Media Analysis
Black Surfers
This project is a critical analysis essay that focuses on one image. The image in focus is a photo titled “Black Surfers” by Fede Kortez. The essay explains the importance of photography as a medium and how it has the potential to transform long-existing and pre-existing societal understandings of culture. The main idea is that photography is a form of evidence. The realism of photography in this case is highlighted as a powerful tool to change perspective and reveal truth. This image of Black surfers captures a rare reality. The underrepresentation and underparticipation of surfing amongst Black communities is put into perspective with this image. This paper discusses the historical context of Black communities in aquatic spaces across the Diaspora, the importance of photography in changing this narrative and reality, and an analysis of Fede Kortez’s editorial photo, “Black Surfers.”