By researching and examiming the work of Andre Kertész and Henri Cartier-Bresson versus Eugene Smith and Sebastio Salgado we are able to witness two distinct approaches of photojournalism. Although the job of photojournalists are all the same, which is stating the truth and the facts of a particular event through photography; here we will explore the distinct types of approaches by some very famour photographers.
Andre Kertész and Cartier-Bresson both stand for what they believe in. Their belief is that a photographer needs to be unseen, that the should be no where in sight. In that way you get to see the photograph for what it really is , raw and true. By remaining unseen there are no other objects or factors to disturb the photograph in any way, shape or form.
Srinagar, Kashmir, 1948 by Cartier-Bresson photograph of Muslim women was taken on the slopes of Hari Parbat
Hill as they pray while the sun rises behind the Himalayas.
Cartier-Bresson who was considered the god father of photojournalism was born in 1908. He is known for his ability to catch decisive movement or“snap shooting”, as well as his enjoyment for painting. He was able to capture the moment, and to freeze the reality on the pictures, just by feeling it. “Look at the atmosphere, the reflection. Why did I do it this way? Instinct. I have no other explanation. The subject offered itself to me and I took advantage”. (Icevska)
Kertesz: Landing pigeon, New York City, 1990 by Andre Kertesz
Above is a photograph that was taken by Andre Kertész. He explains how he managed to capture the "decisive moment." "Time and time again I went back to the same place, but it was never right.
The Wake, Spanish Village, 1951, W. Eugene Smith
The Wake, Spanish Village, 1951, W. Eugene Smith
The Wake, Spanish Village, 1951, W. Eugene SmithThe Wake, Spanish Village, 1951, W. Eugene Smith
“It is one thing to photograph people. It is another to make others care about them by revealing the core of their humanness.”
When looking at the work of Andre Kertesz and Henri Cartier-Bresson versus the work of Eugene Smith and Sebastio Salgado the similarities would be capturing of events that occurs around us or infront of us. All are capturing the truth in their eyes and sending the viewers their own message. The differences would be Andre Kertesz and Henri Cartier-Bresson both tries to stay low while they're shooting; therefore, allowing the end result to not be affected by their appearance. While Eugene Smith and Sebastio Salgado alert their shooting subject and developing a close relation with them; in another words they are the opposite of A. Kertesz and H. Cartier-Bresson. We could also define them as one side were shooting a truth image and the other side as fake image or far from truth image.Its basically shooting from 2 different worlds.
What’s the better journalistic approach?
I believe that the better journalistic approach would be to stay low or rather invisible. Since it's for journal/news and the main purpose for these photos were to display the truth. As we also discussed in our past discussion that the truth is the truth; it should never be alternated in any ways."About W. Eugene Smith." American Masters. Educational Broadcasting Corporation, 18 APR 2002. Web. 14 Nov 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/w-eugene-smith/about-w-eugene-smith/707/>
"Andre Kertesz." Photography Now. International Fine Art Photography Index, n.d. Web. 14 Nov 2010. <http://www.photography-now.net/listings/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemid=334%29>.
Friend, David. "Cartier-Bresson's Decisive Moment." Digital Journalist Dec 2004: n. pag. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
Icevska, Gordana. "‘From today painting is dead’ or let’s paint with the camera." Shooting the truth: How Photographs in the media betray us 04 NOV 2009: 20-39. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
Icevska, Gordana. "The world of Photographers and Photojournalists." Shooting the truth: How Photographs in the media betray us 29 OCT 2009: 3-17. Web. 14 Nov 2010.
Photo Credit:
Andre Kertesz
Landing pigeon, New York City:
"Photographers Gallery"-http://www.photographersgallery.com/photo.asp?id=2893
Carnival, Paris:
"Andre Kertesz: On Reading"-http://homepage.mac.com/curatorial1/Kertesz%20web%20gallery/
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Srinagar, Kashmir, 1948:
"After Image"- http://www.afterimagegallery.com/bressonsrinagarnew1.htm
Séville, 1933:
"Nouvelles Images"-
http://www.nouvellesimages.com/Seville--1933_Henri-CARTIER-BRESSON_art~PH2467_id~cartespostales_mode~zoom
Eugene Smith
The Wake, Spanish Village
"Artnet"-http://www.artnet.com/artwork/424021118/the-wake-spanish-village.html
Sebastio Salgado
Refugees in the Korem camp:
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/S/salgado/salgado_covers_full.html
Gourma-Rharous Mali, 1985:
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/S/salgado/salgado_mali_full.html
Reindeer graze on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula:
"Environment of Man"-
http://www.environmentofman.com/2009/05/sebastiao-salgado-the-great-humanitarian-photographer-of-our-time/
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