Comments on: Photographers as Aggressors http://nslog.com/2008/03/20/photographers_as_aggressors The Weblog of Erik J. Barzeski Tue, 13 May 2008 22:31:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jeff http://nslog.com/2008/03/20/photographers_as_aggressors#comment-46795 Jeff Fri, 21 Mar 2008 20:33:59 +0000 http://nslog.com/2008/03/20/photographers_as_aggressors#comment-46795 I recently watched the documentary on James Nachtway called "The War Photographer." A photographer will always be an intrusion to some. Just ask a high-profile celebrity. For others the photographer is a historian. I think the answer is found in the ethical posture of the photographer. Why are the photos being taken? What is the context? Nachtway said the following: "The worst thing is to feel that as a photographer I am benefiting from someone else's tragedy. This idea haunts me. It is something I have to reckon with every day because I know that if I ever allow genuine compassion to be overtaken by personal ambition I will have sold my soul." Photographs are neither good nor evil, they are a medium for communication and artistic expression. However, I believe caution should be used when showing private moments to the public through the use of photography. Good questions. I recently watched the documentary on James Nachtway called "The War Photographer." A photographer will always be an intrusion to some. Just ask a high-profile celebrity. For others the photographer is a historian.

I think the answer is found in the ethical posture of the photographer. Why are the photos being taken? What is the context?

Nachtway said the following: "The worst thing is to feel that as a photographer I am benefiting from someone else's tragedy. This idea haunts me. It is something I have to reckon with every day because I know that if I ever allow genuine compassion to be overtaken by personal ambition I will have sold my soul."

Photographs are neither good nor evil, they are a medium for communication and artistic expression. However, I believe caution should be used when showing private moments to the public through the use of photography.

Good questions.

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