I heard a revving engine. Then a screech. Then a crash. And then I saw a man get hit by a car. Just moments ago.
Actually, he wasn’t simply hit: I caught view of him milliseconds after he’d been struck by one car, while slammed momentarily between it and another car, this one parked. They were smashed–bumper to bumper–and as the two cars recoiled off one another, he crumpled to the ground.
I was the first on the scene along with Mikal and Kate from the studio. Mikal was on the line with 911 in seconds. The stricken man writhed on the ground grabbing his thigh, pelvis, shin. Groaning. A young driver emerged from the car, in shock, pale-faced, horrified. Hyperventilating.
The driver was the man’s 15 year old daughter.
He’d been helping her learn to parallel park. He’d gotten out of the car to direct her. She mistook the gas from the brake. And it went badly.
It was only after getting the man stable on his back, his head on a pillow with help on the way, that I was able to take a moment to think along a non-mission-critical path. I had my camera with me, as I always do. But I wasn’t about to take a photo. I couldn’t fathom it. For another brief moment, I felt dirty for even thinking about it. But some people can and some people do take photos in times like this. During war, during trama, during accidents, and sometimes these images are deeply important. Other times it’s cold and shallow to shoot. And a horrible invasion of privacy.
So how do we know when not to shoot?
— —
—
[For the record, I wrote this yesterday intending to publish it immediately. Decided I needed to let it sit for a bit. This morning with some clarity, decided I’d love to hear from some others.]
Get my every move: Follow Chase Jarvis on Twitter
Get exclusive content: Become a Fan on Facebook
I do agree with all of the ideas you have presented in your post. They’re really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. Could you please extend them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
Interesting debate. I agree with the phrase if you can help, do so, adding that if you’re not sure what to do, don’t help, chances are you make thing even worse. Just make the necessary call and try to create a perimeter so the victim(s) are safe.
Then the question to shoot or not to shoot. I’m not a (photo)journalist. If it’s to shoot an image or two, just for the heck of it, don’t because then your leitmotiv is probably the kick you get from somebody’s suffering.
If I could tell a story, then I would probably shoot multiple images. For example a close-up of a guy throwing a stone is useless. It doesn’t tell a story, the guy could be shot in Paris, in Palestine or in London. It’s just an image and had no value at all. You need to tell a story.
Would I shoot or not? It depends. Can I relate to the subject? Am I in danger while shooting these images? Does the event have any relevance? Could it help make things better? All sorts of question would pop up in my mind.
Coming to the aid of a fellow man trumps everything.