ARTH1100 History of Photography Fall 2016

Professor, I would like to start by apologizing for my tardiness. I may not get any credit for this, but any would be appreciated. Upon reviewing the photo and Capa’s explanation for authenticity, I have come to my own conclusion that it was staged. I am aware of the importance of the public believing in its truth and that is most of the reason why it was taken in the first place. At this time people needed to feel closeness to what was happening where they couldn’t be but were still very emotionally invested. This photo helped family members of soldiers and Americans country-wide gain a vague understanding of how serious things can get and gave them some sort of peace-of-mind. I believe it was staged because there doesn’t seem to be much going on other than the soldier falling from a alleged gunshot wound. There isn’t the sense of chaos I would expect. Capa also seems to be awfully close and personal with the subject to have take such a clear and direct photo. Personally, if I were photographing someone being shot I would likely be in the process of ducking for cover myself and the timing just seems to be too good for the split second after impact. Either way, staged or not, this photo needed to be provided and used for the propaganda of war.

Though this by far is an extraordinary photograph, it was very difficult to be content with. This being that we have been exposed to many photographs in which appeared to be real but in reality were actually staged. Robert Whelan has many good points. One that really stood out to me was that the photograph was taking multiple times. In one of the photographs the man captured in it, is doing the exact pose as the one who was caught falling. I don’t believe it is real due to Robert Capa being known for most of the staged photographs. I also believe that the authenticity doesn’t matter at this point because back then, it was a photograph that was never seen before, so it gave people a broad and different perspective of reality.

Whelan’s uses a great amount of evidence to help back up why he believes Capa’s photo isnt staged. Personally I am torn between whether or not it was or wasnt. The message behind the photo is very relevant but the images scenery doesn’t seem like it occurred during an actual war. To me because there arent any other soldiers around and the persons facial expressions dorang seem genuine, those are reasons I believe the photo may be staged. Capa is know for going to extreme lengths to getting the right photo, so I wouldn’t put it past him to be right by the side of a solider being hit by a bullet.

Whelan’s argument is very convincing. His points of the photo not being staged is good, but i still believe it is staged. The way the person in the photograph is falling doesn’t look realistic to me. It seems off because normally you wouldn’t see someone fall in that angle. I don’t think its authenticity matters because the photo looks awesome to see. The way the photo was shot makes it interesting.

The image was controversial for me because other pictures we have been exposed to that seemed truly authentic have not been and vice versa. However, Whelan provides both his own and other professional dissections of Robert Capa’s “Falling Soldier.” Alongside the proof of date of Federico’s death and location, Robert Capa’s location at time of photograph and Federico’s brother’s confirmation of person, Whelan provides a through rationalization. From the other soldiers’ stances to the location on the hill of Federico and how he may have been snuck up upon and fallen in such a manner. It seems extremely authentic in both explanation and proof. What stuck out to me was the analysis of the fingers curling upon a dying individual as opposed to the innate sense to put a palm open out to stop a fall.

Richard Whelan’s article on proving that Robert Robert Capa’s “Falling Soldier” is genuine is quite convincing. Whelan established a multifaceted approach in addressing the controversy behind the photograph. Although many of the reasons seem to be superficial, the argument that was the most convincing was the research of the identity of the fallen soldier. The article stated that the falling soldier in the photograph was a man named Federo Borrell Garcia, it was also confirmed in the Spanish government archives that Borrell had been killed in battle Atamo Muriano in September 5, 1936. Putting a name to the face, in a lack of better words, allows for the photograph to appear more personal. Looking at the photograph and after reading the article, the photograph does not seem staged. The trajectory of the fall and the unusual position of the soldiers arm illustrates authenticity. One of the functions of photography is that it is used as means of conveying a message to its audience. Whether a photograph is authentic or not depicts how an audience will react to it. Granted, it’s is unrealistic to believe that all photographs must be produced authentically as most often staged photographs are used in ways of entertainment and informing the public of serious issues however, authentic photographs are more appreciated and essential. A photograph that is manipulated or staged may take away from the overall message; meaning the audience may simply focus on the fact that the photograph is fake rather than the actual message behind it.