Photo of the Year

[bcholmes]

UNICEF has apparently picked a photo of Haiti as their photo of the year.

I must confess that I always have mixed feelings about these kinds of pictures. On the one hand, the extent of Haiti's impoverishment is something that people really need to see to believe (but I also think that people are pretty good at blocking out connection to people in faraway places). Experiencing Haiti up-close really changed my feelings about my first-world privileges. I do think that more people would benefit from that kind of experience.

But there's seldom a photo exhibit of the beauty of Haiti, or the majesty of Haiti. The creative energy isn't up for display. The only photo-worthy element of Haiti is the grossness of its poverty.

Comments

haiti picture

[(Anonymous)]

hi,
my name is Alice Smeets, I am the photographer of the picture. Interesting to see that you think that my picture only shows poverty. I believe that it shows beauty through all that poverty. This little girl walking through that puddle in a wonderful white dress. It is 4pm and she is so clean, there is nothing dirty on her. I believe that the picture shows the proud of the Haitians and that they don't give up.
Best,
Alice

[ravensee.livejournal.com]

My mom has an issue with the photos and footage that are put up for Foster Parents Plan from kids in Colombia or footage anywhere of Colombia in the media.

My mom grew up on a farm and her family was always really poor. She also lived a few years near a garbage heap. When she moved to a better area just before she met my middle class dad, it was only then did she realize how far off that world of difference was. Although she doesn't remember being so unkempt, her face constantly tear streaked and fly-ridden, she does know that poverty like that exists.

The heart and soul that footage like that fails to show is that people make do and strive harder than most to survive in those areas. They fail to show the dignity, the hard work, the way people try to stay happy and look for excuses in their lives to be happy and celebrate what they do have.

They fail to show that despite not having first-world privileges, that people in those areas also never take life for granted.

[kightp.livejournal.com]

I do love that the photographer is only 21 years old, though.