This is a picture of a protest in Egypt taken by Mohammed Abu Zaid a member of the Associated Press.Egypt's protests were inspired by the political climate in Tunisia. A group of computer savvy young Tunisians used Facebook to help overthrow the president or dictator. The young activists used social media tools because there were no journalist documenting the government actions or abuse and the "the official media started to tell lies about what was happening.” This revolt in Tunisia began over high unemployment, lack of civil liberties and rising food prices. Similar to the monk in south Vietnam protesting the Diem regime, one of the events that also inspired the revolt was a young unemployed graduate man and produce vendor who chose to douse himself in gasoline as the ultimate form of protest after the police confiscated his produce because he did not have the necessary permit.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/20110115/ts_dailybeast/11869_tunisaproteststhefacebookrevolution
What I like about the picture above is the contrast between the multitude looking in one direction and the gentleman looking clear into the camera.
This picture speaks to me because not only does it document a historical moment in Egyptian history, but because of the poignant way in which it documents an act of defiance. The police is feared in Egypt and for people to have the audacity to protest in public nonetheless to be amongst the feared policeman in a statement of defiance asking president Moubarak to leave is extraordinary !
That's a pretty strong image, although it lacks some emotion. But the "flow" of the image and the lone protestor in the mass of police is a strong visual element.
ReplyDeleteNow look here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-egypt-copts-20110104,0,5662654.story
And see how much stronger an image gets when you place a symbolic image into the scene. The image may not have the strong graphic element like the one you posted, but it does offer that symbolism in the picture of Jesus that provides an emotional attachment.
I think that is why American photographers like including flags into their images. It is that symbolism that provides an emotional response to the image.
That is an interesting point. Do you suppose the intensity of the emotional attachment is defined by culture and audience?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Marily. It can also be a situational response as well. A hospice story can be a difficult thing to few for some people. But show it to someone who just had to deal with the death of a loved one and the emotional response can be even more powerful. Images can definitely affect an audience depending on the audience and what messages or communication points are presented.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I did not select the image for its symbolism, upon your comment and some reflection, I contend that the sign the Egyptian man is holding is itself symbolic. He is asking for the removal of the president in French instead than in Arabic. The official Language of Egypt is Arabic. Granted there are other languages spoken in Egypt. The Tunisian revolution also asked for the removal of the president in French. The official language of Tunisia is Arabic and the commercial or business language is French. I remember being in Cairo in 2000 and being addressed in Arabic all of the time. Being that this is a grassroots movement so to speak, I found it interesting that the sign was in French. Now Tunisia's sphere of influence has progressed to Yemen. It will be interesting to see the end result in Egypt given that the president is backed by the military and that was not the case in Tunisia.
ReplyDelete