The Role of Propaganda in Photography - Essay Example

Propaganda on Photography Photojournalism has been said to be a certain type of journalism which includes the collection, editing as well as the presentation of news for a broacast or a presentation which guides to pictures that tell a story, in the context of still photographs and videos within broadcasts. (‘photojournalism’, 2012) It has an ethical base which includes honesty and impartiality. It includes timeliness, obectivity and narrative. (‘photojournalism’, 2012) Photojournalism includes a moral responsibility for deciding which pictures to take or to use for public viewing. The American community loves gruesome pictures that speak of drama and violence (‘photojournalism’, 2012) hence this may influence which pictures are shown for public view. Within the ethical questions of photojournalism comes the question what extent of photo manipulation can be received in society for example attractive colour or including photoshop. Before this technology, war scenes were faked in order to show what is broadcasted. Is this an ethical question? . (‘photojournalism’, 2012) There is the question on false or twisted captions added to pictures in order to arouse people’s interest. In contrast however, society has the right to information, in an objective manner. The United States Photography Association provides for ethical standards in photojournalism activities. In 2006, the lebanon war photograph controversy created scandal, photojournalists actually distorted the pictures of destruction and death. Freelance photojournalist, Anan Hajj got chased by reuters and fellow photojournalists disciplined as well. It was said that the manipulators blamed isreal for targetting the civilians. Adnan also said that he employed the use of photoshop to make the damage look worse. (‘2006 Lebanon war photograph controversies’, 2006) this is like Benazir Bhutto’s case in which some networks placed blurs in the background that showed the devastation in the sorrounding background. The darkening of O.J Simpson’s skin in the 1992 mugshot that was on the time magazine cover also braught about a lot of public outrage. (‘The big Picture’,2006) Photojournalists themselves cannot control how their pictures are used pecause this control usually ends when their images are handed over to the editor or sub editor. (‘photomanipulation’, 2012) Photojournalists have struggled through the years to make pictures more interesting “we are constantly challenged to make scenes that are less than interesting more interesting’ the question that this raises however is when and how are the conventions of honest visual reportage bent for the sake of making images more interesting.” (‘The big Picture’,2006) Is this against the fact that pictures should tell the truth? Or is it againt the journalist’s ethical responsibility? It has been said that the media does not tell people what to think about but rather how to think about it. (‘The big Picture’,2006) The media frames a story as well as people’s perception of that story. One write has writen that before Osama bin Laden became a media issue, his photographs were shown carelessly, but of late they are now shown with some background editing and enhancement. (‘The big Picture’,2006) This is sure to capure the reader’s mind and tell him that the personality in question must be very influencial. An ideology is a number of doctrines or beliefs forming the basis of a social, economical or political idea. A picture can be used to say different things depending on the person looking at it or the angle on which it was taken. (Photography, 2012) Photography can be used to touch or manipulate emotions. For example, a photograph about a girl who was running in pain in a napalm attack that was in Vietnam in 1972. These pictures below can also tell us how presentation can affect the public. Deniz gezmiş as a political activist was seen as one of the founders of the Marxi Leninist organization. Many people believe that Deniz Gezmis was a hero, (“Deniz Gezmis”, the picture here shows a public icon as a criminal but at that time he was looked at as a rebel. One could perceive that picture as that of a criminal being arrested. It was captured in a dramatic black and white color and angle. If I did not know the history of Gezmis, I would conclude that this is nothing more than a criminal who has gained a lot of press coverage. Perception is usually determined by our environment and belief When Japan occupied Vietnam in 1941, Ho chi Minh helped to found a new independence movement, known as the Vietminh, which fought the Japanese. In August 1945, Japan surrendered power and led to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV). Ho Chi Minh, (who was also known as the “Enlightener”), became president. (“Biography of Ho Chi Minh”, 1960). This picture is used by the photojournalist in a way that invokes emotions of trust and confidence. One does not see Minh in a war fighting for independence but one sees peace and growth. The perception built while looking at this picture can be far different from the actual history. The story is not much different form Ernesto "Che" Guevara who was born commonly called “el Che” or “Che,” a Marxist revolutionary. He is a rebellion symbol in today’s culture. Guevara was killed roughly forty two years ago by a squad led by the United States of America. (E, 2009) He was known as a rebel at that time fighting the government when he was finally rounded up and killed. He could be called guilty of treason or even a terrorist. But he is popular in today’s culture and a symbol that many people look up to. This is because of photography’s representation of his image and reputation. When a person looks at Ernesto Guevara’s picture right now, there is a sense of rebellion but for a good cause. I can say that society’s image of Guevara today has largely been formed by the media’s portrayal. It is a very big contrast that he was actually killed as a