Influential Photographs that have had profound effects on people throughout the world

[krsna]

Influential Photographs

 

 

From its' infancy photography has been a medium with incredible immediacy and power. Different genres of photography have produced images that have opened up new worlds and ways of thinking to millions. From the origins of life to the very moment of death, from the pinnacle of human achievement to the horror of human disaster.

Whether a professional portrait or an opportunist amateur shot, some photographs capture a certain moment, event or era so completely that they are engraved in the mind and become defining images.

Following are some such photographs that have had profound effects on people throughout the world.

Execution of Vietcong prisoner

 

 

Taken by Eddie Adams in 1968 this is, in my opinion, one of the most shocking and moving pieces of war photography. It depicts a South Vietnamese colonel executing a communist North Vietnamese Vietcong prisoner in the street. The photograph was printed on the cover of the New York Times and was eventually distributed worldwide and won a Pulitzer prize.

America's involvement in the war between communist north and non-communist South Vietnam began as early as 1961 in the form of aid and military advisers. In 1964, after an alleged attack on 2 US fleet vessels, the US found the conflict directly.

Presidents during the time of the conflict, John F. Kennedy and Richard M Nixon were under domestic pressure from peace groups in the USA and increasingly from the population as a whole to withdraw from the conflicts. This photograph, along with others, added fuel to the fire of public disapproval.

The photograph captures the moment that a bullet enters the Vietcong soldier's head; the exact moment of death. The victim's expression is haunting and is made even more distressing when juxtaposed with cold demeanour of the USA backed executioner.

The strong, military appearance of the colonel as opposed to the dishevelled Vietcong prisoner typified why peoples idea of the war being a David and Goliath style mismatch of force. The Vietcong however often had the upper hand with the knowledge of the terrain and jungle warfare.

Strangely Adams became friends with the executioner, Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Loan.

Muhammad Ali

 

 

Taken on the 25th of May 1965, this photograph depicts Muhammad Ali celebrating having knocked out Sonny Liston, defending his world heavyweight title in a rematch.

Born Cassius Marcellus Clay in 1942, Muhammad Ali was an amateur boxer from 1954 to 1960 turning professional after winning the light-heavyweight title at the 1960 Olympic games in Rome. In 1964 he won the world heavyweight championship defeating Sonny Liston in 7 rounds. Around the same time he joined the black Muslims and became Muhammad Ali.

As well as great achievements in the ring, Muhammad Ali is renowned for his strong beliefs outside it. In 1967 he refused to be drafted into the US army on religious grounds and was stripped of his title but refused to back down. He was reinstated as champion in 1970 but was defeated by Joe Frasier in 1971. He regained the title from George Forman in 1974 in possibly the most famous fight ever. He lost the title again in 1978 to Leon Spinks but regained it in the same year becoming the first man to be world heavyweight champion three times.

This photograph, aside from depicting the moment of a great victory, defines Muhammad Ali as a man. Famed for his extravagant behaviour out of the ring and flamboyant style within it the picture sees him at his most inspiring. His catch phrase, "I am the greatest" can almost be used as a caption to the photograph.

Ali was a role model for many; especially young, black Americans and the strength and determination for which he is most admired are captured perfectly here. An advert for what can achieved with self-belief and dedication, and the ideal model of the American Dream. Indeed, Ali became a darling of the US government and was president Carter's special ambassador to Africa in 1980.

Eagle Nebula taken by the Hubble telescope in 1995

 

 

The Hubble telescope is an orbiting observatory launched by NASA in 1990. With its 2.4 aperture it was expected to provide images of the universe with previously impossible sharpness. Problems with its optical equipment, detected after launch, initially limited the range of the telescope. Subsequent modifications allowed images such as this to be accomplished. Shown here is part of the Eagle Nebula, 7000 light years away in the constellation of Serpens. The tip of this nebula is much larger than our entire solar system.

This is just one of many ground breaking photographs produced by the Hubble telescope. Revealing in detail the beauty of these gigantic bodies in space.

Che Guevara in 1960

 

 

A picture that, in various forms, has adorned many a poster and t-shirt. This portrait, taken by Alberto Korda, became synonymous for the struggle for freedom.

In 1959, after a failed attempt in 1953, Fidel Castro overthrew the dictatorship of General Batista. Che Guevara, Argentinean of birth, played a vital part in the revolution and subsequently served in the Cuban government under Castro. He left Cuba in 1965 to become a Guerrilla leader in South America and was captured and executed in Bolivia.

The portrait was taken opportunistically and yet caught magnificently the determined, distant gaze of Guevara as he looked out over a crowd. Guevara's expression signified to many the continuing fight for freedom and equality and gave hope that men like him would strive to achieve it.