How Photography Became a Weapon during War

Photography documentation is a common term for a type of photography that is used to record settings and occasions that are important and applicable to both historical and contemporary life. It is obvious that varied crime sites will always contain evidence. The realm of evidence can also benefit significantly from photography. Evidently, evidence that demonstrates the appearance and location can be photographed and documented (Batchen, 2009). Photography was given a high degree of objectivity during the historical eras, and its objectivity was never questioned. The presented factor is evident since they have the potential of revealing detailed evidence by showing the exact location as well as time of the impression of the collected evidence within a crime scene. It is also evident that photography was entrusted with the high level of objectivity since the pictures always include a recognizable landmark which is necessary for investigation. War photography refers to the activity of capturing images related to armed combat providing an indication of what life is during the war period in war-zone countries. The pictures provided under war photography portray the triumph and tragedy evident during war times in varied aspects. Photography was used during the war periods to provide an insight into the tragic events noted during the war periods.

The use of Photography to inform the Public

During the earlier wars, photography was used to inform the public in various ways. For instance, during the 20th century, photography played a considerable role in informing the people of the major occurrences of the First World War. During the outlined period, photography was used to inform the public of the noted conflicts since cameras were small in size and easy to be carried by a single individual. As a result, taking photographs during the war made it possible to inform the public of the major conflicts and the approximate number of deaths noted from the war. It is also a fact that photography was utilized during war during the historic times to inform the public of the major occurrences through the creation of imagery. In comparison to paintings, it is evident that photographs can produce images which clearly represent a specific event thus communicating a clearer picture of the occurrence.

The use of Photographs to update people on the occurrences of war

Photographs have also been utilized to provide an update of the major occurrences of war by providing real time photos outlining the location and the events noted during specific instances. Photographic images have the ability of providing an impression which can be recognized by the surrounding landmarks.

During the periods of war, photography was utilized to update the people on the major war occurrence by providing realistic images which seemed shocking to the people. It is evident that through photography, people could view the actual carnage of war despite the fact that it took place at far away battlefields. With the photographic images people could feel the connection to people and places of war. The images from the time of war act as illustrations which could reiterate ideas established from analyzing literal evidence (Batchen, Gidley and Miller, 2012). The pictures answered a lot of questions about the war therefore conveying the complexity of the unfolding events within a limited period of time. Additionally, the images could be utilized to spark the imagination of the people therefore providing them with the power to visualize on the current situation at hand during the war. With this, the pictures could spark human empathy therefore enabling the people to connect with those at war and bond with them despite the fact that they were not physically present at the time (Costello and Iversen, 2010)).

The difference between Propaganda photographers and those who took photos to reveal the truth

It is evident that a camera can be utilized as a weapon in that the device can be manipulated to take ownership of anything available in its path. Throughout the period of the Second World War photography was used as a way of controlling the audience and the subjects. People tend to believe that whatever is evident in the image makes photography a perfect basis for propaganda (Freund and Thomson, 2011). Photography can be used as a way of seizing control over people. Various differences exist between propaganda photographers and those who revealed the truth in the images that they provided.

One of the major differences noted is that propaganda photographers usually provide images which are engineered to produce pictures which satisfy inaccurate and wrong intentions. On the other hand, photographers who took pictures to reveal the truth always provide real life images which are not engineered to any extent. For example, the case of photographical propaganda has been noticed in places such as Germany. Apparently, photographical propaganda was normally engineered to make the Jews look uncontrollable and scandalous. It is evident that in 1937, The External Jew with approximately 265 images of the Jews which were unappealing made it easier for the society to dehumanize the members of the identified community (Bull, 2010). The presented images resulted to a significant increase in the rise of violence against the members of the Jewish community in the region. The main goal of the presented photos was to relate the Jews with impurity therefore encouraging a conspiracy against the community. It is there apparent that photography propaganda encourages and incites people to accept thoughts which could have been ignored under other circumstances (Porter, 2011). The same cannot be said about photographers who seek to provide real images portraying real events.

Propaganda photographers produce staged photographs with inaccurate representations of reality while those who take photos to represent the real truth are known to produce photos which are accurate since they represent the truth about events (Scott, 1999). The provided factor is an indication that photography is considered a powerful tool within the society. Apparently, it can be utilized as a tool for corrupt dictators who utilize the images to control the perceptions of the members of the public. Despite the fact that most photographers are given direct orders to refrain from direct forms of manipulation, it is still apparent that camera’s presence acts as a form of manipulation in itself. Clearly, subjects are always forced to change how they behave in the camera’s presence.

