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Bag’s Take-Away:
André Liohn of Prospekt won the 2011 Robert Capa Gold Medal Award for a set of twelve photos taken during the Libyan Civil War.
We’ve seen endless and excellent photographs from that conflict — after all, some of the world’s best photographers were there. But these shots really stand out as Liohn catches people and government in their death throes.
One thing that particularly caught my eye: in most of the twelve photos hands play a prominent role, whether it’s a rebel’s hand in latex gloves (as in this photo), hands raised in dying, a severed finger (is that what it is? Resolution isn’t good enough), hands shushing others before an ambush, hands praying in farewell, or hands flashing the V for victory sign over a pro-Ghadafi soldier’s corpse. Can’t be a coincidence, can’t truly be planned, it stands out as a glimpse into the photographer as well as his subjects.
As for this photo, the hands do the talking….mouths in the photo are shut, pro-government hands bandaged. In the midst of the gore and fear, it’s a disembodied hand doing the talking. People seem to be listening.
See the full gallery of winnersat the Overseas Press Club
(credit: André Liohn/Prospekt caption: April 24, 2011. Wounded pro-Gaddafi soldiers being arrested in Misrata, Libya.)
Visit BagNewsNotes: Today’s Media Images Analyzed
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Topping LIFE.com’s 2011 list of Best Photo Blogs, follow us at: BagNewsNotes; BAG Twitter; BAG Facebook; Bag by Email.
Bag’s Take-Away:
This “rebel” probably doesn’t know about Nixon’s iconic photo, but what the hell.
Full FP slideshow: Qaddafi’s Mile-High Club
(photo: Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images caption: A rebel flashes victory signs at the door of Qaddafi’s plane in Tripoli on Aug. 29.)
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Topping LIFE.com’s 2011 list of Best Photo Blogs, follow us at: BagNewsNotes; BAG Twitter; BAG Facebook; Bag by Email.
Bag’s Take-Away:
I want to rejoice over a scene like this, as if I, too, had stumbled upon and donned the Colonel’s hat, or got to share the moment with my comrade who did. But then, how often does a photo like this simply serve as the high water mark for the hopes of the revolution?NYT Slideshow: The Battle for Libya
(photo: Bryan Denton for The New York Times caption: A rebel fighter in Tripoli wore a military-style hat like the one often seen on the head of Colonel Qaddafi himself. The rebel was also carrying a scepter and had an enormous gold chain hanging around his neck.)
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Topping LIFE.com’s 2011 list of Best Photo Blogs, follow us at: BagNewsNotes; BAG Twitter; BAG Facebook; Bag by Email.
Bag’s Take-Away:
What was that about more professional fighting force? 3 1/2 months in, pics of Libyan rebels still offer romantic mix of ragtag and Wild West.
(photo: Rodrigo Abd/AP caption: Rebel fighters cross the front line between Libyan rebel forces and Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, 25 km west from Misrata, Libya, Thursday, May 26, 2011. Spain says it and other European governments have received a message from Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi proposing an immediate cease-fire in his country’s war.
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