Essay on Leibovitz and Natchwey

Annie Leibovitz and James Natchwey both communicate through the medium of a camera. As professional photographers, it is their job to take pictures. The purpose of their photography is to capture the essence of the accompanying written article. In this aspect, the photographs are consumer products for an intended audience. Yet in the films Annie Leibovitz: Life through a Lens and War Photographer, the art of photography is described as much more than just a picture in a magazine.

Picture of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Al Gore taken by Leibovitz. (Vanity Fair)

Leibovitz mainly takes pictures of famous people or events. Working for large companies such as Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair, the main purpose of the articles and photographs is news and gossip. As described in the movie, Leibovitz is constantly aware of props, scenery, body position, lighting, and make-up. She has the luxury of changing the composition of the photograph during the shoot in whatever way she deems fit.

Picture of El Salvador, 1984 taken by Natchwey. (JamesNatchwey.com)

James Natchwey, on the other hand, does not have the convenience of changing the picture. War photography must be taken quickly during the action or else the image will be lost. In the movie, his style of photography was portrayed as voyeuristic. He even explained that in order to be a successful war photographer, you have to “be a loner.” This is very different to Leibovitz’s amiable connection with her subjects. That’s not to say that Natchwey is completely detached from his subjects. He made it a point to ask his subjects for permission as well as interview them about their circumstances.

Both photographers explained that it is important to actively participate in what you photograph. This can be done by living together with the subjects, such as when Leibovitz went on tour with the Rolling Stones, or by expressing the subjects’ feelings to the normally ignorant public, such as when Natchwey captured his subjects’ grief during war.