Photography is truth; this is a concept that has existed since the advent of photography. While this is something in this day and age we are quick to dismiss as we know there are a myriad of ways photos can be altered, we are still swayed by them and are on a daily basis whether we want to admit it or not. We are given messages through photography including what to buy, who to like, who to listen to, how to dress and how to act. There is an incredible amount of money spent on marketing to influence people through pictures as well as other mediums. I think this cover was done for shock value to sell magazines with little emphasis put onto whether or not it was the right thing to do.
Being such a visual society what we are shown and how it is shown becomes very important as Ritchin points out. I agree that the image on the cover of Rolling Stone glorifies Tsarnaev and could have been done in a way that wouldn’t have done so, this was done to sell magazines. The problem with it is that in an age where people seek fame and to be noticed, you’re essentially putting this person up there with “rock stars” where his name is bigger and more prominent than Jay-z, Willie Nelson and Robin Thicke. For someone who is feeling insecure and wants to be famous, but doesn’t have that kind of talent it gives another alternative. As mentioned in the article, this picture was also on the front page of the New York Times with a different caption and didn’t insight complaints on this level. This is due to the fact that these are two completely different publications with different audiences and different purposes in society. Given their target audiences and content one paints him as a rock star while the other treats him as a criminal.
I find it interesting when viewing the Charles Manson cover from 1970 that I don’t get the same feeling of him being made to be a rock star. Perhaps it’s the lack of other names mentioned on the cover and the caption or the magazine being listed as “A Special Report”. Regardless, the vibe given off from the cover is completely different despite being the same publication.
1970 Rolling Stone cover featuring Charles Manson
