Photography as Activism

Screen Shot 2017-11-28 at 00.00.43

This weeks text Photographs as Activism by Michelle Bogre was very helpful in terms of using it for other work, the text discusses the meaning and purpose of documentary which is to educate/teach aswell as inform. Bogre tells us in the text that “What I see makes me angry, and I want to maintain that anger because the photograph itself is not the end. It is only the first step in the process to inforce change.” This tells us that not only in documentary photography do we learn about current affairs but we also learn about why they are problematic. Bogre’s approach to this is very apparent and she makes it very clear that just because and event has been noticed does not mean that it is the end of the issue. In contrast Michelle goes on to tell us that it is simply the starting point to creating change whether that be in terms of creating equal rights or supporting poorer countries. Overall Bogre creates an outstanding look at how we approach photography in terms of documentary, it is supposed

to be informative as well as to teach and educate. Not only this but it is also a very helpful tool in terms of activism. Because it is truthful, what you see is real. For example Kevin Carter’s “Vulture and Child” a very powerful image that can be used as a form of activism to enforce change. The photograph is a good example of a simple starting point, people realise the truth and then go on to create change accordingly.

The Visual Culture Of Selfies In The Age Of Social Media

Note To Self: The Visual Culture Of Selfies In The Age Of Social Media

 

This weeks reading Note to self: The Visual Culture of selfies in the age of social media by Derek Conrad Murray discusses the selfie and the impact the way we perceive images and how they are shared. Whilst talking about the selfie we must note this is important because the camera is easy to get hold of. Almost every person with a mobile phone has access to a front and back facing camera in which they can take photos of themselves (Selfies) and other things around them. Murray talks about the impact of the selfie especially the impact on women in the younger generation. The selfie has both good and bad points. Easy access to a camera and easy to share on social media but in 2013 a selfie that featured Barack Obama, Danish Prime Minister and David Cameron was taken very badly, because of social media and news the photo spread quickly and the three men gained a lot of hatred for the photo. It was described as an act of “Narcissism”.

 

The selfie is often seen as a childish action that is only done by people who are self centred and superficial. It should also be considered that a lot of the photographs we see that involve the front camera are of Women naked or engaging with a sexual activity. With the Selfie has come a simple way to please other sexually without being in the same room. Just like when the mobile phone was invented there was “Sexting” (Sex Texting) the selfie has created a whole new level of people being able to quickly send photographs of themselves naked to gain the attention of others. This also comes with risks of bribery and blackmail. It is well known that these photographs are not aimed to go public but directly to one person, and it has also been known that Selfies of the sexual kind have been used for gain other than sexual pleasure. Often people threatening to sent other peoples pictures if a price is not payed.

 

Overall I think this article is a good read and one that is very informative about the modern day selfie. It outlies both the good and the bad and at the same time tells us in detail about feminism within this area.

GirlGaze Photography and Fourth Wave Feminism

 

The article GirlGaze written by Ruxandra Looft is a fantastic read and on that has given me an in depth look at what feminism is and what it stands for. It also offers an insight into what the fourth wave feminism is and its current impacts on modern day society. According to the article the entire project started out initially to get young women and women into the art of  photography, and encourage them to go forth and  become photographers which was overall a male dominated profession. Once the project took off on the TeenVogue Website women from all areas of the globe were showcasing their work. This is a fantastic story since women felt they didn’t have to hide their talents anymore and were able to show their work freely without feeling beaten down by the male dominated industry.

The Hashtag didn’t stop with just women it also went out to making people in “disadvantaged and underrepresented” countries able to share what they could do. It focused on diversity, women everywhere and young people now had a place amongst photographers. There is of course the side that this is a form of activism and personally not a bad one. With social media being a great platform for this to take place it offered people to also look at other cultures and work from around the world and discuss feminism? The question is then raised that for those who cannot reach a social media platform how will they be a part of this fantastic wave? People in countries unable to connect to these platforms are unable to share what they can do.

Overall I really enjoyed reading this article because it not only offered an insight into the key points of women not hiding their work but it also worked towards the factor of photography being a divers practice. In modern day society we know that photography is not offered to everyone in every country due to costs of cameras however the article gives us hope that someday soon children, women and men who live in Less Economically Developed Countries will be able to learn the art of Photography.