National Geographic

Summary: In his article, “The Confident Gaze,” Shekhar Deshpande speaks of National Geographic magazine. Most recently National Geographic came out with a special issue, “India: Turning Fifty.” This issue was celebrating the 50^th anniversary of India’s independence. National Geographic has the third largest subscription base in the United States. Many Americans consider National Geographic a solid cultural reference, sharing coverage of various cultures from around the world. National Geographic uses photography to showcase countries, allowing the viewers to escape into another culture. Deshpande suggests, “National Geographic has made an aesthetic of its own photography. It attempts to sanitize and universalize the uncomfortable as well as different elements of other cultures.” The photographs become beautiful works of art that the viewers admire. As viewers, we forget who is capturing these photographs. The photographer’s purpose is to peak our interest, engage our curiosity. This gives the viewers incentive to purchase the magazine. The editors and photographers are well aware of what sells, and what we want to see. As viewers, we want to see the world as a “happy” place. Another words, bloody conflict, and other worldly issues is not what we desire to see, thus it will not sell. As simply observers of various cultures from our own living room, we are kept at a distance. Our minds are blocked from the reality of the culture.

Deshpande elaborates, “When we speak of an aesthetic of photography in a magazine we notice that in this magazine, the bloody conflicts from Afghanistan to East Timor become picturesque achievements that can be looked at one’s coffee table without being troubled by the conditions in which these photographs were taken.” The reality of these various cultures is glorified for our own Western civilized eyes. As Americans, we feel educated and somewhat sophisticated because we purchased National Geographic. This proves to others we care about what is going on in the world. As Americans face the facts, we will realize National Geographic is providing a glorified reality. Our minds left ignorant, we don’t know the real truth behind these photographs.