Wednesday, 29 October 2008

In search of the iconic

Is this an iconic image?
Paul Fusco - Magnum Photos


What is an iconic photograph?   I am not sure - are you?   I have spent the afternoon looking at imagery from around the world to try and come up with some guidance but all I have succeeded in doing was muddying the water.   However, I think that this actually may be a good thing as this is the start of the process and if I knew now what is an iconic image then the journey would not be worth taking.

Why am I concerned with this.  Well its my friend the MA essay.  I am comparing two very iconic images - well I think they are iconic (and so do most people if I am honest)  but that does not answer the question as to what is iconic?

I have done some very simple research and this would seem to leave more answers than questions.   The good thing about this quest is that I can spend time looking at some of the great images of all time.  I am surrounded by books full of magnum photographers, the best sports photographers and other unimpeachable photographers.   The initial litrature search has been inconlusive but to be truthful I haven't really tried to find any really useful text books yet. That joy is to come.

So what is iconic?   I would love to hear your views.

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