Aspiring pros challenge stereotypes in crisis photos at Xposure

Sharjah 24: Photography fans and practitioners took lessons in humanitarian photography from Spanish documentary photographer Lys Arango at a Focus Group session titled ‘Challenging Visual Stereotypes’ during the ongoing 9th annual International Photography Festival, Xposure, at Aljada, Sharjah on Saturday. Arango, who has covered armed conflicts and environmental crises across the world, explained how photographers can move beyond stereotypes and clichés to create imagery that respects the dignity of their subjects while still engaging global audiences.

Discussion on the ethics of representation

Using examples from her projects, Lys led a discussion on the ethics of representation, the impact of visual tropes, and strategies for creating nuanced, impactful work. Participants shared their thoughts, asked questions, and reflected on how to approach storytelling with greater sensitivity and care.

With sufficient famous examples – campaigns against hunger, Kevin Carter’s iconic photograph of the dying little girl and the waiting vulture during the 1993 Sudan Famine or a fashion brand using an AIDS patient’s last moments with his family to sell clothes – Arango said such imagery was not dignifying the person whatever the cause.

She asked the audience some pointed questions like who benefits from stereotypical humanitarian imagery and who is harmed by them and they actively participated, taking valuable lessons in empathy and human dignity. She also talked about funding and media influence on the kind of images circulated, asking them if any image had changed their perception of a social issue. For her, the ad by the fashion brand was an eye opener in treating her subjects with dignity.

Collaborative efforts

Her work, recognised by awards such as the National Geographic Award and Picture of the Year, has striven to move beyond cliches. She dwelt on her collaborative efforts with Syrian refugees at a camp where they documented their daily lives through a photography project or with natives from Guatemala tackling corn shortage in the wake of climate change.

Arango gave participants a case study at the far end of her talk – how a photographer covering a refugee crisis can ensure their images challenge stereotypes while still drawing attention to the issue. Each team discussed and presented a strategy to avoid visual stereotypes and focus on plates, food packets or kitchens without dwelling too closely on human faces or their misery.

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), Xposure 2025 runs from February 20 - 26. It features 100-plus galleries, over 300 renowned photographers and over 2500 pictures.

Learn more about the global celebration platform for visual storytelling . Visit https://xposure.net/.