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 was out shooting skateboarding when I found myself on the scene of a car accident and as I had my camera I shot some photos. I called up the local paper and the editor asked me was there any blood? I was pretty shocked at that yet it dawned on me then that that’s what sells papers. No there was no blood and the shots were of the upturned car and the traumatized driver being tended to by paramedics. I deleted the images because the paper was only interested in photos sensationalizing a car accident. The driver certainly did not want them to remind of the traumatic day.
Personally I’ve always had a preference to focus my attention on that which uplifts me and others. I ask myself what am I and my fellow Beings co-creating by placing my attention on anything/photography/communication which lowers my vibration? I know this sounds all new age yet ask Yourself this. How does it make You feel to see war, poverty etc. How does it feel to see fun, play, prosperity etc. What serves the Greater whole more?
If it resonates with You to communicate war, poverty, strive, suffering by all means go out and do so. Even if You feel compelled to shoot photos with no concern for the Beings featured in the images.
I Trust that we are all Guided to do what we are here to do and share the stories that are in service of The Highest Good.
Namaste.
You can read the photographers account on what was happening as she took this shot here;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/aug/09/london-riots-photographer-dramatic
Paul.
Like James Nachtwey said:
“I have been a witness, and these pictures are
my testimony. The events I have recorded should
not be forgotten and must not be repeated”
When the London riots started over the weekend all I wanted to do was pick up my camera and start shooting. It was all happening right outside so I felt I had no excuse. It escalated quickly and people were talking about cameras being smashed and photographers been beaten. This put me off but still the anger of seeing people causing havoc in your city was enough to not worry about yourself or your camera.
However, seeing the damage after the first night my thoughts quickly turned to how I could help and not what pictures I could take. I was more concerned about the clean up that I felt it wouldn’t be right for me to take my camera. Off course I wanted to take my camera but it didn’t feel right. Something made me feel ungenuine about wanting to help if I was trying to take great photos for my blog. At the end of the day that is what I would be taking them for. Images to create more awareness of my self as a photographer from an event where peoples lives have been ruined.
Its not an easy topic and I have deep respect for the photojournalists covering countries at war. It just wasn’t right for me this weekend.
It is so important that photographers are out there capturing great photos like Amy Weston’s one above, but my favourite has to be this one from the clean up…
http://yfrog.com/kj5oewj
Peace
I stepped in to try to help stop people lighting fires during the Vancouver riot and ended up with 3 stitches and a busted camera. It might have been smarter to just stay back and take photos, but I felt like I had to try and do something to stop the rioters from doing what they were doing.
http://www.cameronbrown.ca/blog/2011/06/shame-vancouvers-2011-stanley-cup-riots/