Thursday 21 April 2011

If you arm yourself only with a camera...


Tim Hetherington. Image courtesy of Frontline Club.

...you are most likely going to lose out in a war zone. Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros paid the ultimate price yesterday when they were hit by a targeted RPG/grenade/mortar attack in Libya.

I did not know either of them yet I have cried over their passing. The more I look at the interviews and images from these two men, the more I realise that this loss goes beyond merely two more dead in a far away war. I feel inadequate calling myself a photojournalist when I look at their work.

I've watched Tim's 1.5h appearance at the Frontline Club in full and if you were ever in doubt that photojournalists are mere button pressing monkeys, please take some time out and watch this clip from 2009. Few people are as well informed and eloquent as him. This is an extremely sad day for their families, a sad day for (some) of the people they documented and a big loss for photojournalism.

I've got nothing but respect for what you did with your lives. Rest in peace Tim and Chris.

2 comments:

Marlee said...

Brilliantly said, I absolutely agree with you. They deserve the utmost respect and will be greatly missed.

www.marleeindebt.blogspot.com

Susie Rosso Wolf said...

Love your work. Seriously.

Susie Rosso Wolf
newprairiewoman.blogspot.com