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11/02/2007 12:26:06 AM · #1 |
About the image
Combatting the Big Silence: AIDS is Killing Africa
First, my original notes...
Originally posted by the image:
This was shot for a Richmond Times-Dispatch story about an interactive multi-media exhibit that is was in Richmond. The goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness about the devastation the disease is causing in Africa. Visitors pick one of four paths to follow that leads them through the lives of a child who is affected by AIDS. Only at the end does the traveller find out if the child they followed tested positive or negative for HIV. This was a very powerful experience for me, and a real-world challenge as well. I had to capture an image that would illustrate the exhibit. I'm very proud of the image, and was glad to see it above the fold on B1, Saturday, October 20, 2007. |
This really was interesting to me to see the reaction to the image outside the context of its original publication. Some key points that will clarify some of the missing details...
1) The woman is not an AIDS victim, but simply a person going through a multi-media exhibit. The headphones were provided as part of the experience, so that she could be led through the journey through the voice of the child whose life she was following.
2) It's not that AIDS is a secret or being kept quiet, routerguy; it's that over 2/3s of the AIDS cases in the world are in Africa and the problem is conveniently overlooked. It's understood that it's there, but not as much is being done about it as could be. In the most affected areas, it is not even referred to as AIDS, but more often as "the big sickness". These children only know that they have to hide their symptoms, in order to avoid being ostracized by those without symptoms.
3) This woman is sitting on a bench "RESE"rved for those who tested positive (+) for HIV. She is hearing about what the future holds for the life of the child she was following.
4) I was asked by the exhibit administration not to give away too much, because they wanted the people that came through to have the full experience, without it necessarily being tainted by what they read/saw in the paper.
5) Logistically, this was a real challenge for me, because I only had about 20 minutes to scope out the exhibit and grab a shot before hustling off to my next assignment. It was just a stroke of luck to find this woman having just come through to the health clinic (where all four paths wind up), and for the path she followed to have been one with a (+) result.
Lastly, what a trip, this being a minimal challenge...not much you can do with all that flourescent lighting ;-)
Thanks again, and I do hope this helps shed some light, not only on my entry, but the subject matter as well. (If you're interested, you can find out more about the exhibit here.)
Message edited by author 2007-11-02 09:06:52. |
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11/02/2007 12:28:56 AM · #2 |
Skip, thanks for sharing this. Wonderful capture!
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11/02/2007 12:54:21 AM · #3 |
| Is there a reason you refer to it as "AIDs" with a little s? |
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11/02/2007 04:55:34 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Is there a reason you refer to it as "AIDs" with a little s? |
i have problems with punctuation and capitalization |
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11/02/2007 05:30:00 AM · #5 |
excellent story, Skipper! i love hearing what goes on behind the scenes of our photographers and their photos. :) you rock!
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11/02/2007 07:39:58 AM · #6 |
Awesome story....you get such great opportunities over there. Congrats.
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11/02/2007 07:56:16 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Skip:
2) It's not that AIDS is a secret or being kept quiet, routerguy; |
Almost word for word the un-helpful comment I left you... |
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11/02/2007 08:11:44 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Originally posted by Skip:
2) It's not that AIDS is a secret or being kept quiet, routerguy; |
Almost word for word the un-helpful comment I left you... |
I think there was nothing in your comment that someone take umbrage of it and start a whole thread. But its DPC and it all happens. |
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11/02/2007 08:56:09 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by zxaar:
Originally posted by routerguy666:
Originally posted by Skip:
2) It's not that AIDS is a secret or being kept quiet, routerguy; |
Almost word for word the un-helpful comment I left you... |
I think there was nothing in your comment that someone take umbrage of it and start a whole thread. But its DPC and it all happens. |
I looked carefully for evidence of umbrage but couldn't find any. I did find more background on a really interesting photo, though. Thanks,  Skip, for sharing your story and more about the real-world issue the photo represents. |
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