Different shades-same message?

http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00routesdata/1900_1999/partition/camps/puranaqilacamp.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pixies/2009/5/30/1243638123139/Menik-Farms-refugee-camp--001.jpg



The number one thing I noticed about these two pictures was the fact that one is in color and the other is in black and white. I notice in a colored picture certain distractions may affect the viewer of the piece. The color is a display. The author, it seems is saying- “Here you are! I have done the work, view it and look at what I have “highlighted” for you and ponder what it is I’m attempting to say and discuss it.” Maybe it’s easier to be told what thoughts the author wants in your head, I don’t think this generates as strong of an impact however. There’s no detective work. If you’re told what you need to know, you don’t have a personal-ish connection to it. Looking at the colored picture there is so much going on-the trees in front, the fence, the men and women etc., it’s almost distracting from the fact that these people are living their lives in terrible conditions. The picture isn’t effective enough to generate an emotional response from me personally. Relating back to the Circuit of Culture is the idea of presentation, the presentation of the colored photo doesn’t instill the sort of emotion in the myself that the black and white photo does. Put it like this- I see the color in the photo as a way for my eyes to be drawn to what they want to see. I don’t take the whole photo in. The black and white photo doesn’t allow for my eyes to do this. It’s like I’m forced to really attempt to understand the underlying meaning of the author. There is no luxury of having color there to “highlight” what it is I need to know. Black and white photo really enables the viewer to have a greater emotional connection to it and have a deeper rooted feeling of wanting to do something to help, or become more aware of what is happening. It urges you to take a position on the matter. Looking at the photo with the young boy I get a feeling of vulnerability. I see sadness in his eyes and it makes me angry to see this is how he lives. The lack of color helps me to see all this. It’s like a “naked reading” if you will. These people are in trouble. Help them. It’s the overt message in both pictures. One author has conveyed it in a way that elicits a greater emotional response from the audience.