Does Haiti’s Crisis Call for a New Photojournalism?
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Does Haiti’s Crisis Call for a New Photojournalism?
Michael David Murphy ponders a number of interesting questions for photojournalists. I think many of these questions overlap what makes me uncomfortable about street photography even under the best of circumstances.
very interesting, and I think yes it would be better if the could have 1 photo journalist sent to one place and the other to another, but I think the way it works (not being an expert) is that they travel in a group. each organization want to have there own shots vs all deferent shots from deferent organization.
Edward: Right, and not all photographers are created equal… Some will get better images of the same shot than others.
My problem with it all is these photographers are eating well, sleeping well, taking showers and doing all of this while they document people who are starving and dying.
I know this is what being a “war photographer” is all about but it does bother me.
Yes, the photographers are living well, they have to live that way in order to get the shots their company is paying them to get. If they get sick, they send another photographer. In some cases, they are told not to share their food or to let the natives see them eating. They must stay healthy the entire time they’re there.
Apres: I get it, I really do. I don’t know about you, but if I were on assignment in Haiti and was one of those photographers, I’d have a hard time being among all of those starving, suffering people and not helping out in some way.
Yes, we can rationalize that a good photograph shared in the right places is helping out in a big way, but I’m not sure that would make me feel a lot better. It might, but sitting here it doesn’t help much.
I’m just saying all of this is interesting to ponder as one who follows but doesn’t do photojournalism.
Richard
I can see both sides here so here is a thought, If a photographer take a great picture and that picture moves the word and subsequently people all around the word give some money maybe that helps more then if they were moving rubble and who knows maybe they did help.
anyways as I said I can see both sides I agree with you and I also see the importance in taking a great shot for the word to see.
Edward: Absolutely, I said that and I agree. However, while taking that great picture that will change the world the photographer has to wear a face mask so as not to inhale the stench of rotting human flesh. Do you think you could do it? I’m not sure I could.
what do you mean could i do it? could i wear a mask to that that picture or could i go there without helping? non the less I think it is a very interesting point that you make and really I am not sure what the answer is.
I mean could you go there to take pictures, walk around and do your thing, go back to your hotel and have a meal and a bath and a good night’s sleep and go out and do it again the next day.
Of course it can be done, I’m just saying it would be tough.
The movie War Photographer comes to mind. It’s excellent. See it if you haven’t.
Here’s some more discussion about this:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/28yl6C/www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/01/photographing_tragedy_the_line.html?ft=1&f=97635953