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

via Time Magazine Lightbox

(credit: André Liohn/Prospekt caption: April 24, 2011. Wounded pro-Gaddafi soldiers being arrested in Misrata, Libya.)

Visit BagNewsNotes: Today’s Media Images Analyzed

—————

Topping LIFE.com’s 2011 list of Best Photo Blogs, follow us at: BagNewsNotes; BAG Twitter; BAG Facebook; Bag by Email.