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.
Weapon-Wielding Wartography
Ken Hermann's 'Boys With Guns' Puts a Face on War
Trend Themes
1. Weaponized Portraiture - The incorporation of weapons in portraiture for artistic expression and commentary.
2. Humanization of Warfare - The focus on the individuals involved in war and conflict, rather than political or ideological agendas.
3. Borderline Reality - The blurring of lines between fact and fiction in visual media representation of conflict and violence.
Industry Implications
1. Photography - Developing new and provocative approaches to visual storytelling through the use of unconventional themes and subjects.
2. Military Equipment Production - Incorporating aspects of art and design into military equipment and weaponry to improve appeal and marketing.
3. Journalism - Utilizing innovative visual storytelling techniques to better highlight individual experiences and perspectives related to global conflict and security issues.