We Must Make This A Thing Of The Past

Whilst browsing for personal interest, I came across a blog showing a 'Save The Children' Campaign, raising the issue of child slavery, abuse and neglect. The imagery used is amazingly powerful in my opinion. I absolutely love each photograph they have created. Praise to the creativity directors for coming up with such a sensitive but hard-hitting collection of pictures. 'Shock Tactics' aren't being used in this instance, but there is very clever semiotics being used that makes the viewer do a double-take and take notice to what they can see. Each image is very thought provoking and focuses on one aspect of the issue being raised.

All of the images shown, were used as part of a national exhibition which started in July 2009. It consisted of an outdoor, print and online exhibition. This is a great way to ensure you reach the biggest possible target. I have seen many outdoor exhibitions in Birmingham run by various charities, so I had already been considering it as an option to add to my campaign and event for my final MA project. I need to research in to how I would make this successful; the relevant people to talk to, what location?

Street Exhibition: Amsterdam: 2008
http://www.everywheremag.com/people/joto25

We have Paul Torcello to thank for these moving images created for 'Save The Children'. He is a respected photographer who has a keen eye on how to engage an audience and raise awareness. Unlike, the Barnardos 'Silver Spoon' Campaign, Torcello's images don't move you by making you feel disgusted. There is a sense of shock and a being made to feel slightly disturbed, but not in a way that you need to turn away. The child in each photo is being showcased and exhibited, making them stand out from the background and sending the message that 'we must make this a thing of the past'.

Changing children's lives for the better, relies on these photographs raising awareness successfully. One image, or a selection of images, can change the world. If the photographs are powerful enough, people stand up and listen. Many issues have been raised and transmitted through a simple image. Take Elliot Ewritt's 'Segregated Water Fountains: 1950. The photograph became widely recognised as a symbol for  injustice. People look back on the image now and they can see the complete improvement that has taken place over the years related to this issue. A sense of pride can be felt, at the issue of segregation being overcome, even more so if you played a part on making it happen.

©Elliot Ewritt: 1950