“Indian
washing coffee in Columbia / Sebastião Salgado”
Sebastiao Salgado is a Brazilian photojournalist. Born in
1944 in a small town called Aimores, Salgado earned a masters degree and worked
as an economist for the International Coffee Organization. During his travels for work he became interested in photography and eventually switched his career to focus
solely on photography and spent his time doing documentary-type work. He
focused on issues like poverty, oppression, and the effects of
industrialization. The photograph above was taken as a part of his series on
coffee as Salgado documented the beauty and simplicity of coffee culture as a form
of public awareness.
Description:
1. My first impression of this photo is the
subject’s tranquil facial expression.
2.
This work is a portrait of not only just a poor
worker in Columbia, but a representation of the entire coffee culture.
3.
The subject is a man washing coffee in Columbia.
4.
This photo has a lot of natural background
textures. His textured hair almost blends into the trees in the background and
the dirt on his clothes almost makes him a part of the nature as well.
5.
There is a lot of background space and natural
lines in this photograph because it portrays not only just a man washing
coffee, but emphasizes his connection to nature.
Analysis:
1.
The aspect of the photograph that stands out to
me the most is the subject’s peaceful facial expression and how he almost
blends in with nature.
2.
The photo is organized well with soft lines and
large spaces.
3.
Proportionally, the subject is small compared to
the background, which allows the subject to almost fade into the surroundings.
The contrasts of black and white help tell the story of simplicity and
hardship.
Interpretation:
1.
The photograph is about the natural and
primitive process of coffee cultivation that is often forgotten.
2.
The message of this photograph is to be reminded
of the origins of coffee – a product many of us consume every day – and be
reminded of the labor and unfair compensation workers like the one in this
photograph receive for producing something that we so mindlessly consume.
3.
Yes, this photograph’s purpose is to inform the
viewer of the primitive stages of coffee cultivation.
4.
Looking at this photo makes me feel compassionate
and appreciative of the work this subject does everyday. Although I know he
isn’t compensated properly for his labor, the almost spiritual connection he
seems to have with the nature around him is something I think many people could
learn from.
5.
This photo doesn’t remind me of anything
specific. It tells a unique story that often goes untold.
Evaluation:
1.
No, my impression stayed fairly consistent.
2.
I think it is a very successful and powerful
photograph.
3.
Yes, it is unique in the way the subject seems
to be interconnected with nature.
4.
I think I could reproduce the composition of
this photograph, but the story and the emotion behind it would be hard to
capture.
5.
Yes, the subject and design elements were fairly
easy to understand.
6.
Yes, this photograph was very well planned and
tells a powerful story.
7.
Yes, I would be happy to own a photograph like
this one.
8.
Yes, I’ve learned to focus on not only the
subject of the photograph, but the interaction the subject has with other
elements in the photograph.
9.
Yes, this is a very inspiring photograph.
“Photography allowed me to see anything that I
wished to see on this planet. Anything that hurts my heart, I want to see it
and to photograph it. Anything that makes me happy, I want to see it and to
photograph it. Anything that I think is beautiful enough to show, I show it.
Photography became my life.”
- Sebastião Salgado
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