El Grito de la Muerte (The Scream of Death) 1985

Think black and white is boring? Think again! 👇 This monotone black and white photograph captures an active and spirited scene on the streets of Mexico. It depicts a young man with an open mouth, roaring at the sky. The upper half of his face is covered with a skeletal mask, so that only his mouth can be seen. In the background, blurred by the camera’s depth of focus, stands a crowd of people who watch the man. Some of the onlookers smile in amusement, while others observe with folded arms. Born in 1950, Yolanda Andrade is a Mexican photographer. She specialises in black and white images which convey a sense of authenticity. Rather than rely on digital cameras, Andrade prefers to use traditional analog (film) photography methods. Her work often centres on people; she has been known to capture unplanned natural images during protests and festivals. She uses photography as a form of documentary, capturing the spirit of everyday life and the ‘Mexican passion’ for communal expressions of culture. 📸 The Day of the Dead is a festival widely observed in Mexico. Held at the beginning of November, the day celebrates and commemorates deceased loved ones. Skulls and skeletons are key images seen throughout the holiday. Here, the man hides his identity with the mask of a skull. Could this be a reminder of the universality of death? ☠️ The Day of the Dead is a festival typically associated with vibrant colour. Despite the black and white palette of Andrade’s photograph, it is alive with energy and dynamism. ⚡️ Editor: Lucy Jude Grantham