In the summer of 2004, I was teaching photojournalism to a dozen university students on a study abroad trip though Poland. If you asked anybody what the most memorable part of the experience was, they would probably point to our visit to Auschwitz and Birkenau, the two adjacent Nazi death camps that are often referred to, singly, as Auschwitz.
I shot this collection of photographs during the three-hour tour of the Auschwitz-Birkenau compound. Taken as a whole, I think these images are an exceptional example of the ability of photography to escape its literal bias, and to show the viewer something different than what I actually saw that day.
This online gallery includes audio narration of my thoughts about photographing Auschwitz. If you are traveling to Auschwitz, the movie may help you understand what to expect, what type of camera to bring, and why. Click here to view the Auschwitz Multimedia Exhibit.
Tags: Auschwitz-Birkenau, holga photography, holocaust, photography tips, photojournalism, pictures, professor, visual studies
Scott Oestringer wrote,
Interesting photography and great site. I went to Auschwitz in August 2006 and will be going again this year (2011) in July and am studying the photographic works of others to develop my own ideas prior to going. Just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed looking at your work and learning how you did it. In the link I have provided is a video I created and posted on Youtube, which I use during occasional lectures on the Holocaust. The camera used was a Sony Cybershot, a simple point & shoot. I converted all photos from color to black & white (some in sepia), except for a few that seemed more appropriate to leave in color. The photos in the beginning of the video are of those who were murdered at Auschwitz.
Scott Oestringer
Link | March 19th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
Scott Oestringer wrote,
For whatever reason the link I noted in my previous post did not appear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwjyrG9Hybc
Link | March 19th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Auschwitz holocaust pictures wrote,
[...] Auschwitz Photography Exhibit : Holga Pictures of the Holocaust … Auschwitz Photography Exhibit : Holga Pictures of the Holocaust Site. In the summer of 2004, I was teaching … [...]
Link | July 15th, 2011 at 6:30 am