There's something so haunting about James Nachtwey's War photography. His photography is a full frontal reminder of the costs of conflict. Nachtwey was deeply effected by the images being brought back from Vietnam and also the American civil rights movement. These images inspired Nachtwey to become a photographer. The images I have selected to show are some of Nachtwey's less graphic images.
Rwanda 1994 is one of Natchwey's most well known photographs. You can only wonder what horrors the person in this picture must have endured and the closeness of the crop means it's right in your face. One of the things that I love most about Nachtwey's work is the fact the images have your mind working overtime trying to imagine the stories behind each picture. I find that the story behind this particular photo makes the image even more poignant. The man in the photograph above,was a Hutu who objected to the massacre of the Tutsi tribesmen. He was placed in a death camp and treated as if he was one of the Tutsis.
Nachtwey has been accused of taking "lovely photo's of horrible things" or "war porn." I feel that these images need to be seen in order to change the current state of the world. It's easy to turn a blind eye away from things that don't immediately effect you. Nachtwey brings global conflict out of these smaller countries and throws them straight at you. His use of composition often amazes me.
The above picture particularly stood out to me due to the composition of the frame. I was instantly drawn to the child's eyes and head yet soon found my eyes gazing off into the blurred background, following the road as far as i can see. Even though the child is in focus, its the run down, war torn background that holds my attention. I wonder what my life would be like if I had grown up under such circumstances.
Like McCullin, Nachtwey's photography is a reminder of the worlds problems. It's their eye for a stunning visual and brilliant composition that will best inspire me in my War project. I feel like I understand a little better what to show and what to leave out of my images. I want my pictures to be as gritty and real as those I have shown, yet I want to be able to engage viewers long after they have looked away. It's the ability of these photographer's to tell a story with one or two frames that leaves me in awe.
"I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated." - James Nachtwey
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