This documentary was very interesting because it was about a subject that I have thought about before, and never understood. I was first interested in war photography when I went to the War Remnants museum in Vietnam. As I walked through the museum, and looked at all the pictures I first was shocked, and realized how much the pictures showed me about the war that I could never understand otherwise. I then was disturbed at the thought of a person, most likely well off, with camera in hand, taking photos of these people in pain, and sometimes, in their last moments of life. Even though I thought the pictures were important, I thought the photographer's potential help was more important. This movie reinforced that idea to an extent, but also broadened my horizons on the subject.
When Nachtwey was taking pictures at the beginning of the movie I was shocked and disturbed at how up close he got to the woman in pain, and how he seemed to be separated from the emotions even though he was right there. He did not seem to truly have empathy or understand what the person was going through. I couldn't help but first wonder if the woman ( and other people in general) knew who the photographer was, and what he was doing. I know if I was in the woman's situation, a photographer in my face would be the last thing I would want. The subject's calmness about the situation came as a shock to me. Throughout the film though, I began to realize that Nachtwey does in fact feel for the people, and channels his emotions in a positive way... through his photography. He does have respect for the people and the situation. In some cases too, as in Indonesia, he introduced himself, and it seemed as though he was accepted in the community, and had a mutual agreement that he cared, but was also there to show others in the world their pain. I liked this agreement, and the idea that seemed to come from it, that he was not better than the subjects in any way, but was trying to help them in his own way. I then realized that his work really does make a difference, and that differnence may make more of an impact than his actions potentially trying to help the people would. His photos not only bring awareness to dire situations, but also, in some cases, help the people being photographed, in the case of the woman donated $20 a month to the family living near the railroad tracks.
A few things stuck out for me in this video. He said that " the way you tell a story defines it to the world." This is true in his work, but photography in general. What we put in the frame, and what is outside of the frame is so important. We have the ability, with our cameras, to tell numerous stories different ways. It seemed as though that Nachtwey belonged in the field he was in, as he seemed to do well in extreme situations, and realzied that his photos were not just mere art, but a way to communicate. I feel that way myself. Even though we think of this class as an art class... it is really about expression, and I feel like we can see ourselves ( and eachother) in our photographs. We, like Nachtwey, should channel our emotion into our work.
After viewing this film I realized that his photos do not allow people to escape from reality, as som art may, but to get deeper into reality. Sometimes people need pictures to believe a situation or to feel compelled to help. Nachtwey said " the people I photograph are more important than myself" , and I think that says a lot. This is not about him, and not about the peopel viewing the photographs ( with their dressy clothes and wine), but about the people in pain. I now know the importance of war photography, even though it is very controversial. I agree fully with his quote " I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated."