NPR : News

Filed Under:

Does The 2011 'Photo Of The Year' Look Familiar?

By: Claire O'Neill // February 10, 2012
comments

Each year, some of the best and brightest in news photography gather in Amsterdam to decide on the year's most iconic and important images. It's called the World Press Photo awards.

The photo deemed the best of 2011 was taken by Spanish photographer Samuel Aranda while on assignment for The New York Times in Yemen. That one, and winners of other categories, were announced this week.

Unlike the familiar scenes of riots and violence that poured out of the Middle East last year, Aranda's image is one of tender repose. A veiled woman holds a wounded relative "inside a mosque used as a field hospital by demonstrators against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, during clashes in Sanaa, Yemen," the World Press caption reads, on Oct. 15.

The composition alone is immediately striking. Whether intentional or inadvertent, the image bears an uncanny resemblance to Michelangelo's iconic (and religious) Pieta. Along those lines, The New York Times describes it as having "the mood of a Renaissance painting."

"In the Western media, we seldom see veiled women in this way, at such an intimate moment," contest judge Nina Berman is quoted as saying by World Press Photo. "It is as if all of the events of the Arab Spring resulted in this single moment — in moments like this."

The World Press Photo awards have been around since the '50s, and you might recognize some of the past recipients of the "photo of the year" award.

Like Malcolm W. Browne's 1963 photo of the Buddhist monk who set himself on fire in protest. Or Eddie Adams' harrowing 1968 image of an execution in South Vietnam. Or Charlie Cole's 1989 image of the Tienanmen Square demonstrator.

Last year, the award went to Jodi Bieber for a portrait of an Afghan teenager, Bibi Aisha, who was disfigured for fleeing her husband.

The winning images are almost invariably scenes of violence, vice, death or destruction. This year is no exception, but the tone is slightly different — a bit more subtle.

What was the most iconic news photo you saw in 2011?

Copyright 2012 National Public Radio. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

Arts & Culture

NPR

HBCU President Asks Dr. Dre, Why Not Us?

Hip-hop mogul Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine recently donated $70 million to the University of Southern California. Many people are applauding their generosity, but some aren't so happy. Host Michel Martin speaks with Walter Kimbrough, President of Dillard University, about why he thinks an HBCU should have gotten the money.

Food

NPR

This 9-Year-Old Girl Told McDonald's CEO: 'Stop Tricking Kids'

Over the years, McDonald's has gotten a lot of flack for marketing to kids. At a shareholder's meeting Thursday morning, Hannah Robertson, age 9, took the fast food giant's CEO to task.

Politics

NPR

CBC Chair Marcia Fudge Wants Caucus To Be Heard On The Hill

Ohio Representative Marcia Fudge is still relatively new on the block. But she's established herself as the new head of the Congressional Black Congress. In the role, she's already been very vocal about whether the President is doing enough for people of color. Host Michel Martin talks with Congresswomen Fudge about her ideas for America.

Technology

NPR

3-D Printer Makes Life-Saving Splint For Baby Boy's Airway

A 3-D printer is being credited with helping to save an Ohio baby's life, after doctors "printed" a tube to support a weak airway that caused him to stop breathing. The innovative procedure has allowed Kaiba Gionfriddo, of Youngstown, Ohio, to stay off a ventilator for more than a year.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.