While
it is something of a trite cliché to say that a picture paints a
thousand words, since the invention of the camera, photographs have
brought the realities of the world to the eyes of ordinary people. The
advent of color photography made these realities even more undeniable —
the capacity to view images in the colors in which we see things in
everyday life breaking down the barrier that sometimes seems to remove
us from the subject matter in black-and-white photos. Whether it be the
horrors of war or the beauty of the Earth, color photography has
captured moments in modern history in such a way as to make them
permanent, so that they may never be forgotten.
10. The Falling Man (Twin Towers)
Richard Drew [2001]The
tragedy and heartbreak that occurred on September 11th, 2001 was
matched only by the pure human spirit and courage that so many showed on
that day. The man plummeting to his death in this image was one of
hundreds who jumped from the towers of the World Trade Center to escape
the flames and smoke. Captured mid-tumble, he almost appears to be
controlling his own descent. While the picture initially provoked
outrage — with some saying it was disrespectful to the dead — the
photographer stated: “I didn't capture this person's death. I captured
part of his life." To many, "The Falling Man" will always be
inextricably linked with the memory of 9/11.
9. A Vulture Watches a Starving Child (Sudan)
Kevin Carter [1993]This
image, captured during the Sudanese famine of 1993, is both alienating
and compelling. The helplessness and hopelessness of the child contrasts
with the predatory patience of the vulture. The shot epitomized the
cruelty of the famine and brought the harrowing issue into sharp focus
across the world. The photographer who captured it took his own life
shortly after this photograph was awarded a Pulitzer Prize.
8. Casualties of War (Gulf War)
David Turnley [1991]The
Pentagon severely restricted the media’s access to soldiers, images and
information during the Gulf War. When this image emerged, with its
heart-wrenching background, it quickly became an iconic snapshot of the
war. The photograph captures the moment a young United States sergeant
realized that it was his friend’s body (killed by friendly fire) in the
body bag beside him.
7. Tank Man (Tiananmen Square)
Jeff Widener [1989]Tiananmen
Square is a historic site and was a point of pride for the Chinese
government, but this landmark in the middle of Beijing became a byword
for China’s human rights abuses and frequent brutal crackdowns on
dissent — particularly after the protests of 1989 quickly became a
massacre. The photograph of a man standing calmly as he faced a column
of tanks — bags still clutched in his hand — touched the hearts of
millions. The "Tank man," despite his anonymity, put a human face to the
plight of ordinary Chinese citizens as they demonstrated against the
oppressive nature of their government.
6. How Life Begins
Lennart Nilsson [1965]This
incredible photograph of a fetus developing inside a womb and its
companion series of shots were an immediate sensation upon publication.
In addition to educating the world on the wonders of life and giving
expectant parents an image of their hopes and dreams, they proved potent
fodder for "pro-life" activists and were soon to be seen on billboards
and placards across America. But beyond this, they — and this image in
particular — became emblematic of the relationship between science and
humanity, a true sign of our times.
5. Hurricane Katrina Aftermath
Unknown [2005]This
picture, with stark graffiti warning of a dead body and pleading for
help, epitomized the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. The photograph and
many more like it showed the world that even the mightiest of nations
could be undone by nature, that human suffering ignores borders, and
that the US government’s failure to act had a severe and deadly effect.
4. Earthrise
William Anders [1968]Called
"the most influential environmental photograph ever taken" by nature
photographer Galen Rowell, this photo was snapped by astronaut Bill
Anders while on the Apollo 8 mission (the first manned mission to orbit
the moon). It has since been featured on a postage stamp and various
book covers. With the Blue Planet half in shadow and surrounded by the
cosmos, it reminds us of the fragility and beauty of our world and the
life upon it, bringing our small place in the universe into stark
relief.
3. Afghan Girl
Steve McCurry [1984]This
photograph of a young girl, then known only as the "Afghan Girl,"
mesmerized the world when it was published on the cover of National Geographic
in 1985. It still does. For while it served to document the
consequences of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, it has become
among the most iconic photo portraits of all time. The young orphan's
piercing eyes and beauty gave a face to refugees the world over, and
countless people enquired after her story and welfare. In 2002, she was
finally identified as Sharbat Gula. While her face had changed and her
eye color had altered with time, the same soulfulness shone through.
2. Man in the Hood (Abu Ghraib)
Unknown [2003]When
this photo — and others that showed even more horrific torture —
surfaced in 2004, the world was rocked to its core. For many US citizens
it seemed to show the unthinkable: US military personnel engaging in
unspeakable acts of torture in Abu Ghraib prison. The controversy of the
war in Iraq was once again in the spotlight. For others, it posed
questions about the nature of war and its effects on those participating
on the ground. Across the world, it confirmed to many their prejudices
against the United States, and fired up terrorists supportive of the
anti-US cause.
1. Man on the Moon
Neil Armstrong [1969]Nothing
sums up human ingenuity in the face of adversity, mankind’s ability to
master our environment, and the possibilities open to humanity more than
this image. The single figure in the frame is Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, the
second human being to ever set foot on the surface of the moon. The man
behind the camera is Neil Armstrong, the first man to accomplish that
same feat. This photograph captured the triumph of the Apollo 11 mission
and the US victory in the space race.
source : http://brainz.org/10-color-photographs-changed-world/
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