Credibility comes from many different places, some intentional and some accidental. Often it is said that seeing is believing. The photographer took advantage of this by using a photo to show the event. The very nature of a photo innately establishes credibility for the viewers because it is hard to fabricate, especially in that time period. The close proximity to the subjects also suggests that the photographer was right next to the people and witnessed the event (or maybe even took part), which reassures the audience of its authenticity as well. Lastly, the importance and fame of the event at which the photo was taken, the March on Washington, makes the picture seem very real. It is hard to argue that this photo is anything but legitimate.
I think what also would be interesting to discuss is the ethos of the photographer itself and where this photograph was published. Often the photographer can have an influence on societal perception or whether this event was "worthy" of looking further into. As for the where the photograph was published would have influence as many people find certain papers or magazines more credible than others. I definitely agree with you in saying that the close proximity adds an ethos of its own as it gives a greater intense sense of reality. It really establishes to the audience that this is happening and brings the audience amongst the crowd.
ReplyDeleteGiven the background of this photograph, there is intrinsic ethos established by Martin Luther King Jr, since the crowd had congregated to hear his speech. MLK was a well known civil rights activist, which makes this photograph more meaningful in what the people were trying to accomplish. Their rally is more credible since it was organized and endorsed by a huge public figure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Helen. Because of the credibility of the photograph the meaning it gives carries more weight. The angle of the photo is also interesting because although it is close to the faces of the people in the front it shows how big of an event this was.
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