Annie Leibovitz and James Nachtwey

Through watching the films Annie Leibovitz: Life through a Lens and War Photographer, I could realize who took the impressive pictures that I have ever seen somewhere. Both American photographers Annie Leibovitz and James Nachtwey are very talented and well known photographers. Although they have same job such as professional photographer, from comparing them, I could see some different points in them.

I suppose there are big differences from way of photography and approaching to take pictures.
First I would like to focus on the case of Annie Leibovitz.
Her photograph is more artistic that be utilized her high sensibility and almost all her works are colorful and very blight. She uses creative sets and makes unique circumstances when she takes pictures.

Her rich ideas seem to fascinate for some celebrity people who be tired of being taken ordinary portrait such just beautiful. And also she tries to become part of them when she takes person’s photograph. In the film Annie Leibovitz: Life through a Lens, she mentions “To become part of them is the best way to take the greatest photograph”. I think the reason why she can create “story portrait” that people call her works is in such her words.

Next I would like to focus on the case of James Nachtwey.
His photograph is more natural and almost all his works are used black and white. Such as monochrome photograph show us the bitter truth of war more directly than bright color photograph, I think.

And his way of approaching to take pictures is also different from Leibovitz. When I watched the film War Photographer, I was wondering why local people admitted his existence although they were in helpless circumstance because of war and poverty. However he tries to approach people to respect him when he takes a photograph. I could see his gentle behavior that tries to not speak loudly, move smoothly and eye contact with people. From his act I learned it is important to approach people with respect when we are taking photographs.

I had never cared about way of photography and approach to take pictures before I watch the films Annie Leibovitz: Life through a Lens and War Photographer. So it was good opportunity for me to reconsider about my style of photography.



http://www.vogue.com/feature/2009_December_Hansel_And_Gretel/

http://www.fanpop.com/spots/annie-leibovitz/photos/4

http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/