punishment for rebellion. This American clergy man, activist, and leader within the African American Civil Rights Movement; Martin Luther King Jr. became the youngest man to have received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work on racial segregation and racial discrimination. He organized marches for blacks' rights and the results of his campaigns rights were enacted into the United States’ laws within the Civil Rights Act 1964 and Voting Rights Act 1965. The perception of Martin Luther may depend on how he is portrayed. It must be noted that his history contained rebellion against the catholic church which was not very popul;ar or acceptable at that time. It can be said that the photojournalist here portrays him as a man of the people and a man who is worthy to be looked up to. Martin Luther King’s picture shows a sense if diplomacy and control, but does not tell of his struggles or his final assassination. Anyone looking at this now may conclude that he lived a happy life. But pictures tell a thousand stories. Levi Strauss has looked at the context in which Cross and Hoagland’s pictures were presented in magazines, and usually often placed next to glossy advertisements, for example, a picture of a marching rebel beside an advertisement that is for tourism in the United States Virgin Islands, nuns who were murdered by death squads in El Salvador put beside low-tar cigarettes. the horror of the event in El Salvador was bent to the communicative level of an advertisement, while the cigarette was changed into ‘news’ as part of the drive to pervert the meaning of events. (Baird, 2005-2012) A picture is very effective where it has been placed next to other images. He has also discussed artist who traveled to Rwanda after the genocide and, took many photographs, he entombed 550 photographs of the massacres and the ruined cities in 550 black linen boxes, with silk-screened descriptions of the images on the tops of the boxes. (Baird, 2005-2012) This is a perfect description of what propaganda on photography can entail. A completely different picture can be used to tell a completely different story. In “Can You Hear Me,” Levi Strauss writes that where sound and image are presented to the people in general, it is increasingly difficult for one voice to be heard above the all the other voices.’ This is because of the increasing ‘uselessness’ of pictures as they are used for propaganda uses. Dondis, (1973) also brings understanding of the visual and the cognitive procedures usually most assumed to be more instinctive than evident. Helping us understand photography A photograph can actually be effective where it is seen within the context with other images for example a picture of a person who is in pain placed next to a photograph of a mass protest. This helps a person understand the cost of the uprising. (Kapila, 2012) hence a photograph helps a number of people to be informed. It is a booklet of information to a number of people in order to understand what is happening around the world. Photography has been called ‘an eye that cannot be shut’ and it helps to promote action in certain places of the world. It captures historical events to relay to the public and helps in emotional illustration of events that are crucial to public information. ‘Some issues of importance can only be understood through photography (Harold Evans 1980:9)’ (Robin, 2012) Photography can also be a voice to those in power. ‘It’s the only way to get attention of those in political power to make them realize the horrors of war and make them work harder to prevent it (Murray Sills. Photojournalist quoted in news photographer, September 1981:30)’ (Robin, 2012) On the other hand, this photography can be used as a tool of intimidation and violation to viewers. David Strauss wrote that the political force of these images actually depends what the images do to the viewer involved and what beliefs, ideas, and emotions they may inspire in him. As can be seen from the above pictures, the content is able to awaken different emotions within the person who is viewing the picture. Burgin, (2011) argues that work that has an ideological characteristic is most times taken as manipulative because what comes out of the image has been manipulated. Entman & Rojecki, (2000) have also shown that racial images that are shown on television can influence the minds of the whites or the way whites think of the black image, most whites are already afraid of the black community just by the violent images shown, for examole in most videos the blacks have for a long time been portrayed as dangerous, violent and criminal. Most people who have not even been to the United States can deduct the black-white perceptions through the media. There is also the thinking that that photographs are more objective than words and can be used as “objective quotes.” however, photographic images would be more prone to being viewed as propaganda. (Baird, 2005-2012) this is because many journalists have used these pictures to their own advantage. Due to images, Africa is actually seen as a violent place full of war, genocide, disease, cruelty and corruption hence the feeling that Africa is always backward and that their backwardness is inborn while white superiority is also inborn. (Abagond, 2012) One can therefore see from the above that photojournalist has got a number of factors and can be linked to ideology. This is in a way that the way a photojournalist portrays his pictures can go a long way in affecting public perception. He can use his picture to arise emotions of admiration in the supposed icon or to cause outrage and resentment. Works Cited Abagond, 2012. Abagond. 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[Online] Available at: http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/01/25/the-photograph-an-incredibly-powerful-tool/ [Accessed 28 April 2012]. William Dubois, Barbara J Hodik, 1983. A guide to photographic desisn. USA: Prentice-Hall. Read More