Conflict Photography.

[ABERS]

Well worth a look for all you budding war photographers.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18030102


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/629/629/6915318.stm

I can vividly remember the bayoneting picture appearing in the papers way back and the coldblooded horror of it.

At a recent Arena seminar, the Magnum photographer Ian Berry referred to this incident when asked if there was any situation that was 'off limits' as far as he was concerned. He said everyone there knew what was about to happen, that the prisoners were going to be killed, and he and some others agreed this was beyond the pale and walked away. He said the chap that took the pictures at the time won a Pulitzer prize. It was a question of how bad you wanted a Pulitzer Prize!

[Graham]

 I also remember the arguments surrounding the bayoneting pictures. Had all of the photographers turned their backs, would the killings have taken place, who knows.
 The whole scene does appear to have been set up for the benefit of onlookers, be they local or the world at large via the press.

[Oldboy]

This is the war image I always remember: http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/gallery_lg.php?s=3&gallery=eddie_adams

The question is, would I take the photo? I don't know, as it would depend on the circumstances at the time.

[Graham]

This is the war image I always remember: http://www.cah.utexas.edu/db/dmr/gallery_lg.php?s=3&gallery=eddie_adams

The question is, would I take the photo? I don't know, as it would depend on the circumstances at the time.

  Remember that one as well Oldboy. The full sequence of shots, from the chap being caught, to him lying in a pool of blood, was reproduced in one of the Press Photograph of the Year books. This is the pic which is most often reproduced, presumably because it shows the horror of what is about to happen.
 Would these pictures be in the papers today?

[Oldboy]

This is the pic which is most often reproduced, presumably because it shows the horror of what is about to happen.

If you look close you will see the gun has been fired and the bullet is exiting the far side of his head. It shows the split second of death. My guess is the photographer wouldn't know what he captured until the photo was developed.

 Would these pictures be in the papers today?

Yes, as shock value sells newspapers. A lot of the images from the Vietnam war wouldn't be remembered today except for Life magazine, which published them in glorious colour. Magazines tend to be kept for a month or more newspapers, on the other hand, tend to be ditched daily.

[Jonathan]

Can't remember who it was....maybe Don Mcullen...said the most chilling thing he witnessed is when an officer asked whether prisoners should be executed immediately or wait until the morning.  "When will the light be better for the pictures?"

Yes.  If I was there I'd do the job.  But it's pretty unlikely I'd be there.

[nickt]

There's some thought provoking images there. I've mentioned this photographer before:-
http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/
Nick

[Hinfrance]

THESE

[Oldboy]

THESE

Thanks for posting.

[ABERS]

Thanks for that Howard

[Hinfrance]

I found some of these really gut wrenching. I'm sure there are loads more in the same vein. 

[ABERS]

Of the 63 images there are only 8 in colour and whilst those 8 have the same content, i.e. conflict and desperation, they have less impact, for me anyway.

The Vietnam war illustrates that even the most powerful nation on earth with its attendant overwhelming fire power and technological know-how of the time, could not overcome an enemy that was driven, and implacably determined. Is Afghanistan a repeat performance?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but do these pictures just illustrate the sacrifices the G.I.'s were asked to make or just illustrate the futility and horror of it all?

[jinky]

Yes an amazing set and like Abers I find the colour less gritty and real than the b&w images. I know I`d never be shooting anywhere near a conflict so would never have the dilemna of what to take / not take - thank God!

[Reinardina]

Would people have been aware, of the scale and severity of the things that took place, if it wasn't for these images?
Would stories not have been dismissed as exaggerated?

[Oldboy]

The American military made a mistake during the Vietnam war, allowing the press complete freedom for reporting. Most of the senior officers served their time in the second world war, where cameras, both film and television, were heavy, helicopters were few and it was difficult for reporters to get where the action was. This all changed in Vietnam where helicopters were the backbone of transport. This allowed reporters to hitch a ride to the lastest battle whilst it was happing. This meant film and television pictures could be flown back ready for broadcasting in the evening news. In some cases the public saw the results of battles before the commanders who were running the war. The graphic images from the front line were the reason why America's public turned against the war to such an extent, even today not many accept the Vietnam vets as they would rather forget about the war completely.