Kristin Lenoir // Contemporary Photojournalism

Lynsey Addario is a modern-day photojournalist who captures many stories relating to the flaws in human society both in first-world and third-world countries. According to the book she wrote about her life as a female photojournalist, she began as a freelance and war photographer trying to “find her way,” but her journey quickly changed when September 11^th hit. She was one of the few photojournalists who had experience in Afghanistan, and was called back to the states when the terrorist attack struck. She claims, that was the day her entire career as a photographer and photojournalist changed. She would never “just sit at home,” but rather, chase the adventure and see the world and its struggles.

            Because she is a woman in a male dominated career, she put forth the effort to be seen by her male peers and fully recognized for the work she put out, later winning a MacArthur Genius Grant, and a Pulitzer Prize. She stated that she has put romance and family on hold to put everything into her work. And yet, the amount of struggle and injustice she witnesses daily have caused her to view life in a new eye and merely desire love and family growth in her own life. Once she finally was married and had a child, she learned to live in two very different worlds: one of poverty and the injustice in the world, and one of love, hope, and family.

             Lynsey’s work has been featured in The New York Times Magazine on many occasions, but one specific article titled, “Veiled Rebellion” proceeds to show “Afghan women suffering under the constraints of tribalism, poverty, and war, now they are starting to fight for a just life.” Contributing writer for the New York Times, Elizabeth Rubin, wrote the main article within this essay, and Addorio, the photo portion. The brutality that Afghan women face and the “extremes” they go to define freedom and individuality are shown within Addorio’s work and the many faces of the women she was able to capture. The women of Afghanistan are labeled as incomplete if they are not married to a man. There have been small victories for the women, such as being able to compete in the women’s boxing in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and handling firearms and earning the titles of policewomen. The country has become very split in how they treat the women. There have been women who are able to receive an education, while others are sent to prison because they no longer have a husband in their lives. Lynsey shares both sides the story, the victories and the hardships for the women of Afghanistan.

            This story by Lynsey Addorio may not relate to us directly, but it is important to know that even when we have been fighting in Afghanistan, there are people, specifically women, who are fighting for their own rights against the unjust government and societal rules. It’s important to be aware of these issues and the overall fact that there are humans in the Middle East who are not trying to fight us, but merely trying to fight for their rights. This topic is highly relevant in our day and age because it is still happening. There has been only the smallest progress, not even enough to be considered progress by most.

            Throughout much of Lynsey Addorio’s work, she uses a style of many portrait shots as well as action and merely being able to see the faces of the people she wants the reader/viewer to relate to. Her work is intriguing and visually takes a new stance that men in photojournalism may not be able to capture. The essay about the women in Afghanistan is both haunting and hopeful and brings the reader/viewer into a new world and opens their eyes to a new light. Her work many times relates specifically to women throughout the world, but I do believe it is highly important for the women in this places to finally be getting even a small voice in the chaos.

http://www.lynseyaddario.com/