Photographing Combat Death

Art makes a very powerful argument which cannot be ignored. However on the whole I`m minded to think that Stewart makes a more pragmatic case.My worry would be that powerful forces would manipulate such material in order to weaken resolve and undermine the objective.I would also be concerned about the impact such material would have on individual families but ack that in the case highlighted by Art that brought about some peace. Difficult area,to state the obvious.
 
Have just re read this entire thread and the article, a lot of cliches come to mind here, `ethical and moral minefield, hawks and doves, left and right, pacifist and the `other?

I cannot find any reference to photos of those who are killed due to `collateral damage` or if anyone gives a **** about their and thier families rights or permission to publish, and really, those that are published are usually far more shocking.
The whole truth please.
 
Michael Markey said:
Art makes a very powerful argument which cannot be ignored. However on the whole I`m minded to think that Stewart makes a more pragmatic case.My worry would be that powerful forces would manipulate such material in order to weaken resolve and undermine the objective.I would also be concerned about the impact such material would have on individual families but ack that in the case highlighted by Art that brought about some peace. Difficult area,to state the obvious.
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I guess I should thank you. Yes, the Government media could pose the action also. Unfortunately back then Military photogs didn't have a choice. Today we non military embeded "sorta" do. Photograph what they/we want, and you stay in the loop, take pics they don't want released, and you are out.
So, yes, today there is censorship. Ask ANY embedded civilian Photog, off camera of course. All of their pics are screened. As far as soldiers being able to post their pics, they too, are screened. This current war is NO exception. They can be Articled for their posts.
 
Artorius said:
Bill.
This is a sore subject for me. As a Navy Combat Photographer with two tours, from 1970 to Nov. 1972, I personally experienced the war in Viet Nam, as well as having to photograph the atrocities on both sides. As a Combat Photographer, I had to send all my work to NPC(Naval Photographic Center in DC). They would determine the photos to distribute to the media.
Long story short, about 1979, an unknown media outlet found a photo I had taken, and published it. In 1984, I received a letter from the parents of one of the soldiers in one my many thousand photos(he was deceased, headad for a Dust Off). Anyway the parents through their perseverance, and with some great detective work , found me through NPC. All they wanted was to thank me, and let me know they had finally found closure. I was told by them that he had been listed as an MIA. They had recognized him in that picture, and were happy to finally to end their grief. If I had been able to publish more, how many more families would be relieved?
For me, one is not enough. I really think the Media Policy had screwed up. Although I am thankful that, what I did, at least helped one family of the many.
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Thanks for an impressive post which brought tears to my eyes. It does however well illustrate the danger of anecdotal argument: another soldier's family might have felt the exact opposite. All we can do is take the side that commands our instinctive and intellectual sympathy. Which your story does for me.

Cheers,

R.
 
Well said ,Roger.
Art,the thanks is all mine for your valuable and sensitive post. I , thank god,have no first hand knowledge of this subject . Always pays to listen carefully to those who have.
 
JSU said:
Bill--

Eddie Adams shocked a country with his image of a street execution in Saigon,
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This is exactly what I am talking about if you are referring to the guy shot with a pistol in the street by a Vietnamese soldier, I personally knew 3 other Military Photographers that photographed the same thing. None were published.
Try to get embedded in todays conflict and you need to follow the whims and policies of the commander in charge of that theater.
Yes, there are lowlifes and oppurtinests that will twist the meaning of anything in support of there cause. I personally feel that Respect is due to the fighting men/women who support our rights of freedom.

nuff said, I'm done venting.
 
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