Physique exercie

Places and forms of power:

        Through this presentation we will focus on places and forms of power and more exactly we will focus on photojournalism. First I want to give a definition of places and powers: power is the ability to exercise authority and influence over others. It can be exerted in different spheres such as economy, politics, media and culture. The word “places” refers to the spaces where these forms of power take place like the White House. In this way we can ask ourselves: To what extent is photojournalism powerful? First we will focus on its contribution to history and society and then we will focus on the dangers and limits of photojournalism.

        Like I said on the one hand photojournalism could be powerful thanks to its contribution to history and society. Let’s take the example of the famous photograph with the Vietnamese naked girl for the history. This photograph shows us the horror of the war and its consequences. We can see two parts, the first one with soldiers who seems very quiet and the second one with children that are running away this disastrous situation. But one of the children is more attractive for our eyes this is the naked one. She is very skinny and she is crying. She represents all the consequences. This photograph contributed to history because it showed to the whole world the truth and it helped for the peace.

Then let’s use two other examples, the first one is an interview of few people who were talking about the power and the impact. Through this interview one idea submerges: photojournalism is one of the most important parts of journalism because photographs tell a story, the essence of things and the message behind photographs can be spread easier and the message touches deeply the people. Finally let’s take the example of Mr.Brainwash. This is example is a mural with 3 heroes of the African-American cause: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King JR and Barack Obama on a red background. This mural was a kind of honor for those people who made this world better and who fought for the black cause with different means of protest. To sum up on the one hand photojournalism is very powerful and it makes the society and the world a better place.

        On the other hand photojournalism seems to have some limits and dangers. Let’s talk about the famous photograph of Kevin Carter which was taken during a shooting in Soweto. On this picture we can see people that are running away. They are escaping from people that are shooting them and on the middle of the picture we can see the photograph himself who is taking a picture. This picture shows the danger of being a photographer because some photographers can die to take the perfect picture. Finally let’s talk about the photograph of Kevin Carter but this time his photograph is a bit controversial. With this picture he won a Pullitzer Price but his victory was controversial. On this picture we can see a young naked girl who seems very weak and next to her there is a vulture that is waiting for the perfect moment which is the death of the little girl. Here is the dilemma of the photographer, in the first case he decides to save the girl or in the second one he decides to wait the perfect moment: with the vulture near the little girl ready to eat her.

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