Special: Essay on Leibovitz and Nachtwey

A photograph has an incredible power.

The power to capture a moment, a feeling, an emotion.

As a photographer, capturing the perfect moment, feeling, and emotion can be a challenge.

But two influential photographers have mastered this challenge: Annie Leibovitz and James Nachtwey.

Leibovitz and Nacthwey are known around the world for their powerful photographs that all tell a story.

In class, the first film we watched was about Annie Leibovitz.

Annie Leibovitz is an incredible photographer with an amazing story. The films talks a lot about how important family is to her. As a child, her family would move around often and Leibovitz talks about spending a lot of time in the car. Because she claims she was "raised in a car" she "saw the world through a ready made picture frame" and was drawn to photography.

She has an incredible resume that includes work with Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and many of the worlds top celebrities.

As visual anthropologists, there are so many things we can learn from Leibovitz's work. Throughout the film, she had a lot of advice when it came to photography. She had said to never have presumptions about anything until you get there. If you have an idea in your mind before you come to the shoot, it will never live up to your expectations and thoughts. You have to keep your mind open.

She has often said that the best photography is what is around you. You become part of it, participate in everything that's going on, and you're living it yourself. When you're engaged in a situation, it's so much easier to photograph and document it because it's up to you how you want to represent that moment.

Photo by Annie Leibovitz, from VanityFair.com

Annie Leibovitz is known for her creative and unique photo shoots, which makes her work stand out even more. The 2008 Miley Cyrus shoot caused a bit of eyebrows to raise in concern, when slightly "racy" pictures of Miley and her father appeared in Vanity Fair.

When asked about how she comes up with her ideas, Leibovitz commented on how she starts out with very simple ideas, some that she considers "stupid". She likes to use ideas with humor and irony, almost to approach the idea of the subject. She likes to incorporate their personalities or what they're known for to create memorable photographs.

Annie Leibovitz's technique definitely works because her photos definitely stand out. She is an incredible photographer with an amazing talent.

The second film we watched in class was about James Nachtwey, who is well-known for his war photography.

James Nachtwey has lived an incredible life. He has seen so much, lived through so many terrifying events, and has photographed his entire journey for the world to see.

Nachtwey said he first wanted to become a photographer after seeing images from the Vietnam War. The images stuck with him and he wanted to do the same - capture images and share them with the world. He wanted the world to see his photographs.

Photo by James Nachtwey, from Time.com

And the world has seen his photographs. This image from September 11, 2001 is powerful on so many levels. A picture is really worth a thousand words.

Nachtwey said that taking photographs is witnessing history, it's seeing thing happen to ordinary people. You really feel the people's emotions. It's similar to theater but the script was being written then, right in front of him. It's impossible to photograph moments without people accepting and wanting you to be there. They realize that photos of them show the world what's going on. In a way, it's like making an appeal to to society and trying to give them a sense of right and wrong.

I found it interesting that Nachtwey talked about needing the people's acceptance and permission for him to be there doing his work. We have been talking a lot in class about getting permission to take pictures, and seeing professionals doing the same thing makes me not so embarrassed and shy about asking people. Permission really is necessary and it's important to do so.

When doing so, Nachtwey advises to be open in approach toward people. They understand what you're doing and if you don't speak the language, body language really does work. Calmness and walking slowly is also important because it shows that you're not rushing to get things done but you're just going with the flow and you're there with them.

Nachtwey was always a part of the action, whether it was during war times or during fights in the street. He really has a passion for what he does and it shows in his photographs, which are really up close and personal.

Annie Leibovitz and James Nachtwey are two of the worlds most influential photographers. Their photographs have open the eyes of many individuals and have really made a difference in the world. As visual anthropologists, Leibovitz and Nachtwey are individuals that we should look up to.

Their amazing and unique photographs are truly visual anthropology at its best.

Nihonjin Portrait: Okasan

After the first week of being in Japan, I was finally starting to get the hang of things. The waters of the new surroundings had been tested, I could make my way to and from school, and the seminar house was starting to feel like... home.

I arrived home one afternoon after a sporadic trip to the grocery store and made my way up the stairs, groceries in hand.

"Sumimasen?" A voice from below echoed in the halls.

About halfway up the stairs, I looked down and saw a woman peering up at me. She looked like she could be in charge? I had no idea.

"Hi!" I smiled politely and hoped that I wouldn't get yelled at for unknowingly doing something I wasn't supposed to.

"Konnichiwa. Ehh.. shoes."

It all made sense now. The room with all the shoes next to the entry way and people wearing slippers everywhere... yet it never even dawned on me that I'm supposed to remove shoes when entering a home.

(Since then, I have learned!)

This is お母さん。Okasan. The wonderful and incredible "host mother" of Seminar House 1!

Though the first couple of weeks I didn't know her too well, I did know one thing about Okasan: that she really cares about every single one of us.

It's proof in her interactions each and everyday. I often see her working around the seminar house doing tasks to make sure our experience in Japan is enjoyable.

Okasan knows us by name and greets us with a smile, wave, and an "Okaeri!" every time we come home.

She willingly works for us gaijin and does it out of the good of her heart... which makes her so incredible and deeply cherished by us all in seminar house 1!!

During our "mini-photoshoot" I got to see a new side of Okasan that I hadn't before.

When I asked her if I could take her picture, she said, "Right now? I didn't have time to prepare!"

