Photography is often used, quite simply, as a vehicle of expression and depiction. A lens can capture happiness and sorrow, wealth and poverty, and triumph and loss. However, to actually capture what is real is where the difficulty truly lies. Raghubir Singh took on the monumental task to photograph and frame a reality of India in its post-colonial times. The reality he frames is exemplified by contrasts that are illustrated in a multitude of fashions but most notably through color. Every photograph he took speaks worlds about and frames the reality of the world that he saw.
Often black and white images of the impoverished and downtrodden or the hopeful and the victorious resonate with an onlooker. Perhaps it is because when a picture is devoid of color, it seems disconnected from a reality that we know, a world filled with beauty and color that we are accustomed to. With that in mind, if Singh was aiming to express a reality in India, whether impoverished or not, because his photographs do show both sides, why are the pictures we see so vibrant? I went in with preconceived notion along those lines, so looking through the exhibition was truly unique in this aspect. Singh used color as essential element to portray the life in his home country.
Many times, the vibrancy contrasts with the subject of the photograph. In the photograph “A Wedding Party,” a truly barren land is dotted with the bright reds of the clothing. In essence, he is capturing a reality of life’s contrasts, using color to illustrate it. Sometimes, though, the colors are dulled to depict something more somber, somewhere we we may not truly see a lack of color. Aside from the physical aspects and studium of the photographs, the subjects of Singh’s photographs capture the contrasting realities of post-colonial India. In many of the photographs, like “On Vivekananda Rock,” he showcases beauty, while in others he showcases poverty and hardship. I believe this range of photos he captures speaks of great importance about our reality, whether it was back then in India or today in the United States. Often we only see one sided stories and become blind to the other half. In his photographs, Singh is displaying a reality that accounts for both sides of a spectrum that is usually cropped.
As someone who has never been exposed to this era, I was able to get a glimpse into post-colonial India in a most unique way. I believe that Singh’s photographs truly do capture a reality that is often difficult to depict. In each and every photo there is raw emotion and human nature surrounded by the vibrancy and beauty of life and circumstance. He illustrated a universal truth of contrasts between dark times in life with bright spots of joy and hope.
I like how you emphasized that each of Singh’s pictures was his “reality.” I agree and I think it is up to the viewer to form their own thoughts of what they believe is the reality of each photo. Every picture that is taken by the photographer is ultimately biased. It is the photographers reality, and it is merely up to the viewer whether they agree with the photographer’s reality or if they develop their own.
You did a great job comparing the color to black and white and thought it was amazing how you used to contrast with color as a way to describe his photos as he viewed both sides of the India reality. Furthermore, as opposed to most photographers you pointed out that he covered “both sides of the spectrum” which goes against the majority of peoples view of how photography is subjective to the photographers’ view. Great Job!!! gave new insight to Singhs worlds.
I love how you ended and stressed the point of Singh contrasting the happy and sad times. I also love how you find meaning from Singh’s broad range of photos. I very much agree that seeing the “whole” picture is best presented by seeing both sides: fortune and misfortune.
Great work,
Andrew Langer
I loved how you connected black and white pictures to kind of be disconnected from reality, I completely agree. When a photo lacks color, to me, it lacks emotion. Color within a picture radiates expression and emotion. Raghubir Singh used bright colors and contrast which is what I believe connected the pictures more to reality. The color showed the true emotions the picture was entailing. I completely agree with all your thoughts, wonderful job!