World Press Photo of the Year 2006,
February 13, 2007
When I discovered the World Press Photo of the Year 2006, my first reaction was; “what a shame!” more I look at this picture and more I feel bad about the reputation of this noble institution and I ask my self: What was the motivation of the jury when they made their final choice? Is it a kind of bad taste irony!
Humanly talking, I agree that
From a technical point of view, this picture is not well composed, it looks like any amateur photographer and doesn’t express any kind of imaging language. It’s a first level capturing information with no emotional approach. Taking advantage of the figurants naivety to promote a satiric feeling.
I wonder what will be the opinion of those youngest people showed in this picture, especially when there faces will be published on the first pages of all the international printed supports and they will become the symbol of this nasty war around the world.
I think at the long run this photo of the year will be badly hurting the standing of the world press photo competition. Perhaps I am so emotional in my reaction, because of my direct concerns with
Samer Mohdad
Chairman & CEO, Arab Images Foundation®
( quick note )
Its a simple fact that this years winner is a fashion shoot. It clearly show the current state of affairs with how the west has come to regard conflict. In all cases it has to reflect consumer culture. The focus of the image has nothing to do with the situation in Lebanon. It clearly is a selection that has testosterone on the agenda rather than any attempt to convey the harsh politics, no matter what side of the divides you may rest your point of view. Its not amazing to think that this kind of image wins WPP. Its clear that something about the nature of the committee is reflected through this choice. Therefore rather than the picture saying anything about the complex nature of conflict in region. Its talks very clearly to the political agenda of those that selected this image. Therefore it enables us (the other, those who reside outside of this privileged dominant ideology) in a very clear way to understand the deeply conservative nature of eurocentric current thinking.
Yours in Resistance,
Mark Sealy
Director of Autograph ABP.
Je partage ton point de vue et apprécie ta lucidité;
Bien amicalement,
Benoît Rivero
Directeur de la Photographie, Actes-Sud
pop journalism and the shame of it .....
You speak the truth my brother , but more than that it is as you said an insult not just The lebanese people but the photojournalst who covered the war , it reduces are efforts to being at Cann and the perverse attitude of pop journalism .....and that is the biggest shame of all ....peace and thoughts go with you ......
Stanley Greene
Photograher, Agency VU
Tu critiques de manière très excessive le choix du jury du World Press dont j’étais l’un des jurés.
En ce qui concerne ce choix, je trouve que tu manques de respect pour les décisions d’un jury qui comportait quelques personnalités du monde de la photo (je ne parle pas de moi !) tout à fait indiscutables. Regarde notre sélection, tu verras que les événements du Liban y sont très largement représentés.
Alors je tiens à te dire que je trouve tes propos tout à fait insultants pour ce jury dont j’ai eu le privilège de faire partie.
Je ne suis pas autorisé à te dire si j’ai défendu ou non cette photo... Mais je veux que tu saches que je me sens profondément blessé par ton mail, et par ta dénégation à ce choix d’une image qui ne correspond pas à TES goûts...
Tu as parfaitement le droit de NE PAS AIMER cette image. Mais remettre ainsi en cause nos décisions est profondément blessant.
Sincèrement désolé.
Jean-Francois LEROY
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