Ethics of the Situation

[SolaresLarrave]

One way to solve the dilemma... If I were hurt in the presence of a PJ, and the individual started photographing me instead of helping, I wouldn't forgive or forget that callousness.

However, in the photo & story, things seem to have been under control when the shooter snapped his photo. Lurid? Yes... but then, that's the kind of newspaper item that sells.

 

[Krasnaya_Zvezda]

The woman in the photo who's apparently rendering aid, it appears to me by looking at her face she has a definite opinion of whether the photog should be shooting or not.
She looks like she's just about to say "WTF are you DOing?"

 

[kiev4a]

Maybe it's just how I'm reading it now, but I didn't mean for my last post to sound abrasive. If it does, I apologize.

Kiev4a: You should've been commended for your reactions. I hope most people would do the same.

Rick

The man who was shot sent me a thank you card. I felt it was worth more than any award I might have won for a photo.

BTW: The shooter was caught later in the day. He saw me taking his picture and said something to the effect that he had thought about shooting me too but decided the camera wasn't a danger!

 

[dreilly]

The kind of "community ethics" that I wish were the norm would dictate that I try to aid the situation before taking a picture. But if I didn't know how to lend aid, or if others were doing it, then I'd take the picture.

I'm not sure where I stand on sensationalism. That link to the Madrid bombing photo is instructive and I hadn't seen that case before. I'm of two minds: repeated graphic imagery may dull people's (presumably health) revulsion of violence and war, while hiding such images from the public eye sends the message that violence/war/crime has no real impact.

I guess I lean towards the last proposition. People need to see the consequences of violence, be it our own or somebody elses. A good photograph can bring that home.

I remember the director of Three Kings talking about the portrayal of violence in that film, and he stressed how he wanted the audience to come away with an idea of what every shot fired meant in terms of human cost. That's a very rare attitude for filmmakers and especially TV journalists. He partially succeeded with his visceral images of a bullet entering a body. It's a different format and context, but it worked towards this goal.

The quality of the photo comes into play. To me, this photo didn't get the moment entirely. The blood works, and it isn't all that graphic. But it's the other people that don't do it for me, the angry look at the photographer doesn't work here for me, neither does the man looking away. It gives me a sense of helplessness and distance that I think would lead readers to despair. I wonder what the other photos looked like...?

 

[Kat]

I think we are humans first before we are photographers. Helping others should be more important than taking a picture, if we have to choose between the two. But if help is not necessary or can't be done, I don't see any problem with taking pictures if the intention is to record the event, not to take advantage of the situation, to sensionalize, etc. (however, intent is hard to figure, it's more of a personal internal thing that only you will ever truly know, so that's for your conscience).

I remember I was walking along a street once, and a building was on fire. I was saddened by the tragedy, but I also found the firefighters' efforts to save it something I wanted to capture and wished I had my camera with me at that moment (I didn't, it wasn't a very safe part of the town, you only carry what you absolutely need when you go there). Afterwards, I wondered if I was being calloused by thinking of it as an opportunity for picture taking, but I don't think it's wrong. As long as we don't forget that we are first human beings.

Besides, a picture might help--for instance, you might be able to record people and circumstances that no one else saw, which might help, say, solve a case or something.

 

[bmattock]

Actually, I considered war photographs specifically. To me, the images you list were remarkable events captured for the world to see. Each one those images were connected to events that had national and even global ramifications. Which is probably why the images were from Pulitzer winners.

For me, my first reaction to the shot you posted for this thread, was that the woman was in need of aid, not a photograph. That was my gut reaction. I'll stick with it.

Who decides what is a 'remarkable' photo for 'the world to see'? We might say that the Pulitzer committee makes those decisions, not the photojournalists, yes? And from do they draw, but the storehouse of published news photos from that year?

I have never yet taken a photo that made me think to myself "this has national or even global ramifications." That may be my fault - or the circumstances of my existance - or perhaps such things don't enter into the decision when the shoot/don't shoot decision is made.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[XAos]

Is there anyone on the planet that doesn't instinctively know to attempt to stop bleeding with direct pressure? But perhaps the thing I find most repulsive, is not the photograph itself, as they're already doing a) the most important thing they can do) b) about all they can do without equipment and training. Since there appears to be nothing the photographer can do beyond whats already being done - I dont fault him for trying to snap a picture.

What I find do disgusting is the newspaper's article about it, lauding the photographer for being "one of the first" on the scene. He looks like he's about third on the scene, and all he did was take a picture, if you want a story say something nice about the woman rendering aid (at risk to herself) rather than stroke the photographer's ego.

 

[Elmer Fishpaw]

If the victim/or husband of victim gave permission and first aid and ambulance are underway, then I think recording this was good but only for the purpose of trying to apprehend the perp or for use in court later as evidence. No problem then with the photographer, but did the newspaper do the right thing by publishing?

 

[bmattock]

Is there anyone on the planet that doesn't instinctively know to attempt to stop bleeding with direct pressure?

Does that work well for neck wounds? Just curious!

I don't hold a Red Cross First Aid card anymore - mine expired years ago. But I do recall that over the years, what we used to call 'artificial respiration' has changed quite a bit. What we used to do then is frowned upon now. I believe they call it 'rescue breathing' now and it is done differently. I wouldn't know where to begin.

And don't forget - there are places where there are no 'Good Samaritan' laws in place protecting non-trained immediate care-givers from being sued for making mistakes that end up hurting people instead of helping them.

I am not suggesting that anyone should refuse to render assistance for fear of being sued - just saying that it has happened that folks have been sued.


Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I have never yet taken a photo that made me think to myself "this has national or even global ramifications." That may be my fault - or the circumstances of my existance - or perhaps such things don't enter into the decision when the shoot/don't shoot decision is made.

You may not have thought this, but a professional photojournalist on assignment would. Otherwise I don't think they would accept assignments that place them in harms way.

 

[bmattock]

You may not have thought this, but a professional photojournalist on assignment would. Otherwise I don't think they would accept assignments that place them in harms way.

Really? Let's ask! I don't think so, but I could be wrong.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

I know a nominee from years past. Maybe we could ask him. 😀

 

[bmattock]

I know a nominee from years past. Maybe we could ask him. 😀

By all means, lets! I'll stipulate to whatever he says with regard to this.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

😀 😀 😀 😀

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Cool, I'll give my brother a call and see if he is willing to comment.