Debate Over Fabienne Cherisma Photos Rekindled After Award Given

[d7e7r7]

http://www.petapixel.com/2011/03/29/debate-over-fabienne-cherisma-photo-rekindled-after-award-given/

During the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a number of images that became widely discussed were of 15-year-old Fabienne Cherisma, who was shot and killed by police after looting two plastic chairs and three framed pictures. One of these photographs (shown above), captured by photographer Paul Hansen, was recently chosen as the best International News Image at the Swedish Picture of the Year Awards. There was soon a good deal of discussion in the Swedish media over the ethics of such an image.

At the center of the controversy is an image made by photographer Nathan Weber, showing a group of photographers crowded around the body:

This behind-the-scenes look depicting photojournalists crowded around the scene of a tragic incident (continuing even after the family arrived and were grieving) shows what commonly needs to take place for the powerful images you see on the front page of newspapers and magazines.

What is your opinion on the ethics of this photograph? Should Hansen’s photograph have been selected for the award?

(via Prison Photography)

What are your guy's views on this image/situation?

 

[Fudzy]

Well it's sad to see such a paparazzi line up of photographers at the scene, I doubt his photo was any better or worse than any of the others. Saying that though, the wide angle lens does make the child look smaller than in the second picture.

I think any one of them could have won though, it really came down to who got their picture out first and to what press agency.

 

[hilton]

What's the difference between those photographers and war correspondents? Photographers need to be there to capture history. Period.

 

[Nerfherder]

If no one tells the story then we never know it happened.

 

[Fudzy]

Well there's written history too though as they say, a picture tells a thousand words

I don't think the question here is whether or not the photo should have been taken, it's whether or not the chap deserves a prize for it.

 

[hilton]

I don't think the question here is whether or not the photo should have been taken, it's whether or not the chap deserves a prize for it.

Well in that case, no. Can't say it's a great photograph at all. Pretty boring actually, apart from the dead body of course.

Think of the poor girl's family though, dreadful for them.

 

[RanzB]

Taking a photograph like that is completely justified. If you don't document it, it's like it never happened, which means there's no onus on authorities to clamp down on those responsible.

It's sad that those photogs seem so blase` about it, but I think that in order to keep yourself sane, you have to separate yourself from the subject at hand sometimes.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Weather or not taking the photo is justified, I hope for the photographer's sake he doesn't end up like Kevin Carter.

 

[ponder]

Well I'm waiting to see The Bang Bang Club movie. No way I want their job.

 

[stix]

I am starting to see this more and more, images of the people capturing the news and at times it almost seem farcical, but at the same time an image like this on a basic human level is pretty hectic. The process that gets it to us is probably a bit insensitive but the casual attitude we have to this kind of image is a little wtf.

The photographer in me says you shoot what you see.

 

[koffiejunkie]

It's worth watching James Nachtway's movie War Photographer. He does a lovely job of explaining the considerations when doing this kind of work.

 

[ponder]

It's worth watching James Nachtway's movie War Photographer. He does a lovely job of explaining the considerations when doing this kind of work.

Good docu movie that.