Ever since i saw the famous image titled "Afghan Girl" which made the cover of the 1985 National Geographic i admired Steve McCurry. His portfolio is overwhelmingly vast and rich with a variety of images and style. The core of his work focusses on the human condition. These two images are from his series titled "Children of War". At the core i believe photography is about spreading knowledge and awareness, not just about pretty pictures and this series and particular these two photographs provide that awareness into the situation some children are faced with.
In most of the world toddlers and infants are very well sheltered from what is dangerous, it is almost as though children in general are kept in a bubble of safety. Whenever guns and children are combined its startling. The expression on both of the subjects faces are peaceful and their body position suggests they would be holding a stuffed animal. A child that is warm and soft is the complete opposite of a cold steel automatic weapon. These images make me as the viewer feel incomplete, slightly disturbed and wanting to know more and i think because of that they are extremely successful.
I do not know the specifics about the camera and format that McCurry uses to shoot with but i am inspired by the depth of his images and his tenacity to capture the conditions of people around the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment