Kevin Carter - THE GIRL & THE VULTURE

Kevin Carter - THE GIRL AND THE VULTURE

To begin with, let us travel back to the 1960's, Johannesburg, South Africa. There, young "white" boy Kevin Carter was confused and irritated by the severe discrimination against the "blacks." Although leading a compared comfortable childhood, Carter wasn't happy. The strong conscious of equality and the desire to make a change to the world led him to a winding road.

Being passionate, Carter chose to become a photographer. He and three of his friend established the "Bang-Bang Club," which aimed at eliminating the ongoing violence in South Africa. The story was then turned into the film "the Bang Bang Club."

Here's the link to the official website: The Bang Bang Club 

One of the most shocking photo he took at that time was a means of execution called "the necklacing," inclusive of putting a burning tire filled with gasoline onto one's neck. It was a painful process, it took the victim more than twenty minutes before they eventually were burnt to death.

What followed was his most famous or, in a way, notorious photograph in his lifetime. In 1993, Carter traveled to Sudan, where serious civil war was taking place, as well as the devastating famine. There he witnessed the vulture (禿鷹) staring eagerly at the little girl in front of the picture. The photo overwhelmed the world. As it won him a Pulitzer Prize for feature photography(普立茲攝影獎), the photograph forced him into the spotlight but also into the blame for not lending the starving child a helping hand.

The sweetness of the pleasure for winning the grand prize did not prevent him from the depression. On 27 July, 1994, Carter killed himself at the age of 33. Instead of feeling guilty, many of Carter's friends stood out for him and claimed that it was the dilemma he had long suffered that took away their beloved friend away. The suicide of Carter was another shocking news to the world, the role of the photographer was heatedly debated, and also the way the public had treated the young photographer.

Even till today, the dramatic death of Kevin Carter still remains a unsolved question to the world. As most of the people care about whether he chose to be a outsider or not, it seems more important to me that we should all be aware of all the needed and the injustice around us. Maybe that's the change which Kevin Carter wanted to see the most.

Prominent Taiwanese author 李家同 wrote a imaginary story for the photograph, named李家同-我只有八歲

The official website of the movie "The Death of Kevin Carter":

The Death of Kevin Carter

An article from TIME MAGAZINE after Kevin Carter's death:

TIME MAGAZINE

The official trailer of "The Bang Bang Club":

Photograph from:

http://iconicphotos.wordpress.com/2009/08/12/vulture-stalking-a-child/

For more information, go to:

http://twghome.pixnet.net/blog/post/14129703-%5B%E8%BD%89%E9%8C%84%5D-%E6%9D%8E%E5%AE%B6%E5%90%8C%E6%95%99%E6%8E%88%E5%92%8C%E5%87%B1%E6%96%87%E5%8D%A1%E7%89%B9%E7%9A%84%E7%94%9F%E8%88%87%E6%AD%BB

http://roads.co/S=0/roads-blog/documentary-the-death-of-kevin-carter-by-dan-krauss/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Carter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bang-Bang_Club

--492 words in total

Freddy Alborta - THE CORPSE OF CHE GUEVARA

A FALLEN HERO

Freddy Alborta - THE CORPSE OF CHE GUEVARA

Took in 1967, the photograph recorded the scene after the execution of the communist hero, Che Guevara. In 1928, Ernesto Guevara, most known as Che Guevara was born in a prestigious family in Argentina. Still being a medical school student, Che suspended school for a year and went around the South America with a friend only by motorcycle.The experience was believed to have an huge impact on the rest of his life. In Che's diary he quoted, "The person who wrote these notes passed away the moment his feet touched Argentine soil again. The person who reorganizes and polishes them, me, is no longer, at least I am not the person I once was." The story was then turned into a eminent film, "Diarios de motocicleta"(革命前夕的摩托車日記) by director Walter Salles.

Soon followed was a series of revolution in all over the South America. There was Cuba, Congo, and at last, Bolivia. It was the tragic revolution in Bolivia that brought Che to the end of his life. Not welcomed by the local communist, Che had a hard time combating against the military. And there was CIA, which eventually brought him down. Che was tortured and shot to death. During the torture, he also left a legendary quote, "我在想，革命是永垂不朽的."

The picture shocked the whole world. Totally opposite from the official once thought, the picture did not stop the trend of revolution from spreading, instead, it lit the fire. The peaceful face of Che in the picture made tens of thousands of people believed that he was nearly an idol such as Jesus Christ. Even till today, we use Che's icon to stand for a belief of revolution. Although his corpse may rot, the spirit will continue to go down as a legend.

Che Guevara

Taiwanese band Mayday also has a song dedicated to  Che Guevara, named "摩托車日記," which reminds us not to forget our initial dream and always keep on fighting for what you believe, such as freedom and rights to live a better life.

 For better music quality, check this:

For more information, go to :

     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara
     https://www.marxists.org/archive/guevara/1952/motorcycle-diaries/ch01.htm
     http://www.pbase.com/image/118045031
     https://www.stormfront.org/forum/t998521/


picture from:  http://www.pbase.com/image/118045031

total number of words: 398

Charles O'Rear-Bliss

Charles O'Rear-Bliss

Anyone who uses computers must not be unfamiliar with this iconic photograph. Like I once did, many people regard it as a photoshopped picture. But believe it or not, this is a true unprocessed photograph.

Taken by Charles O'Rear, or Chuck O'Rear in 1998, this serene picture had its roots in Sonoma County, California. After a period of shower, the grass began to thrive, which took on the beautiful color green in front of our eyes. 

This video is a bit long, but it described the background story of the "Bliss" in a detailed way. If you are interested in the place where the picture was taken now looks like, find yourself at 5:57.

Many wonder how much did Microsoft pay for the most widespread picture. O'Rear did not give a precise number, but stated that it was a huge amount even compared to today. O'Rear did make a legend, for as XP system grew in its popularity, so was the "Bliss." Although XP today has gradually gave way to the latest Win7 and Win8, the impressive photograph will continue to stay in people's memories.

picture from: http://photoq.nl/wallpaper-windows-xp-een-analoge-foto/

for more information, go to :

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/story-microsofts-bliss-one-most-famous-photos-ever-taken-156920

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2140802/the-story-behind-the-windows-xp-bliss-photo-and-what-it-looks-like-today.html

V-J Day in Times Square

V-J Day in Times Square

This is probably the most famous picture around the globe. In the middle of the picture, a sailor held a nurse tightly in his arms and kissed her, right standing in the bustling Times Square. If you suppose the two characters in the photo were a couple, I'm sorry to tell you : "No, they weren't."

The iconic photo was taken in August 14, 1945, when Japan ,after all the long wait, eventually surrendered. The word V-J stands for "Victory over Japan." People today might find it hard to imagine what a war was like since most of us live peaceful lives nowadays. During the World War Two, soldiers from all over the world were forced to go on a foreign battlefield, not knowing what they fought for, and many of them never went home. When the Japanese announced their surrender, the whole world celebrated the end of the bloody war.

Photographer Alfred Eisenstaed was the one who captured this very moment, when a overjoyed sailor kissed the beautiful nurse. In fact, they never got to know each other. It was after nearly 40 years that the two characters unveiled their true identity. And the sailor, who was overwhelmed with ecstasy, actually kissed every female he saw on the spot.

Even till today, we can still clearly grasp the great joy and relief in this photograph, a photograph that recorded one of the most hopeful moment in the history, and continuously reminding us of the true value of peace.

picture from: http://life.time.com/history/v-j-day-kiss-in-times-square-and-other-celebrations-august-14-1945/#1