Confined Moments

An Analysis of Photography as a Visual Testimony of Covid-19

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a health crisis and initiated an era of social transformations. Photography emerged as a tool to document the impacts of this crisis, capturing moments that became historical records. The images incorporate the vision of the photographers, contributing to the collective memory of the events. This is visible in the photographs that tell the story of the pandemic. We analyze five images from Medicins Sans Frontieres in different countries, in light of the concepts of Kossoy (2012) and Joly (2007), which discuss the nature and language of photography. The application of analysis at the pre-iconographic, iconographic, and iconological levels, according to the methodology of Panofsky (1989), reveals deeper meanings, offering insights into the messages in these photographs. This research highlights the importance of these images and their ability to tell the story of a challenging period.

By directing our attention to five specific images from Medicins Sans Frontieres in different countries, we aim to analyze them in light of the concepts presented by Kossoy (2012) and Joly (2007), exploring the documentary nature and intrinsic language of photography. Furthermore, the application of analysis at the pre-iconographic, iconographic, and iconological levels, following Panofsky's methodology (1989), reveals deeper layers of meaning, providing valuable insights into the underlying messages present in these photographs. Ultimately, this research seeks to highlight not only the historical significance of these images but also their ability to transcend time, uniquely telling the story of a challenging and transformative period.