Couple o' Nuggets

Hey all-

The first nugget is the passing of photographer Dennis Stock. You may not know who he was, but you know his work. Check out his obit, and a slide show of his work here.

The 2nd nugget is an interesting article in the Washington Post style section about the graphic nature of the images being used in the coverage of the earthquake in Haiti. I had noticed that the images were a little more intense then what I was used to it. You can read the article here.

Now, I am not photojournalist, and other than a minor dabble in sport photography, I don't have much experience in this part of the photo world. In fact for me, it both points out why I am not a photojournalist and also how hard it is to be one. I have met many, and it is something you have to respect. These folks put themselves in harms way constantly in the name of reporting. Also, the pick up their camera and stay on the sidelines so as to not affect the story as it unfolds in front of them. The ethical debate on this last point will never end. I get both sides, and respect both sides, but for me I would be putting the camera down and helping out.

Two anecdotes on this last point:

1st - On September 11th 2001, my friend and colleague Heinz Kluetmeier was in New York at his loft. He is a staff photographer for Sports Illustrated, and veteran news photographer dating back to the 60's said he could not bring himself to go and photograph the disaster that was the twin towers, even though he could have just walked down to it from his place. He said that if it was his job, he would have done it, but without that impetus, he couldn't make himself do it.

2nd - Vincent Laforet was one of the first to send images out showing the ravages of Hurricane Katrina (at the time he was a staff photographer for the NY Times). He said that it was the hardest thing he has ever done. To the point that he was almost trying to get himself kicked out of areas so that he did not have to face it anymore. Contrary to the usual response that PJs get when they ask for permission ("No! Get the hell outta here!") he was given free reign to photograph everything and get the images out so that the public outside of New Orleans could get a better understanding of the level of disaster. So, it was ultimately for the better good, and he pushed on.

what do you think?

pete