Chapter 7

Ritchin talks about how Polaroid cameras were given to young people to explore their surroundings and how such a simply act hit so many aspects that are completely skipped over but provide such amazing insight into a culture. The Photographs be Iraqi Civilians, "was featured for its intimate and ordinary perspectives showing how a marginal project can fill a void that mainstream media may overlook". I suppose the media is trying to portray only tragedy in hopes to more deeply affect the viewers, but there is so much more behind these situations that it seems incomplete without them. Like your watching a movie but instead of fluctuating between the inventible ups and downs, it just continues to be a path of sadness and despair. Who wants to watch that?

I am surprised that I have never heard of the "Nuclear Nightmare" series. After looking through the images and reading the captions I am mortified. They are horrible and seem so distant from reality, its hard to comprehend that events like this actually occur and people are still feeling the repercussions today. Ritchin discusses how many tragic documentary images are overlooked because they are to depressing, but it is completely necessary to show the world such strong and meaningful shots. Without the photographic evidence the majority of people would go on living their lives never knowing that such events were even going on. Now, I as I'm sure most do after seeing these images, will pass them on to people I know and the effect with continue, creating awareness around the world.