poverty stricken families who are dependent on them. While doing this dangerous work they can fall to their death, get buried in a mine, or get arrested by police while delivering the goods. The rocks are seem very heavy and the children all appear to be under 12 and not equipped to work in the mine. Child labor is more popular than people know. At one time in even Canada their where child laborers but its seems to have rippled down to most third world countries where laborers laws are non-existent or not enforced. Although I haven’t viewed any photos by Salgado in regards to child labor and I feel that this photo reminds me of his fight for equality for the necessities of life so often depicted in his photos for doctors without borders.
Rainforest clearance in Brazil. Photograph: Getty
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/11/forests-trees-climate
Lastly, Since Salgado is a native of Brazil and has worked in partnership with WWF and Sky in part to help save the rain forests of Brazil it seemed befitting to show a picture of the deforesting that is going on in Brazil.
In conclusion, Sebastiao Salgado is a special type of photographer because his photos are meant to encourage change in whatever form it comes in. His photos allow the viewer to see images that they may have never seen before. Although these photos are not Salgado’s, these photographers that have taken these photos are following in his footsteps.
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