An Interesting Coincidence

Stephen J. Collier · Oct 2, 2004

I ran across these two images while doing some research into photojournalism and the various conflicts in the Balkan region.

Morris

Nachtwey

The photos are of the same orphan boy as far as I can tell and in the same surroundings, but taken by two completely different photographers. One was taken by James Nachtwey and the other by Christopher Morris. I must admit that I know a lot more about Nachtwey after watching War Photographer, the documentary on his life and career. This image was in the movie and on a lot of web sites about him so I was confused when I found almost the exact same image in Morris portfolio. I am not saying that there was any breach of photographic integrity, I am sure that they work together or work in the same areas at least. I just found it very interesting. Anyways, well its just one of those random things you find when you are perusing the internet.

I think the interesting thing is to evaluate which photographer did a better job. What do you think?

jd callow · Oct 2, 2004

the second link doesn't go directly to the image. this one does.

Francesco · Oct 2, 2004

Morris gets my vote. I like the symmetry of the composition but more importantly I find it more powerful because the whole face of the orphan is in the picture. I find it interesting that both decided to keep the face in the lower one third of the photo. Is this some kind of photojournalistic fine art formula that is or was in vogue?

Stephen J. Collier · Oct 2, 2004

mrcallow said:
the second link doesn't go directly to the image. this one does.

Thank you, I put the correct link into the post.

TPPhotog · Oct 2, 2004

My votes for Morris as well and I can't see any reason for cropping as shown in the other one. There again hidden meanings go over my head at the best of times.

Stephen J. Collier · Oct 2, 2004

For my money Nachtwey gets a slight advantage. His shot has a wider range of tones and I like the almost abstract feel that it has because only the top of the boys head is in frame.

VoidoidRamone · Oct 2, 2004

I also like the Morris one more. Aside from liking the composition more, the Nachtwey print seems too dark (probably just my monitor though). It is quite a coincidence though. -Grant

jd callow · Oct 2, 2004

I also prefer Nachtwey, but both are excellent.

Great minds/photographers think/see alike.

Foto Ludens · Oct 2, 2004

mrcallow said:
Great minds/photographers think/see alike.

And work together as well.

http://www.viiphoto.com/

Since they both belong to the same agency, it is not unlikely that they went into this assignment together. The shots, although of the same subject, are plenty different. I like both.

Flotsam · Oct 2, 2004

Gee, those backgrounds look indentical except for the highlight adjustment and the slightest cropping on the right side. And the kid looks like he is separate and completely physically, unconnected to the background in both images.

I guess in the digital age, everything will be viewed with a critical, suspicious eye.

anyte · Oct 2, 2004

I prefer the one by Nachtwey. The tones seems more even and are more appealing to me. The one by Norris seems a tad over bright and I can't say I'm fond of bright things. Nachtwey - the boy seems cut off from the world. Norris - the boy seems separated from the world around him. Both work in my mind - but then I'm hours over-due for a nap.

Thomassauerwein · Oct 2, 2004

If they both gave the boy some change or food in exchange for these images then who cares. compositionally I like the head and shoulders better. Both images are exceptional though.

Art Vandalay · Oct 2, 2004

Was it just an arranged Photo Op? Do PJ's often work together - for safety? I can see merit in both but to tell the truth I'm not much of a PJ fan. I'm not that interested in strife, death, horror, pain and misery.

Jorge · Oct 2, 2004

neither one IMO. I see the first one as a feeble attempt at art photography mixed with PJ and where neither one worked. The kid seems to be an interesting character, I would have liked to see more of the body language. The second one, well either the guy stumbled and pressed the shutter or the kid got tired of posing and took of running and that is all he got, the top of his head....

georgeg · Oct 2, 2004

Looks like they were standing next to each other.

An Interesting Coincidence

Stephen J. Collier

jd callow

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Francesco

Stephen J. Collier

TPPhotog

Stephen J. Collier

VoidoidRamone

jd callow

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Foto Ludens

Flotsam

anyte

Thomassauerwein

Art Vandalay

Jorge

georgeg

An Interesting Coincidence

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