No camera shake: documenting the human beast

[akptc]

There is a picture of a small child killed in the current Israeli-Lebanese conflict on page 25 of the July 24, 2006 edition of Newsweek. I cannot describe the horror it depicts. Once I wiped tears from face, I said a small prayer for the photographer who took it because I know that image will stay with him forever. As much as it kills me to see the fruits of ignorance, greed, and unrelenting stupidity of us humans, I am grateful for the courage of the photographers who show us who we really are. I guess the Human Beast will live on and the camera will be there to capture its cruel deeds.

 

[Ash]

It has always been the job of the photographer to depict such horrific things to the rest of the world. It made an effect at this time 100 years ago, but sadly ignorance has become the norm and photographs, no matter how upsetting, no longer make such a difference. There are fewer 'wars' but there is still just as much tragedy in the world. I can't remember the link to the thread, but there was another with a short documentary, and a photographer said he took some very very disturbing images, and would prefer never to publish them.

 

[clarence]

Does anyone here know about the Bang-Bang Club? It's quite sad, really, most of all because it represents a facet of the endemic crises that persist in the world and the trials of the photographers who cover them.

http://www.thisisyesterday.com/ints/KCarter.html

As Kurtz says, 'The horror, the horror.'

Clarence

 

[jan normandale]

Clarence and Ash; both good links, thanks!