I’d like to share some photos that have greatly influenced myself. These are some of the most powerful images I have ever seen, and they have affected me deeply.
In the latest issue of News Photographer there is a column on ethics by John Long titled Shoot First, Then Help. The column opens with a quote by Ron F. Smith: “Years ago, Martin Luther King gave similar advice to a photographer from Life magazine. When sheriff’s deputies were shoving children to the ground during a civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, the photographer stopped taking pictures and went to the aid of the children. King heard about the incident and reminded him: ‘The world doesn’t know this happened, because you didn’t photograph it. I’m no being cold-blooded about it, but it is so much more important for you to take a picture of us getting beaten up than for you to be another person joining in the fray.’”
Sudanese girl struggling without enough strength to continue walking while a vulture waits for her to collapse. (Kevin Carter photo)
Kevin Carter eventually committed suicide shortly after winning a Pulitzer Prize for the above photograph. Carter suffered from depression, and who could blame him?
These photos are powerful and it takes incredibly courageous, strong and talented people to provide them to the world. Hats off to all of you. Thank you for your contributions.