1) Pieter Hugo is a self-taught photographer. He gets his inspiration mostly from media. He prefers to take photos that will start a conversation or a debate, because at that point the photo has succeeded. Most of his projects are based on portraiture.
2) In a series of photographs titled ‘Hyena and the Other Men’, Hugo photographs this group over a series of weeks in Nigeria. He stayed with them for a few weeks. Owning a hyena, which has been handed down for generations, is more than social status, it’s how they make money. Often associated with magic, the Hyena handlers as they’ve come to be called use the hyenas as a means of selling herbs, and or putting on shows. His photos seem to give the viewer a sense of culture. From a very young age, of around 15, the boys are taught how to catch, tame, and handle the hyenas so that they can carry on the tradition and status of what it means to be a hyena handler. Just as this group of men benefits financially from the animals, other small businesses benefits as well by either transporting the group, or off of the meat that they catch on their hunts.
Both the last two photos depict a toxic wasteland where computers have been discarded. Many people go through the wasteland to find metals. Most of the metals is subsequently sold to China, or Nigeria. Those that work in the toxic wasteland don’t wear any protective gear. It’s a bit ironic that we’ve advanced so much in technology, yet these people are living in poverty going through the pieces looking for metals which to sell.
3) His photos incorporate a sense of political awareness. The depth of color, and use of space in the photos are good. As a self-taught photographer his photos tell a story. They show culture, social and political status, as well as the hardship that these people go through on a daily basis just to survive.
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