PERSPECTIVES
A rescue worker walks across the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza commercial complex. The Bangladeshi army, fire
service personnel, police, and volunteers participated in a rescue effort that continued for weeks after the April 24, 2013
collapse, ending on May 13.
activists work behind the scenes, oftentimes they are not
equipped with the tools to spread awareness through visual
means. Photographers provide that visual means to spread
information about an issue in an easily digestible way. For
example, the aim of the documentary “The Deadly Cost
of Fashion” was to help bridge the gap between clothing
productions in Bangladesh to the western consumer. By also
including a website for more information, the project “The
Cost of Fashion” also helped connect activists to viewers
seeking more avenues to help. By combining multimedia,
photograph, and activism, “The Cost of Fashion” can be
by transcending borders, religion, race, and social class and
provoke those around the world to step up and act. Thus, it
is our responsibility as media-makers to provide information
to others so that they can make more informed decisions.
When people are confronted by powerful imagery, they
have a choice: either look away from the image or address
the problem. Getting society and others to address the issues
through imagery is my aim as a photographer. To meet this
responsibility, I keep in mind several questions while photographing: What kind of impact will this photo have on the
viewer? What kind of impact does it have on me? Does the
“Through the power of imagery, we are pushed to question our
core beliefs and our responsibilities to each other as international
citizens. In this sense, photography has the power to shine an uncompromising light on critical issues... ”
considered a photo advocacy project.
I have seen changes in public consciousness brought on
by the power of photography, video, and activism. Society is
comprised of those afflicted by an issue, those responsible for
the issue, and those fighting to spread awareness about the
afflicted, and while I believe in the goodness of humanity,
a lack of information can lead to thoughtless and harmful
decisions. Through the power of imagery, we are pushed
to question our core beliefs and our responsibilities to each
other as international citizens. In this sense, photography has
the power to shine an uncompromising light on crucial issues
photo tell an honest story of the subject? These questions
help me create a visual narrative that ultimately symbolizes a
larger issue, greater feelings, or significant events. We sometimes put our lives on the line because we believe opinion and
influence matter. We aim our pictures at people’s instincts,
consciences and compassion, and ultimately we leave them
with the choice to either deny or accept the truth at hand.
Summer 2014 • H A R V A R D I N T E R N A T I O N A L R E V I E W
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