The folks at Presbyweb had this linked today. I think it is a fascinating look at how media distorts events and how the emergence of blogs is changing the news. I remember being at a rally about seven years ago that drew hundreds of people to support a cause. About 15-20 opponents were marching in a circle carrying signs. The evening news coverage showed only a couple of talking headshots with rally leaders and actually spent as much time talking to the protestors who were almost inconsequential to the event. There was more camera and interview time with them than with the hundreds who held the rally. I have seen other evidence firsthand of this type of thing. The behavior of the SF Chronicle doesn't surprise me at all.
Anatomy of a Photograph
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3 responses to “Anatomy of a Photograph”
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This is common, though it is good to have someone point it out.
I used to think it was intentional — but I’m wondering if there is just such a bias at work that they believe they are supporting the “bigger truth” somehow. -
I know what you mean. It is hard to tell sometimes. For those of us who are White, I think there is a valuable lesson to be learned.
If you have ever been part of public event where you were representing a minority postion and had the experience of being throughly misrepresented, you aren’t always sure if it was intentional or if it was because the person is so deeply engrained in a dominant viewpoint they really couldn’t see the realtiy of what happened. I suspect that this similar to what people of color experience constatnly in our culture. You can’t always be sure about the motivations of someone who has wronged you. You are just sure you don’t like it. Experiences like these are important to remember when we start thinking about ethnic barriers. -
As a photographer, I find the image compelling. It is well-composed and I am drawn to the eyes well before I read the message.
Propoganda has always used imagery, even when it consists only text. But a skillfully constructed image can do far more.
Personally, I think the true story was the “adult leadership” of this group of teenagers, and by cropping the photo it told the truth and a lie at the same time.
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