Margaret Bourke-White was a pioneer for women photojournalists. She was born on June 14th, 1904 and died August 27, 1971. She started to go to college for a biology degree but ended up finding passion in photography. She used this hobby to pay for school, but eventually, after graduating from the 5th school she attended, Cornell, she began freelance work to support herself. Her personal life was tumultuous with several marriages, but her contributions to society with her compelling photographs are her greatest achievements.
Her initial focus was architecture and industrialization but she began to steer towards the photojournalism when she joined a group of photographers covering the migration during the depression. Her most famous picture from that photo essay is the “Migrant Mother”. The change to photojournalism and covering human interest stories was a fortunate as she has captured images to represent historic and valuable subjects, such as World War II, concentration camp survivors and Gandhi.
Bourke-White gave inspiration for many women in the field, as well as those in other professions. Though times are slowly changing, women have always faced discrimination in the workplace. There are many reasons for this. Some men might feel threatened that opportunities will be taken from them. However, most of the issues come from the fact that because of cultural and societal norms, women are viewed as incapable or that assumed emotional or physical differences will affect ability to perform duties as well as men. Other times is an arrogant attitude that women are in anyway impressed or amused when men make sexual references. For example, one quote from a women photographer’s experience was when a stranger said, “You,me and that camera could do some dirty things.”
Despite lack of confidence bestowed in them, many women have proven themselves to be just as able when it comes to fulfilling the duties as a photographer. Yunghi Kim is one such women who won a medal at the 2012 Photography Leadership awards presented by the United Nations. Courage is just as strong in women, as she proved when she returned to a dangerous area in Somalia just days after being released from capture from brutal rebels. “ ‘I didn't want to go back toBoston and say I'd quit,’ she later admitted”. Women can be just as strong as men when they have the desire to get the job done and prove themselves.
Another important woman in photojournalism was Catherine Leroy who won the Robert Capa Gold Medal Award for conflict photography from her work during the Vietnam Era. “Cathrine Leroy was a hero to the paratroopers of the 173d Airborne Brigade” said Ken Rocks in this article about Leroy.
It is important that women are recognized as capable as they have a different understanding of the world and experiences, and so, can incorporate it into any profession and create equally valuable products.
Image Source: : http://totallyhistory.com/margaret-bourke-white/
Principle #1 : Rule of Thirds - This is an great example of the effect of this principle because the use of thirds guides the viewers eye to the subject and her actions. Margaret's eye is directly in line with the left third of the picture. Her iris really pops out in comparison with the white of her face. The camera lens is in the upper right corner of the image .making it the next subject the eye focuses on. This guides the viewers eye along her gaze.
Principle #2 : It is simple - The contrasting black and white color makes the viewer concentrate on the subject, especially with the black background. Also, it is not cluttered by extra props, only Margaret and her camera, as if they are the only things that matter. There is no room for distraction from the subject.
Principle #3 : The Feeling the image creates- Because of the simplicity of the composition and the technique used for the positioning of the subject and her camera, I get a feeling of wonder. My eye goes from her gaze to her lens and then I wonder what was past the lens for her. What was this photographer interested in and how did she see the world?
Why did I choose the image? I choose the image because it conveys such feeling that it is almost like the viewer is able to understanding her personally. One can see the amazement and enthusiasm in her eyes as she as holding her camera, looking for her next photograph. I think it is the best representation of Margaret Bourke-White and her passion for her life's work,
Photo By :Profimedia.cz
Principle #1: Rule of thirds- The photographer positioned the man in the left third and the woman on the right third of the picture. There is nothing in the middle section of the picture. I think this is very effective for the meaning of the image because in some people's experience, there is a definite separation between men and woman in the workplace.
Principle #2: Subject's expression- An important aspect to the symbolism of this picture are the subject's impression. The man is looking down at the woman's stomach as if it is a problem or something to consider. The woman is also looking down, but not at anything and slightly smiling. This give the sense that though she has intentions on focusing on her job and is happy about it, she looks down to avoid the eyes of those who disapprove of her.
Principle #3: Contrast - There is strong contrast in this image with the white background and the subjects dressed in dark clothing. It represents a professional atmosphere. With the simple white cabinet that is almost lost in the background, it relates to the fact that where work actually takes place doesn't matter. A lot of women will experience this uncomfortable situation.
Why I choose this picture - I choose this picture because discriminating against women who are pregnant is very upsetting to me. There are a lot of circumstances in life that you can not tell from a person just by looking at them. However, a woman's decision to have a family ends up being exposed because of natural processes and this is on display for the public. This does not give people the right to now judge as if it is an example of the woman's work ethic, goals, or abilities.
Principle #1: Black and white - The coloring and quality of the picture suggests that it was taken a long time ago, before colored photographs. This adds to the context of the picture because it tells the viewer that the fight for equal rights for women has been going on a very long time. It helps with the composition of the image because the area that has the most white after the subject (woman with the flag) is the poster and the viewer's eye is drawn to that next.
Principle #2: Rule of thirds: This is a well used concept when it comes to the American flag that the woman is holding up. It is positioned well because it is an important aspect to the cause of women's rights and needs to be seen. These American women are going to fight for the freedoms that the constitution promises them.
Principle #3: Obvious Main Subject: The composition of the image is good because even though there are a lot of people in the picture, it is not too cluttered that the viewer can not clearly see the subject. The woman with the flag is in front of the people enough that she stands out and her flag in front of the poster draws the eye towards her. Also her dark cloak separates her body from the people behind her who are in lighter clothes.
Why I chose this image: I chose this image because it embodies the passion and fight that women have for their rights to equal rights. They are not in any specific workplace but have come together in the streets to support each other and demand recognition as a unit. I also liked the fact that the American flag was in there. It really is a simple expression for those who are given disadvantage that they have the power to speak for themselves and there is hope that times will change.
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