A Study of Photojournalism: Judah Passow

 

        This photo shows a reflection of New York City in the window of a Muslim-owned shoe store in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The photo explores the tensions between Americans and Muslims with a sense of symbolism in the reflection.  The American flags, statue of liberty and city buildings are bolder than anything that can be seen inside the window of the store, showing that America tends to overshadow the Muslim minority.  

        The photo was taken in 2001 by Jewish photojournalist Judah Passow and appeared with other photos depicting Islam in New York in a photo book entitled Shattered Dreams. Shattered Dreams displays Passow's 25-year coverage of conflict among Arab nations. The collection can also be seen on his personal website.  The book, published in 2008, displays other photographs that look at the larger conflict in the Middle East, especially that between Israel and Palestine. 

        Judah Passow was born in Israel and has spent his career photographing conflicts in the Middle East.  Although he is Jewish, Passow doesn’t photograph the issues from one side—in fact he often shows Palestinians as the victims (Photojournalism 1855 to the Present).  Passow is based in London, and his work has been published in both American magazines as well as European magazines. He has won the World Press Photo Contest for his work in the Middle East.  Passow also form Further Vision, a media production that works to expand traditional photojournalism with new digital technology.

        The photos that accompany this photo show Muslims in New York as Americans as they practice their religious and cultural traditions.  On shows an Arab barber with an American flag hanging in his shop and another photo shows a young man wearing a New York Yankees cap during a prayer at a New York mosque.

        This photo displays news values of art, drama, proximity and timeliness.  It is more of an artistic photograph than a hard news photo yet it still tells the story of American-Muslim tensions.  Although the photograph was taken in New York City, it provides a sense of proximity for all Americans, especially Americans in minority groups.  The issue that was photographed was timely for the time it was taken, and it is an issue that still affects Americans and Muslims today.