On the morning of September 11, 2001 associated press photographer Richard Drew rushed onto the scene of the world trade center attacks and began snapping photos of falling bodies of those who decided to jump from the burning building. The falling man picture is very iconic and controversial. It embodies the tragic and horrific events that took place that day in America but is also obviously very hard for some people to view due to its graphic content and its evident outcome of a man’s death. Scrutinized for taking by the public, Drew is quoted saying “it’s what I do “and continues with “it’s like a carpenter he has a hammer and nails and he builds a house. I am a camera and I take pictures.
The New York Times devoted a whole inside page to the photograph. The papers executive editor Howell Raines said the picture “showed the magnitude of the situation and the loneliness.” Raines believes the picture told a powerful story and the world needed to see it. The number of people who jumped that day is estimated to be anywhere from 50 to 200 people.
Newspapers sometimes have sought to explain in a caption why they used a photograph that will likely be found offensive. Those who admire this technique say it shows transparency and accountability. I think the photo was justified to take since it was one of the most tragic events ever. The photo is very controversial, but I agree it told a story that was needed to be seen by the world. It is hard to look at the photo but, in the same sense I’m glad I’ve seen it.
Photo Journalist will argue that you need to take the picture no matter what, there is time later to decide of you want to use it or not. I do not think there was a long debate about this photo. It needed to be seen by many and is a huge party of history. The photo so disturbs people because everyone knows the result of that photo. It also takes a piece out of you emotionally to understand what state of mind that guy was in. I also don’t think the photo was taken close enough to give away the identity of the man. Graphic images are going to be released when covering a graphic story.
In Conclusion, I agree with the running of the photo 9/11 was a low-point for so many Americans resulting in death. The photo is a representation of the loneliness and hopelessness we felt as a country after the attacks. Many people may have not have known about the people who took their own lives. Photo Journalist have it tough, they need to make ethical decisions every day and no matter the decision they make, they will receive negative attitudes from someone.
Sources
Howe, Peter “Richard Drew”, The Digital Journalist
Junod, Tom “The Falling Man,”, Sept. 2003