Edward S. Curtis, Little Hawk
Edward S. Curtis, Little Hawk , Portfolio 3, Teton Sioux, Yanktonai, Assinaboin (sic) from The North American Indian (1908)
This photograph is part of Edward S. Curtis' collection of images taken of Indian subjects which included their culture and how they lived, giving an overall portrayal of their livelihood through photography. It is noted that Curtis' interests lie in the portraits of the Native American, or American Indian - a term preferred by the Native's. The most recognisable signifier in this photograph identifies how personal it is due to the nature of an intimate portrait. Yet there are features in the photograph that Curtis used to encourage different ideas and attitudes of the Indians. In particular, Curtis focused on the use of effects within his photography to convey these sense of characters of the Indians. For example, the use of light within the photograph highlights the sense of the Indian's peacefulness due to the connotations of white light and the respect they have for their land, environment and people. The angle of the Indian's stature and posture demonstrates a sense of nobility and strength that the tribe's exuded because of their warrior attributes and tribal way of living.
The effect of the focusing and blurring certain areas in the photograph not only creates dimension to the photo but how it contributes to the overall message of the image is important to how Curtis particularly wanted to reveal his perspective and vision of the Indian's. Referring back to the use of light in the photograph in conjunction with the blur at the bottom of the photograph on the Indian's chest, signifies perhaps these ideas of peacefulness and sense of community that the Indian's inhibited. The significance of the placement of the light and blur on the chest could be related to the soul of the Indian which was an important aspect of their culture. The Indian's believe that the human soul exists before birth and that they come from the Great Spirits, therefore this photograph demonstrates the sacredness of their beliefs.
Although it can be viewed that this photograph is quite personal due to the intended meaning of taking a portrait, Curtis himself captioned the photography by stating, 'This portrait exhibits the typical Brule (Lakota Sioux) physiognomy.' Therefore, this reveals how perhaps by Curtis expressing how this is just a general appearance of an Indian, it reinforces the stereotype that gets attached to groups such as the Indians particularly in the West due to the way they dress, how they look and how they live. Yet, the notion of a portrait, especially in photography is to highlight the individualistic attributes and characteristics in someone. Overall, this photograph unlike perhaps a painting reflects a true, more personal representation of the subject matter, in this case, the Indian's, as Curtis wanted to express as part of his Native American Project.
The effect of the focusing and blurring certain areas in the photograph not only creates dimension to the photo but how it contributes to the overall message of the image is important to how Curtis particularly wanted to reveal his perspective and vision of the Indian's. Referring back to the use of light in the photograph in conjunction with the blur at the bottom of the photograph on the Indian's chest, signifies perhaps these ideas of peacefulness and sense of community that the Indian's inhibited. The significance of the placement of the light and blur on the chest could be related to the soul of the Indian which was an important aspect of their culture. The Indian's believe that the human soul exists before birth and that they come from the Great Spirits, therefore this photograph demonstrates the sacredness of their beliefs.
Although it can be viewed that this photograph is quite personal due to the intended meaning of taking a portrait, Curtis himself captioned the photography by stating, 'This portrait exhibits the typical Brule (Lakota Sioux) physiognomy.' Therefore, this reveals how perhaps by Curtis expressing how this is just a general appearance of an Indian, it reinforces the stereotype that gets attached to groups such as the Indians particularly in the West due to the way they dress, how they look and how they live. Yet, the notion of a portrait, especially in photography is to highlight the individualistic attributes and characteristics in someone. Overall, this photograph unlike perhaps a painting reflects a true, more personal representation of the subject matter, in this case, the Indian's, as Curtis wanted to express as part of his Native American Project.
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