damn, why didn't I take that pic?

CameraQuest

CameraQuest

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August 2004

USS Arizona Memorial building

Looking out towards the USS Arizona and USS Missouri from the memorial building.

in between is a Jr. baseball team, in uniform shirts, proudly displaying their home town on their backs. I looked in disbelief.

I just could not take the pic, and I did not.

The town? Hiroshima.

True story, believe it or not. Maybe not all pics are made to be taken.

Stephen
 
That was a picture that was both made to be taken and even more so, made to be published. Messages like that are so important in today's world.
 
I think you missed a photo that needed taking, I can think of many other conflicts that history should consign to the sports field

P.S. and I’d like to be there to take pictures
 
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>>Yeah what stopped you?<<

Taking a picture is always a personal choice.

When I used to do news assignments, I was much more intrusive because I felt I was making images on behalf of the public interest. With my own photography, I am more circumspect.

On the other hand, children from Hiroshima visiting Pearl Harbor is a great image of reconciliation and healing, with lots of mixed emotions from both sides. Unike a lot of American school groups, I'll bet the Hiroshima kids had a pretty good understanding of war and its unintended consequences.
 
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There are times when I see a great photo opportunity, and decide not to take the photo, mostly on "ethical" or dignity grounds.

For example, when I was at Pere Lachaise, I had been taking photos of offerings; during my walk, I saw the most beautiful scene, a beautifully-dressed woman cleaning a tomb, rearranging the flowers. And then I noticed she was quietly crying. A lot. We were quite "alone" for a very wide radius; I decided to just move on, as I put my camera away.
 
Gabriel M.A. said:
There are times when I see a great photo opportunity, and decide not to take the photo, mostly on "ethical" or dignity grounds.

For example, when I was at Pere Lachaise, I had been taking photos of offerings; during my walk, I saw the most beautiful scene, a beautifully-dressed woman cleaning a tomb, rearranging the flowers. And then I noticed she was quietly crying. A lot. We were quite "alone" for a very wide radius; I decided to just move on, as I put my camera away.
Click to expand...


I totally understand and respect that. I would do the same.
 
CameraQuest said:
The town? Hiroshima.

True story, believe it or not. Maybe not all pics are made to be taken.
Click to expand...

It would have been a powerful picture.

If it were taken as a statement of healing or closure, I think it would have been appropriate, however.
 
It seems to me he certainly did take the picture; he just didn't use his camera. His description of the scene took me there. I have a few "shots" not recorded with film but remain vivid and fresh.

Bob
 
I thought the post was going to be something along the lines of; "If I only had a R4M with me....".

I think it would've been OK to snap the pic, but I agree with Gabriel's choice.

Mark
 
Same with Gabriel. I have taken some, but most of the time I decide not to take the shot if it compromises someone's dignity, or is very intrusive. Or sometimes I take it if I can do so discreetly, and decide if I will keep it for myself rather than show it publicly.
 
I think I would have taken it, but that is just me. I totally respect anyone's choice not to photograph a scene. I have made similar choices based on my own feelings of a particular situation.

One of the reasons I would have taken it is that it wouldn't have had the emotional impact on me that Stephen felt. I would have appreciated the contrast and irony, but not been hit on a particularly emotional level. That's just me. I was born just before the US got into WWII. I still have some memories from the time of war, and the years immediately following. Nobody I knew felt sorry for the Japanese. I know the Japanese have their own perspective of the war and they are entitled to it. So do others. I can feel compassion for individuals, but not for the then current Japanese policies. But, we are all products of our upbringing and experiences.

Stephen made the right choice for himself. That is what counts. And as mentioned, the "picture" now lives not only in his mind, but the mind of all of us. Thanks for that Stephen.
 
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