Sebastiào Salgado

Sebastiao Salgado is known for his PhD in economics before ever becoming a photographer. He worked at an International coffee Organization in London, this organization forced him to take frequent trips to Africa. This is what sparked Salgado's interest in photography. Along with producing photos, he also created many documentary series or his work. What Salgado mainly focuses on during his time in Africa is low economic areas and the individuals within them. 

Salgado wants to portray his individuals in his photos with dignity while living in a low income area, while most third world country photos try to force their individuals to be seen as either very poor or heroic. To have dignity is the idea of being worthy of honor and respect. He wants people to see that these people living in low economic areas are more than just asking for pity. 

This photo stood out to me the most out of all the photos I have see of Salgado's work. This photo explains exactly what I stated above just by looking at it. The subject in this photo is not perceived as looking for pity because of their situation, but the complete opposite. The child in this photo seems clearly interested in being a part of this photo. He/she is shown with a proud stance of honor and integrity. As we can see in the background, it is clear that this is a low economic area the subject is in. He/she also seems to be covered in a mud like substance surrounded by loads of trash and other subjects. The clothes presented on their body is also very cheap and most likely is the only clothing they have. Even though this child is most likely in a horrible situation, they seem to make the most out of it shown in the photo. 

This is another photo that stood out to me. This photo presents workers in Cuba cutting down sugar brigades. We can see that the workers are not engaging with the viewer. We can take from that, that they are not concerned with showing pity or shame, but more as they are showing their hard-working selves no matter what their situation could be. This photo to me shows them as being heroic with out trying to be. Looking at this photo we can also assume machines and factories are not present as the background looks like it goes on and on with the sugar brigades. We can also only see two men in this photo, both not engaging with the viewer. I liked this photo because it also agrees with what Salgado is trying to present in his work. Integrity and Dignity. 

Overall, I find the work of Salgado very interesting. I believe what he is doing is something other photographers should do instead of always showing how poor other third world countries are, but show how people live within them with their own dignity. I believe Salgado's work is something I would do personally as well. 

Bronwen Lewis