How Photography was utilized during the American Civil War

It is evident that photography was extensively utilized during the American civil war period. During the presented time, major conflict was photographed. The images were further dispersed and sold in large quantities in different nations across the globe. It is evident that taking photos during the presented time was a time consuming process since cameras available at the presented period was cumbersome and bulky hence difficult to carry around. During the civil war period, photography was used to produce sophisticated 3D- images therefore making it possible for the Americans to understand the major war occurrences. Therefore, it is accurate to outline that photography during the presented period was utilized to communicate a message to the people on the noted occurrences during the Vietnam War (Bolton, 1992). Clearly, it is evident that the first real-time images were produced during the civil war period.

Photography was also utilized to communicate a message regarding the nature of the noted war during the presented time. Clearly, the images could communicate the emotions on the face of the soldiers, the approximate number of dead bodies, as well as the battlefield horrors noted during the civil war period. It is also true that photography was utilized to boost the morale of the soldiers at war. The presented factor was achieved by taking the photos of the officers which was further passed to men in the community. The photos brought out the soldiers as society heroes hence increasing their morale.

During the civil war, photography was also utilized to communicate reality through the use of 3D images. It is clear that images about the everyday life were depicted during the civil war for the first time. Slaves and the black men were shown playing cards during the outlined time. Additionally, photography was used to communicate emotion. For instance, the images of the soldiers showed that the identified persons had hope of winning the war and getting back to their families safely (Cotton, 2009).

How photography was used to create stories and reveal the truth

Photography has an increased ability of revealing the truth by providing real images which expose the acts of war noted during the civil war period. For instance, the provided 3D images could communicate the message by showing the soldiers engaging in fights through the use of weapons. Also, showing lifeless dead soldiers lying on the ground during the war is important for communicating a message which could be used to create stories during the war. It is true that emotions also play a significant role in creating a story. During the Vietnam War, photography was utilized to communicate the emotions of the soldiers during the time of war. Apparently, fear was evident in the face of some soldiers with hope being a great emotion communicated by the face of the people (Batchen, 2011). Understanding the feelings and emotions derived from the images is important towards creating a story of the major occurrence of the noticed war.

It is also clear that photography during the civil war can be utilized to reveal the truth. The fact that the images generated at the time were real time and in 3D makes it easier for the people to understand the major factors behind the happenings. With the real time images, it is possible to obtain the right impression as a result of the recognizable landmarks showing that the photographs were displaying and revealing the truth rather than engineered pictures about the war. The fact that cameras can be used as a weapon means that it can used to communicate the truth about an event which took place (Bourdieu, 1996).

The fact that photography was used to document the location of an impression suggests that it can be effectively utilized to create a story. Despite this, Bogre (2012) indicates that a photographer should take close-up pictures to reveal the details of an impression thus showing the audience the major aspects of the event taking place when the image was taken. Furthermore, during the time of the civil war, it is clear that digital technology was not yet in existence. Therefore, photographers could only generate black and white pictures which are important and accurate in providing detail and contrast in comparison to most film colors. With more detail about an image is it easier to write a story behind the image while revealing the truth behind the story.

Comparison between the civil war photography and modern war photography

It is true that the photography process during the civil war period was a time-consuming process. The process consumed a lot of time since it was difficult for the photographers to carry the camera equipment around. Apparently, they had to carry the darkroom alongside other heavy equipment which made it a cumbersome process. In the modern day war, the situation has changed significantly as pictures are taken and stored with the help of digital camera and means. In 1961, wet-plate photography technology was the newest technology utilized by the people. Captured images were chemically coated in glass plates. The process was done exclusively by persons who were professionals in the field of photography. Photographic images were in black and white formats and were in 2D (Shore, 2010).

In the current age, it is evident that cameras are easy to carry around and maneuver. Photographers have the capability of producing sophisticated images which are in 3D format also considered as stereo view images. The images are also clear since they are no longer in black and white but available in varied colors. Unlike the photography process carried out during the civil war period, it is a fact that the process, during the Syrian war, does not involve the use of collodion to coat the glass place to sensitize the light. The process is simplified during the modern day (Dyer, 2013).

Furthermore, it is also apparent that photography during the during the Syrian war period allowed for the use of imagery unlike the pictures available during the civil war period. The images could easily relay the truth about the war discourse by communicating the feelings of the people alongside the major occurrences therefore making it possible to come up with a story. Unlike in the civil war period, it is apparent that photographs are taken in RAW file images which are further uncompressed therefore capturing more details than in the TIF format which was common during the civil war period. Moreover, it is also evident that photographing through the use of digital photography that was common during the Syrian war makes it easier to manipulate pictures. The presented factor can be achieved through the use of programs such as Adobe Photoshop (Keenan, 2014).

Conclusion

To conclude, it is evident that photography has the capability of changing the power and meaning behind what is captured by the lens. By taking images, a photographer can capture details of an impression which can further create a story of the major occurrences of the image. Furthermore, photography has the potential of revealing the truth to the viewer by capturing real life events which are backed up by landmarks available in an image.















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References



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