Throughout our session, she cracked some jokes and made some hilarious faces. We both laughed a lot, especially at the results.

But out of all the pictures I took, this one stands out the most to me because it shows so much about this woman.

Okasan is truly incredible, inside and out. She has this infectious and adorable smile which is just a teaser of her entertaining personality. She has the biggest heart and will do anything to help us. I have so much respect for her and am honored that she let me photograph her.

Okasan, thank you for everything you do! :)

Neighborhood Hirakata: The Park

About a month ago, I arrived in Japan on a late Saturday evening. Though it was dark and I was severely jet-lagged, the first thing I really noticed about my new location for the next five months was the park.

I mean, how could you not? It's a large, wide open plot of land with a couple trees scattered here and there, benches, and a walking path that surrounds the perimeter.

But after being here for about a month now, I've come to realize that the park isn't just there to look pretty.

The park is the center of this community.

The park, seen left, with what I consider the "main drag" of the area. This picture was taken in front of seminar house one.

From early morning until sundown, there is never a dull moment at this park... at least one that I've noticed!

It's not uncommon to see many dog walkers, mostly women in their mid-40s walking their toy poodles or other adorable dogs. These women have routines and often walk their dog(s) at the same time every day. Even though it's only been a couple of weeks, I've already come to recognize the 9 am regulars. Because they're out everyday at the same time, sometimes the women notice each other and congregate in the center of the park. Then they'll start walking the perimeter of the park together and the dogs will go crazy!

Along with dog walkers, there are also exercise walkers. These exercise walkers are out any day, any time, any weather. They are also of every age, which is so impressive. In America, you usually don't see an 80 year old man walking outside, much less walking around a park. But in Japan, it's common. I tend to notice more men than women, usually ages 60 and above, and almost always have some kind of headphones on.

One sunny day I was sitting on a bench reading my visual anthropology (I'm not just saying this to suck up, it's true!) and I got to chatting with a man who had been power walking about 5 laps since I sat down... not that I was counting. We talked in broken Japanese (me) and broken English (him) and he showed me that he had been listening to English lessons on his tape player. He repeated the tape over and over again. It makes me wonder what Japanese people listen to on their mp3, CD, tape players and if they're as interested in English as this man was.

Another huge part of this community are the kids. Kids are always at the park playing some kind of game with each other or with their parents, and it's obvious this is the place to be if you're a kid! Occasionally middle school and high school students will be riding their bikes around and socializing as well.

Though the houses in this part of Hirakata are new...

....and old....

...the park is the center of this community and an important part of daily life.

I've learned a lot about this part of Hirakata through the park, especially that it's meant to welcome all: neighbors, friends, and even gaijin!

But I promise I won't overstay my welcome by being loud and drinking beer!

Welcome to Life in Hirakata

I started writing a parody of Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" when my plane was making the final descent into Osaka, Japan.

It went like this:

"I hopped off the plane at KIX with a dream and my cardigan."

(Original lyrics: "I hopped off the plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan.")

That's as far as I got.

Because I couldn't write a parody, not yet at least. I hadn't even stepped foot in Japan, so how could I begin to write of my experience to the tune of a Miley Cyrus song?! Yep. I had nothing.

But I did have something: a dream. (And a cardigan. And 3 large suitcases...)

Starting with Hirakata City, I've begun to take chances and open my eyes to the world.

But how can I do that?

Before arriving in Hirakata, I thought I knew a good amount about Japan. I had read all sorts of guide books of where to go and what to do, got a B+ in my first Japanese language class, and ate some rice.

Wrong, wrong, all wrong.

When I got here, I realized I really knew nothing at all.

Sure a B+ from one semester of class work is just great, but when it comes to real life, can I hold a conversation?

My first time at Sanko (a Japanese grocery store near the seminar houses) answered that question.

In order to understand a new culture, one must be able to affectively communicate with the native people. This isn't America; people don't speak English everywhere you go.

And with only one semester of Japanese under my belt, it's going to take a lot more than "konnichiwa" to make my way in this society. Here in Japan my language skills will be tested everyday. But I'm ready to use them.

And what about the food?

Everyone at home knows I'm a picky eater, so how in the world will I survive five months without my usual American meals? Food is totally different here and I just don't know if I can do raw fish all the time.

But I've got to. Understanding a culture is all about risk taking. Doing things out of the ordinary will help me be open to the amazing opportunities that exist outside my familiar American "bubble".

Risk taking also includes learning more about Japanese traditions, history, and modern culture. Watching manga and anime, listening to J-POP music. Learning about bonsai gardening. Visiting history defining cities such as Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Tokyo (and many more). Riding the trains, riding a bicycle, riding Shinkansen. Observing (which also will probably include purchasing!) fashion. Seeing the sakura blossoms in springtime. Drinking tea and eating Japanese food. Visiting temples, shrines, and other sacred areas. Taking purikura pictures.

I know virtually nothing Japanese culture. Which makes me so excited to take in everything about Japan and really learn about this beautiful place. Not just the stereotypes and common knowledge. I want to learn everything I can to best enhance my journey in Japan.

My early impressions of Hirakata City are simple.

It's a brand new world just waiting to be discovered. A place totally unknown and foreign to me, but one that I'm looking forward to loving.

This will be an experience that will shape who I am and forever impact my life.

So Hirakata City, I will conquer you. I'm destined to conquer you. Get ready.