Robert Capa Nowadays

Of all the photographers we study throughout this semester, the ones who captured the dramatic actions and feelings from wars and combats stood out when it comes to the photographic production. Robert Capa belongs to this group and his work was not only relevant for the time his was alive but still contributes to the work of photographers today. The best way to compare the similarities between Capa and today’s photographs is analyzing Capa’s characteristics while capturing the reality and environment he was living in.

Firstly and more comprehensive, Robert Capa was not a fan of static moments; that been said, he always had movements and actions in his work. The picture of Anne Hathaway walking in the streets of New York (from the movie ‘The Devil wears Prada) is a perfect example in which we can see this characteristic of Capa. The action of walking is the main component in the picture and it can be completely perceptible when taking the other elements in the picture in consideration. Such elements are shown kind of blurry, contrasting to the image of the actress herself and so portraying the idea of movement.

The second important aspect regards Robert’s work is defined by Richard Whelan as “…combat photographer…” (Robert Capa: a biography Knopf, 1985). In his photographs, it is noticeable that he captured the moments exactly how they were happening in the battlefields, the actions of the soldiers combating and dying while trying to fight for their lives, which actually differences him from the other photographers of his time. Having that in mind, there is a great influence of Capa on these two other photographs. The first one portrays the Vietnam War, when the Australians were trying to take over that population; the second one portrays the Iraq War and shows the American soldiers in intense conflict against the Iraq soldiers. It is so noticeable the actions, the feelings, and of course the war itself that we can say that the photographer who took these photos was there with the soldiers capturing every single moment; which was one of the biggest characteristics of Capa.

In this same aspect, the famous company Lego made some pictures referring to the notables of photography and one of them was for Robert Capa. In the picture, Lego tried to reproduce the same scene/action of one of the most famous Capa’s work (‘The Falling Soldier’), but in its own Style. This reference makes it more clear the aspect of Capa of capturing the action in the exact moment and how they are really happening. Even in the Lego picture it is noticeable.

The last point but very related with the second one, is also discussed by Richard Whelan when he says that Capa is “…photojournalist who covered different wars…” (Robert Capa: a biography Knopf, 1985). As a photojournalist, Capa captured the moments of wars and combats exactly how they happened and because of that, he didn’t have the intention to make his photographs look artistic but he wanted to show a reality and by publishing it, people would know what really was going on (no repairs). In the next picture we can see what was published in newspapers and make reference to a manifest during the G20. It’s a journalist picture, not artistic and then it shows what was really going on in that time and also makes reference to a combat, major Capa’s characteristic.

The influence of Capa, as well as many other past photographers, have been and will always be a guide to many other photographs. The ‘photography world’ just has to say thanks to have such great exponents.

*Photographs by Roger Capa (discussed or mentioned):

*References
Robert Capa by wikipedia (Online)
Richard Whelan. Robert Capa in Love and War. (WebCT)
Magnum Photos: Robert Capa. WebCT