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.

Japanese People

The person who I photographed is my host mother. The reason why I chose her was so that I could learn more about her. Since she barely speaks any English, I sometimes have trouble communicating with her. Using photography in this manner, I was able to nonverbally converse what I normally was unable to express. When I explained the purpose of this exercise, I told her that I wanted to take candid pictures of her doing normal activities. In order for the pictures to appear natural, I tried not to move around or use the flash, so as not to disrupt her concentration.

My host mother practicing calligraphy.

My host mother is unemployed, takes care of all the laundry, cooking, cleaning, and manages most of the business that occurs within the house. She fits into the category of the stereotypical “Japanese housewife.” Without any children to take care of, she devotes her spare time to a calligraphy class, a computer class, a gospel choir, and a bible reading class in order to learn English. Whenever we go out to the public bath, she is very vocal when speaking with neighbors and friends.

Commenting on how I want to dye my hair a similar color as the flowers.

This past Sunday, my host parents took me to the Kyoto Prefecture Botanical Garden. With my host father acting as a translator, my host mother explained how the plum blossoms are currently in bloom and will soon grown fruit.

My Neighborhood

The view from my balcony.

While studying in Japan, I am participating in a home stay. A large portion of Japan does not have numerical addresses, though you’re more likely to find numbered buildings in the major cities or urban areas. Much like how America is divided into states, counties, and towns, places in Japan are named in a similar manner. The names start with the neighborhood, usually designated by -chou, then the town, -shi, and finally the prefecture, such as Kyoto, Osaka, or Tokyo. (Fedorowicz, Steven, class discussion) Following this style, I currently live in Sanbombashi, Yawata-shi, Kyoto.

According to my host father, many of our neighbors associate themselves with Yawata-shi rather than specifically with Sanbombashi. The closest train station is the Yawata-shi station, and the nearby City Office and Cultural Center are for the Yawata-shi area. Yawata-shi has a population of about 7,400 people. (Yawata-shi City Office)

A tanuki in Yawata-shi.

Downtown Yawata-shi has plenty of restaurants, clothing stores, and small business along the main road. Like many Japanese restaurants or bars, many of the restaurants in Yawata-shi have the standard raccoon statue. These tanuki welcome customers and invite them to enter the restaurant. Other places of interest in downtown Yawata-shi include a tatami shop, a bakery, and a couple of book stores, just to name a few.

First Thoughts About Japan

Tezuka Osamu World at Kyoto Station.

Much of my previous knowledge about Japan came from anime and manga, or Japanese cartoons and comics. My first taste of “Japanese culture” was like many other Americans of my generation. During my childhood, I caught glimpses of dubbed episodes of Sailor Moon and Pokemon in the afternoons after school. I recognized that these cartoons were similar to American cartoons, yet there was some unspoken aspect that made them particularly exotic. As a child, I could never place my finger on what differentiated anime and Western cartoons. Now that I have more experience and have watched numerous series and genres of anime, I can see the differences and similarities more clearly.

After arriving in Japan, many of my expectations have been met. I have seen young people wearing identical, pristine uniforms on their way to school. While riding the train, I have noticed that most commuters either spend their time catnapping, or pull out their phones or portable gaming systems. Simply eating in the cafeteria at school has reaffirmed the staples of noodle and curry dishes in the Japanese diet. I have become familiar with all of these stereotypes through anime, and although cartoons and comics may not be the most accurate source of information, all stereotypes originate from a small drop of truth.

McDonald's at Kansai Gaidai.

Of course I have also noticed the Western influence within Japan. The McDonald’s on campus is a prime example. Even as I ventured away from the foreign populace centered at Kansai Gaidai, I still see familiar signs and brand names along the streets. Similar to how anime has crossed into Western culture, so too have Western institutes become a normal part of Japanese life.