Ann Nida
(K=45248) - Comment Date 2/4/2006
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Oh dear...I posted this question for opinions and then I found a similar thread which must have become rather heated in discussion as there is mention of posts having been removed. If I had seen that earlier thread first I probably wouldn't have even posted this as it's similar in subject matter (Re: Photographing Homeless People).
Admin - I had no intention of starting a controversial issue with this post. My concern and question are genuine and not intended to offend anyone or create any kind of a stir.
Ann
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Phillip Cohen
(K=10561) - Comment Date 2/4/2006
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Well one way to look at it is that it is part of life. It really shouldn't be swept under the rug. If a photojournalist brings it to the attention of the world then that is a good thing. Perhaps something could be done to help the situation. I would have liked to see a little more info about this child and the disease that he has that put him into this situation so that we could all become more aware of it and perhaps help in some way. The title was a little bit kurt (sp) but then again there is a language difference.
I lived and worked in Indonesia from 82 to 98 and can say that I saw sights like this and worse and it tore my heart out each time. I chose not to photograph them as these were things that I wished not to remember. But then again how can anyone forget such sights.
Perhaps this is not the proper venue for such an image, but then again, I would be willing to say there are more then a few doctors as members here and maybe it will inspire a few to be more giving of their time in organizations like Doctors Without Borders, or Orbis etc... So for that reason maybe this is an ok place to post such an image.
Phil
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Gayle's Eclectic Photos
(K=91109) - Comment Date 2/4/2006
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hi,lady....yes,it is very difficult to see an image like this because our hearts go out to the person in pain,but i do agree with Phil's comments because my "second thought" was that i hope he can take this image to a nearby hospital and ask for help on behalf of this young child...as for the other shot you mention and i saw of the young man who appears to have received a brutal beating, i know i could not have stood by watching no matter who the thugs were...yes,naive or stupid perhaps,but i would rather go out trying to save someone than just observing.....perhaps we should all leave him comments suggesting he use his vivid image to help the child...take care,sweetie.....cheerios,gayle
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Ann Nida
(K=45248) - Comment Date 2/4/2006
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Phil, I would like to think that this photographer posted this image somehow as a message to us all rather than as an attention grabbing shock factor and perhaps you are right about the language boundaries but to see other similar photos posted by him and his concern being solely for his camera while another is being beaten to death is quite disturbing... not only to see the image but to read his "about". Perhaps I should have posted the second image I saw but then I really don't try to hunt out such things or start issues. The image I posted above was the one that I saw on the recent image page so I used that as an example to pose the question.
I understand your answer and take on it. I too have lived and worked in an impoverished country (Papua New Guinea) and all I can hope is that such images are used for good inent and not to draw attention to themselves although by the sounds of things this person is after serious critiquing of the technical aspects of his images and my personal take is that these sorts of images are innapropriate to technically disect. I really don't want to encourage this person to post such images but perhaps if he's after serious critiquing of his images then he should post less controversial images for people to view which could be objectively critiqued. He did offer to post another angle of the same unfortunate child for a better critique so my point is if he's after serious help then why not post a more appropriate image. I guess my concern is he may be after the shock factor attention and using pitiful images such as this one and others to get it. Food for thought.
Thank you taking the time to read and for your reply Phil.
Regards - Ann
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Ann Nida
(K=45248) - Comment Date 2/4/2006
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Hi Gayle, Thanks for taking the time to view the other image I mentioned which further consolidates what I suggested to Phil that this person may be seeking some sort of shock factor attention by posting such images. I mean it's kinda sick to sit back and take photos of someone while they are being beaten to death then all he has to say about it is the danger his camera was in during the process but no mention of the poor victim? I guess that brings me back to my question about when does a photo cross the line from journalism to bad taste and I think the answer does lie purely with the photographer's intent. If such a photo shows some compassion and professionalism then all the more power to them for bringing such images to the forefront...such as a war or combat photographer, but when such images are merely posted for personal gain to better their craft then I believe there are more appropriate images to do that job. Again food for thought.
Thanks for dropping by Gayle. Take care.
Ann
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25317) - Comment Date 2/4/2006
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I agree with you Ann that it's sick to sit back and let bad things happen just so you can get a picture of them.
Sadly a lot of PJs do just that, some of them going as far as to orchestrate situations in which they know they'll get a nice juicy story.
If I KNEW that were the case with an image I'd likely want it deleted immediately.
I don't know the conditions under which this image was taken so I can't tell whether that's the case here.
I did set this particular image to Adult rating to prevent children from accidentally seeing it though. It's IMO too shocking for them, more so than a bare buttock or chest.
Such should be a rule for people uploading shocking images. Adult doesn't mean porn, it means anything unsuitable for children and that includes gross images like this and violence.
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Ann Nida
(K=45248) - Comment Date 2/4/2006
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Thank you Jeroen. I didn't think of that but it's probably a good idea to move it to the adult section. I guess I'd always thought of the adult section as being manly for nudes but of course what you pointed out is in fact true. There are other images such as the case in point here which aren't appropriate for children's viewing. Good call.
Regards - Ann
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Chuck Freeman
(K=13616) - Comment Date 2/7/2006
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I am not for sensationalism, but I strongly encourage such photos if you are in an area that has this sort of problems. I know that Americans are virtually unshockable, but this type of photography might move some to action for help for this poor kid and others.
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Ann Nida
(K=45248) - Comment Date 2/7/2006
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Yes Chuck I understand what you are saying but in this case (moreso with the 2nd image by the same photographer which has been discussed here - in his portfolio dead or dying person) The photographer was more concerned with the safety of his camera rather than trying to help a victim of a brutal bashing. I just get the feeling this guy was using shocking photos to recruit critiques which could have been done with somewhat milder images. A person posting such shocking photos with good intent doesn't really go into the disections of the photos to try to improve their phootgraphy but moreso to make a point and to show the world a sad story. In other words the subject matter is the hot issue but in this person's case I think the quality of the photos was the hot issue which to me didn't seem quite appropriate. I think a little more compassion shown by the photographer might have been more humane. Just thoughts and food for thought.
Thank you for your comments, thoughts and input Chuck.
Regards - Ann
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Kambiz K
(K=37420) - Comment Date 2/19/2006
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Dear ones, this a part of our life. We could NOT ignore that some people around the world are sufferring. Therefore we should not forget about them.
Infact we hould recognise about them and try to help as much as a person can do?
If always look a t the beauties, then I think we are decieving ourselves by being in a artificial air bubble!!
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