Is there a more famous photograph?

Discussion in 'Art & Culture' started by Carcano, May 27, 2009.

  1. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    The most famous and widely reproduced photograph in the world is that of Che Guevara, taken in 1960 by Alberto Korda.

    Can you identify exactly what makes this shot so gosh darn good?

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  3. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    First of all this is a photoshoped image of the man because of the leather clothing he has on, he wouldn't wear them. Then a picture of Che isn't any better than any other person that is a Marxist.
     
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  5. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    It's not that it's great, it's just iconic.
     
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  7. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    No, its the original photograph. What you usually see on bumper stickers and coffee mugs is a cropped image.
     
  8. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    What exactly makes it iconic???
     
  9. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    BTW...how do you know its real leather?
     
  10. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    The plant might be fake too!!!

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  11. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    I don't think there is anything in particular about the picture itself that would make it iconic. There are many photographs of people in a similar pose, with a similar expression in their face, but they haven't become popular.

    If anything, the photo of Guevara (in its edited form) became iconic mainly because of the significance attributed to Guevara.
    Granted, many photos were taken of him, but only one became the most popular one - how come? Probably because this one was perceived as capturing Guevara's spirit best.


    Similarly as an iconic picture of Hitler is like this one:

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    and not like this one:

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  12. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    Probably all the t-shirts and posters.
     
  13. mikenostic Stop pretending you're smart! Registered Senior Member

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    OP, to answer the thread title question, yes there is:

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    Unless you've been living under a rock for the past 60 years, or a backwoods hick, IMO more people would recognize the Iwo Jima photo than the OP's.
     
  14. wynn ˙ Valued Senior Member

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    What makes a photo famous? By how many people in how many different countries it is known; or by how many people (regardless of how many different countries)?

    I don't think the Iwo Jima photo is nearly as famous outside of the US as it is in the US. But the picture of Che is famous in many different countries.
     
  15. mikenostic Stop pretending you're smart! Registered Senior Member

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    Like I said, I bet more people are familiar with the Iwo Jima photo than the Che photo. I didn't even know who the fuck he was until a few years ago.

    I do. That was during WWII....that involved the whole world. I'm damn sure Japanese people know what that photo is.
     
  16. mikenostic Stop pretending you're smart! Registered Senior Member

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  17. leopold Valued Senior Member

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    yes. it's on kodak film.
     
  18. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    Cart before the horse?
     
  19. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    Funny story behind the portrait of Churchill.

    The photographer Karsh snatched the cigar out of Winston's mouth just before the snapping the shot...hence the appropriate demeanor of defiance!
     
  20. John99 Banned Banned

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    because it is a portrait (obviously) and it is black and white and the image you posted is a bad reproduction of an original.
     
  21. clusteringflux Version 1. OH! Valued Senior Member

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    Perhaps a better question: "Is there a more famous leather jacket?"

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  22. Carcano Valued Senior Member

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    Ah, but there is indeed!

    Note the unusual angle, taken from below.

    The sky is overcast, giving us diffuse lighting.

    The positioning of face and body is perfectly balanced, while still being dynamic.

    The expression is static and concentrated...tragic and willful.

    A second too soon or too late...and all would be lost!
     
  23. John99 Banned Banned

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    there is a million similar photographs.
     

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