I think 'Boys with guns' is a frightening concept, yet Ken Hermann has decided that it is in fact a very photographic one. Taking portraits of weapon-wielding men, I can't tell if these are true military/army personnel or models pretending to be so.
In the end, however, 'Boys with guns' is a powerful portrait series that needs no distinctions. It puts a face on the "war against terrorism," making the whole situation feel a lot more real.
What's Driving This Trend
- Weaponized Portraiture
- The incorporation of weapons in portraiture for artistic expression and commentary.
- Humanization of Warfare
- The focus on the individuals involved in war and conflict, rather than political or ideological agendas.
- Borderline Reality
- The blurring of lines between fact and fiction in visual media representation of conflict and violence.
Who This Affects Most
- Photography
- Developing new and provocative approaches to visual storytelling through the use of unconventional themes and subjects.
- Military Equipment Production
- Incorporating aspects of art and design into military equipment and weaponry to improve appeal and marketing.
- Journalism
- Utilizing innovative visual storytelling techniques to better highlight individual experiences and perspectives related to global conflict and security issues.
