What is Iconic ?

The Getty Images Master Collection captures the people, places and moments that have shaped history. Their e-book cited below, profiles some of the most prolific photographers of the 20th Century and their work. But what makes an image iconic? What does it mean to be an icon? How does a photo earn the status? Evie Salmon, a writer, artist and cultural critic, gives us her take: “By making an image to be observed, framed and exhibited in such a way that it outlasts both the subject and the producer, we find ourselves with the ability to construct objects of worship. It could then be said that photography doesn't merely record iconicity but also generates it.” ‘Icon’ means ‘image’.

Iconic” also refers to a particular kind of image that resembles rather than symbolizes an object. A photograph is iconic because when we look through old albums, we see the faces of our loved ones, the bad weather on the beach, the terrible haircuts. A text is symbolic because when we dig out the old postcards, we read a name, we don’t see a face. The jumbled up collection of letters tells us about the day at the seaside and it’s up to our minds to somehow fill in the rest. Writing [and public speaking] presents a series of images that we have to decode; photography, painting and film convey images that apparently communicate a direct impression of the objects they record.

‘Icon’ also carries a third, cultural implication. It describes an image, person, action or object that carries an obvious meaning, while at the same time hinting at another idea which is less obvious, but possibly more significant. This is the territory of the religious icon: a painting that depicts a spiritual image, figure or scene. In part, it ‘stands in’ for that figure but at the same time, it’s used as an aid to worship. It allows the user to access the divine. An icon is then two things at once; it is simultaneously an image and an idea, it is both a sign and a symbol.” [ Source ]

Icons on Major Themes – hunger, inhumanity, stupidity, etc.

http://worldtraining.net/vulture-child.jpg This iconic photo has its own pathetic conclusion
for its photographer who perhaps pushed the limits. See his other famous iconic photo.

http://all-that-is-interesting.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/kevin-carter-necklacing.jpg

‪The Independent‪ 2048 × 1772‪

‪If these extraordinarily powerful images of a dead Syrian child washed up on a beach can't change
Europe voters' attitude to refugees, what will?‬

http://i3.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article882919.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Polar%20Bear%20by%20Carla%20Lombardo%20Ehrlich Bear on Iceberg [ Note: Cartoons (or MS clip art) may trivialize your issue.]

Ocean Pollution Icons: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/FTurihxSTnI/0.jpg The Tortoise Taught Us What?

Top Ten Pacific Garbage Patch Elements:

http://edmondsbeacon.villagesoup.com/media/Common/BeaconPublishing/2016/2/17/1911618/f-Garbage.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9a/1c/a8/9a1ca85f443f1c40d48db840a50f1e6d.jpg

head in trash-water

http://worldtraining.net/AB-Europa-Earth.jpg Earth H20 compared

http://worldtraining.net/ABDonaldAdolf-Bible.png

http://worldtraining.net/Arcticice.jpg

http://worldtraining.net/coalasfuel.jpg

http://worldtraining.net/earthwater.jpg

World Map Chart http://strangesounds.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Great-Pacific-Garbage-Patch.png

http://www.wonderslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Murder-of-Vietcong-by-Saigon-Police-Chief.jpg

http://www.wonderslist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/The-Terror-of-War.jpg
Recently the subject of a “child porn” controversy in Facebook.

http://www.rescuepost.com/.a/6a00d8357f3f2969e201a3fbf5998f970b-pi
Minamota, Japan methylmercury tragedy

Freshwater Crisis: http://66.media.tumblr.com/4cb38a4fa395a2294108cfb78877fc02/tumblr_mr4mphMpkI1qdvdz5o1_1280.jpg *

Central Asia Energy Complex: http://worldtraining.net/oil.jpg

Top Ten Lists – good for attention getting but remember the Rule of Threes.

The Top Ten of Everything in 2016. http://time.com/collection/top-10-list-2016/

The Top 10 of Everything – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Top_10_of_Everything

Top 10 of Everything is an internationally distributed illustrated reference book of quantifiable Top 10 lists on a diverse variety of subjects, written by Russell Ash .

Top Ten Killers in the US: Guns are a problem, but prioritize
http://worldtraining.net/TopTenKillers.htm

Top Ten Federal Land Areas: One reason why so many want to “privatize” your country.

https://www.vox.com/2015/2/16/8046349/federal-government-land-by-state

http://assets3.bigthink.com/system/tinymce_assets/942/original/top_10.png?1422310490

Top Ten Internet Cartoon Memes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_rEdu3k6iI