Nicholas Nixon
Usually not everyone sure about what happens around them. For that purpose, Photography is used as a medium to reach out to others. Photography is used to choose how we represent ourselves and how others see what is being portrayed. You can take a simple thing that has occurred in your life and share with others. But you have to also take into consideration about being truthful to the viewers. You can’t manipulate the image to for your own bias. No bias should be included, just straight forward accuracy. You can consider that documentary photography. This genre of photography has the most relevance to our society as these are actually events that are happening and they might have some impact to our lives.
As humans, we respond more to photos than words. When we hear about a certain event, we get a general idea. When we see a picture, we actually know what is happening. You can prove something with credible evidence. You can’t believe someone if they say that several million people died from the actions of the Srebrenica genocide, where there were plans to exterminate the Muslim population in Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Everyone’s jaws dropped when they actually witness photos and footage of the massacre. It just goes to show that we might believe in the word of mouth but we will certainly believe in it if we see proof of it. Documentary plays a big part in spreading social issues. There are always opinion here and there and there is a need to document accurately which basically playoff the photographers integrity to be honest with the viewer, to let viewers make an opinion not give them their own opinion.
When we look at the past, we see all o0f the issues that society faced then and is certainly part of history. Documentary photography has helped preserve and share photographs of back then and show society how the things that they faced. This brings to the brilliant work of Walker Evans. He was a man of perseverance and tremendous integrity. He was one of many photographers that documented society’s state during the depression. The depression period showed how vulnerable that people can be but also, from the historical standpoint; it helped future generations the hardships people that had to go through. Evans documented it from the social issue standpoint with the intention of helping the people affected. To sum it up, Evans documented the social landscape during that time and focused on the hope that people on making their lives better given the fact that they were facing such hardships.
Walker Evans has played a big role in documentary photography and he has influenced many photographers. The influence of Evans’ appears in many of Nicholas Nixon’s work. Nicholas Nixon follows the same ideal of documenting as Evans and his subjects were people and society. Looking at Nixon’s work, you could understand the social issues people face fact. This is similar to Evans’ work since they goal was capture the issues that society face but as well, give viewers what is happening around them. Nixon’s images are compelling and consist of people having hope or no hope.
America is considered the land of opportunities and Nixon’s portrayal of all types of people and how they live their lives. It is quite resounding to just see him exploring social issues, especially into racism and aids. 
There are stereotypes associated with both of them and his portrayal of people showed what they went through but also the optimism that they felt. We are all humans and we expect to be treated equally but there is always social injustice and people are always let down.
Nicholas Nixon has definitely made huge impact with his photography. His photographer has helped people open up their eyes to what America had become and how far it has come to become a country of its reputable magnitude. America is considered the land of the free where people chase their dreams. His work allowed to show what people were doing and how they could live with themselves and with others in society. He has same perseverance as Walker Evans for his generation but he also used Evans’ influence to help the public but also make a name for the work he has done.http://www.leegallery.com/evans.html
http://www.nyip.com/ezine/techtips/spotlight-nicholasnixon.html
http://www.artnet.com/awc/nicholas-nixon.html
