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Stories of photographs that changed the world - When the lens becomes society's eye

The world around us is constantly evolving, and photography has the power to capture these changes and transmit them to future generations. This is a tale of those unforgettable moments when photographers became witnesses to history and altered the course of the world through their lenses.

Florence Owens Thompson
Florence Owens Thompson

Dorothea Lange and the confession of the great depression


The image of 32-year-old migrant mother, Florence Owens Thompson, with her three children became an icon of the Great Depression. Dorothea Lange captured this moment in 1936, and the photograph symbolizes the suffering and despair of many Americans during that severe economic crisis. It reminds us that behind every photograph lies a story, one that can open our eyes to the human condition.


Apollo 8 - "Earthrise"


In 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission, astronauts became the first humans to witness the Earth from space. The photograph "Earthrise" depicts our planet rising above the Moon's horizon. This image serves as a reminder of our planet's fragility and the need to protect it for future generations.




Earthrise, 1968
Earthrise, 1968

The Vietnam war - "The Napalm girl"


Photographer Nick Ut captured the moment when a nine-year-old girl, Kim Phúc, ran naked from the flames after a napalm attack in Vietnam in 1972. This photograph became a symbol of civilian suffering amidst the war and compelled the world to contemplate the consequences of armed conflicts on innocents.

Phan Thi Kim Phuc
Phan Thi Kim Phuc

Nelson Mandela and freedom


Photographs of Nelson Mandela walking out of prison in 1990, after spending 27 years behind bars, became a symbol of hope and the struggle for freedom. These images depict the moment when one of the most prominent leaders in the fight against apartheid walked towards freedom and reconciliation in South Africa.

Mandela, 1990
Mandela, 1990

Racism and Civil Rights - "Selma to Montgomery"


Photographs from the protest marches in Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965 depict courageous Americans fighting against racism and for civil rights. These images helped raise awareness about inequality and contributed to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1965.

The civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965, Source: Library of Congress
The civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965, Source: Library of Congress

Martin Luther King Jr. and the Dream of Equality


The photograph of Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963 during the March on Washington has become a symbol of the fight for civil rights and equality in the United States. In this image, you can see King addressing a massive audience in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This picture symbolizes the power of speech and hope for a better future.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I Have a Dream speech, Source: The U.S. National Archives, Source: The U.S. National Archives
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I Have a Dream speech, Source: The U.S. National Archives, Source: The U.S. National Archives

Photographs are more than mere images. They are windows to our past, mirrors of our reality, and bridges to our future. Every time a lens turns towards the world, a new story is created. In those moments, photographers become the architects of history, changing the world with their images. And for us, the viewers, it remains an honor to witness these unforgettable moments that we share in the present and carry into the future.

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