by Amy Weston/Wenn.com via NY Mag
To borrow a line from The Clash, “London’s burning”. And the photographs of the mayhem are stunning. The above shot here is by Amy Weston/WENN.com, as seen in NY Mag. (That image and a bunch more images from NY Mag here).
I’ve been been near riots of this magnitude on two occasions – Paris in 2005-6 and Seattle WTO riots – neither of which I photographed. I’ve also seen a guy get hit by a car and had my camera at the ready but did not shoot. And plenty of other things that I’ve not wanted to photograph. As a pure photographer, only-career-I’ve-ever-had guy, I’m not sure what’s in me that doesn’t pull me to want to shoot so many of these photos, even when I’ve had the chance (like this post). I’m deeply moved by such images -ala London riots, or trama, or the war in Afghanistan. Often times these images are so important to our culture, but at other times it’s shallow and cold to shoot them. I’m especially conflicted with the images coming out of London.
How about you… When do we shoot? When do we help or decide not to spread the horror?
UPDATE: Interview with the photographer (Amy Weston) that captured the stunning photograph in the earlier post below in an article over here at my Google+ page …offers some insights into what she was thinking and plays well with the ongoing discussion here on the blog and over at my Google+ page. (Add me to a circle if you’re G+ing so I can meet you too).
I found a dead body once and after the police arrived etc I started to phone a photographer friend to let him know but stopped shirt once I remembered I was a photographer/photojournalist.
I took some pictures while the situation was being assessed, the guy was young enough lying face down in a river. It turned out it was death by misadventure. In hindsight I probably should have taken them but photographers aren’t like writers- we work with the now.
Shouldn’t* have taken them
“sometimes you should just enjoy the sunset” is what you once told me. Your point was about being in the moment. I think the same rule applies to any intense situation like a riot. As soon as you start shooting, you are separating yourself from the situation. Sometimes shooting can heighten a moment but sometimes you end up taking away an uninhibited, natural, feeling that only makes us human.
life isn’t all bubblegum … shoot the good, the bad & the ugly!
looks like Gina and I were typing the same thought at the same time 🙂
Like Thomas..I am also a forensic photographer…on the civil end. The images taken during these events are not just a way of telling the story to those who were not there…but many times are evidence that can be useful in both the criminal and civil precedings that will no doubt come after the riots have subsided. Look back to the Los Angeles riots. How many convictions were made due to the news coverage on the ground? The PJ on the front lines does not return fire when the unit he is embeded with comes under fire…nor should the PJ in London pick up a fire hose to assist when the flames are out of control…he should document.