After watching Dying to Tell a Story, it has definitely broadened my eyes to more of what happens. In America, people live without even realizing that there is more than where we live. I have definitely been guilty of that. We've all been scolded by adults once or twice when we waste resources or take things for granted and told that children in other countries would take our places in a heartbeat. And when you see this movie, it captures you. It, at least, captured me. The tragedies that occur on a daily basis to these people is a shocking sight to see. And then there are journalists who risk their lives and go out to these dangerous places, caught in the middle of dangerous situations just to expose what really happens.
Of course, this is like a vicious cycle. When there are places of conflict, there will be photojournalists. There must be killings everyday, and these people risk their lives, with little credit due to their bravery. Their attempts to expose the cruelty and impoverished lands to us ends up in a dead end. Death. They know it's imperative for us to know what's happening. Why else would anyone take the risk? I think I remember a photojournalist once saying how it'd be lucky for any photojournalist to come back alive. And it truly is.
A photojournalist displays a service and a very important one at that. Not only is what they take from these countries given to us, America, as a country but can be seen by the entire world. When not only America but also many other countries who can help do many good deeds for these war-stricken lands. They're definitely crazy for risking their lives, but in a praise-worthy sense. They're doing a service to us all and it needs to be appreciated.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Cowboy Photographers
Photographers who dare venture into combat zones and taking pictures are people who deserve the utmost respect. Some might find them crazy for going into these life-threatening places, but they do it for a good cause. They endeavor to inform the world of the horrible actions that occur and show us what we don't realize is happening right now. Cowboy photographers are those who get thrills and chills from being in dangerous war zones and getting shots of adrenaline running through their veins. Their motives are different from other photographers who journey into these high-risk areas.
Journalists display courage when they arrive in warring countries. They face life-threatening situations and their actions are all for the greater good. They try to make it known the tragedies that happen in these countries filled with hate and war. There is a difference between these photographers and cowboy photographers. The bravery presented by cowboy photographers are certainly valiant, but it is not on the same level as the courage displayed by other photojournalists. The journalists interviewed in Dying to Tell the Story emitted images quite opposite of the "cowboy photographer." Photojournalists developed rules from their own experiences, one of the more serious being, "Your life is more important than any photo." Who else would show the world the pictures you've taken and the horrible things you've seen.
In the movie, we saw the BBC war correspondent Martin Bell and his story of how he refused to wear a protective jacket while interviewing civilians. Sure, this action could have possibly been fatal, but how else would he have gotten the interviews? How does it look to the helpless civilians, almost like flopping fish out of water while he's nicely protected and toasty in the jacket? His choice to do this can definitely can be seen as foolhardy and could have costed him his life, but he had to do so or there was no story to tell at all. It seems sort of hypocritical, but really, he didn't do it for the rush or the thrills and chills. He simply did it to help get his point across. And that makes all the difference when drawing the line between true courage shown by photojournalists and the foolhardy bravery of cowboy photographers.
Journalists display courage when they arrive in warring countries. They face life-threatening situations and their actions are all for the greater good. They try to make it known the tragedies that happen in these countries filled with hate and war. There is a difference between these photographers and cowboy photographers. The bravery presented by cowboy photographers are certainly valiant, but it is not on the same level as the courage displayed by other photojournalists. The journalists interviewed in Dying to Tell the Story emitted images quite opposite of the "cowboy photographer." Photojournalists developed rules from their own experiences, one of the more serious being, "Your life is more important than any photo." Who else would show the world the pictures you've taken and the horrible things you've seen.
In the movie, we saw the BBC war correspondent Martin Bell and his story of how he refused to wear a protective jacket while interviewing civilians. Sure, this action could have possibly been fatal, but how else would he have gotten the interviews? How does it look to the helpless civilians, almost like flopping fish out of water while he's nicely protected and toasty in the jacket? His choice to do this can definitely can be seen as foolhardy and could have costed him his life, but he had to do so or there was no story to tell at all. It seems sort of hypocritical, but really, he didn't do it for the rush or the thrills and chills. He simply did it to help get his point across. And that makes all the difference when drawing the line between true courage shown by photojournalists and the foolhardy bravery of cowboy photographers.
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