Tom Stoddart is one of my favourite Photographic Journalists
i have been using this artists as artist research and influence since i looked in to his work during my foundation year at college. i like his use of black and white imagery as that's what i like to use. i feel it makes the photo more about whats in it than the colour. as much as i like colour photographs as well, i find black and white more effective in most cases, especially documentary photography. One of the collections of Stoddarts work i feel personally is the most gripping and effective is iWitness.
This is a quote from Tom Stoddart's iWitness collection.
'it is sad and unnecessary that any of these photographs exist
most of the events chronicled here can be attributed directly to mankinds greed,
intolerance, prejudice, inhumanity, lust for political power, and sheer stupidity.
the siege of Sarajevo, ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, famine in Sudan, AIDS in Africa,
devastated post 9/11 New Yorkers- generations of lives needlessly wasted.
The people portrayed in the preceded pages are heroes. Real heroes, unlike those
shallow icons from the worlds of cinema, fashion, or football, so carefully
manufactured to sell movies, newspapers, cars and sunglasses.
innocent people trapped and battered by circumstances beyond their control.
Ordinary humans in extraordinary situations, displaying immense courage, sacrifice,
dignity and the determination to survive what has befallen them and their loved ones.
so don't feel sorry when you look at these pictures - feel angry that we need to be
reminded of such folly.
it is sad but necessary that these photos exist.'
TomStoddart
Putting this piece of text before the photographs i thought was a really strong way to introduce these images. Some are very upsetting and more so because they are not staged, the people actually have to live in these harsh conditions or through what goes on in thier country. may it be Famine, natural distasters, war or things such as AIDS.
Mozambique, Floods
This image to me is my favourite from the collection in iWitness about the Floods in Mozambique. Although this is a natural disaster, it effects the lives of the people devistating ways. Loosing personal belongings, homes and lives. This image i particually like, to me it shows alot of what i just said through one woman. (except the loosing lives) Having everything she owns on her with her children.
I will come back to this artists but for now i have to dash.
Lauren xo
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