Saving Lives or Photographing Them?

The image shown above shows a man in Uzbekistan dying in palliative care. Social workers and nurses are his only visitors since all of his family and friends have passed away. Without the caption, this photo could easily be from anywhere. Hunger is such an important issue we still face in this technologically advanced society. This represents the ugly side of death and problems we’re still facing in third world countries and even in our own.

Color would have definitely been a distraction from the photo’s intention. Black and white beautifully contrasts the man’s skin from his ribs and spine that are protruding from his skin. The different patterns and textures from the pillow and blankets mirror the patterns of bone on his back. This photo alone is so powerful that it doesn’t need a series. It stands alone strongly. The man facing away from the camera allows the viewer to make this person into anyone. It also doesn’t make it personal.

This photo hasn’t changed my mind but enforced my beliefs in hunger and death. Personally, this reminds me of someone in my family who has turned to skin and bone. She’s lucky enough to have family behind her in her time of need whereas this man has no one but strangers. The idea of being alone in the world is really backed up by this photograph. As for the journalistic side to it, we're not supposed to interfere with what's going on but it's all about the photographer's ethics.