Yesterday on duckrabbit I alluded to the fact that I sometimes wish we saw more color photos of Africa, particularly when we see images of conflict.¬† Someone from Australia wrote to me saying ‘who gives a damn what the pictures are shot in, its the message that counts’.
I completely agree, that’s why its important how a photo is shot, because it can affect the message so dramatically.
Actually I think you’ll find almost all of us care about the way we, or our people are portrayed; Africans are no exception to this.
Last night’s PANORAMA (the BBC’s leading TV Current Affairs stand) was an attempt to explore why so much aid to developing countries misfires?¬† Interestingly the opening sequence featured this shot:
The effect of the film turning black and white speaks to me of poverty. These people are from a place apart.
Contrast that with the color shot of the same scene:
Immediately the tone, the feel, the impression on the viewer has changed. The man in the photograph is wearing an Arsenal Football shirt, recognizable by its color.  We have something in common, we can connect, we are a part of the same world.
Of course there is nothing wrong with black and white representations of Africa, nothing at all. Its just the cumulative effect can have a negative impact on the way we connect with the people on that continent. To me that’s important.
Agree?
p.s. just in case you were wondering, the reporter in the film isn’t a cow!
Related posts:
I have no idea what the ratio is between B&W and color reportage coming out of Africa (or anywhere else for that matter)- but there’s no question that each transmits its contents differently, and can in turn, influence our perceptions to a not so subtle degree.
[...] To read duckrabbit’s thoughts on the use of black and white photography in Africa click here. [...]