The Bang Bang Club
11.2.06
I read this book a while ago. It is definately one of the reasons that i took photography so seriously. However naive and idealistic this book made me feel, it still led me in to the area of journalism that I am in now. The book is about four photographs working in South africa in the time of Apartheid. Before power was to change hands in South africa many people expected civil war. Some claim that civil war never happened but these four men illustrated to the world that civil war was close.
Here is one of the pictures that features in the book:
An ANC supporter hacks at an alleged Inkatha Freedom Party supporter who was blamed for taking part in the Boipatong massacre of 1992. Photo by Joao Silva/PictureNET
This is a photograph taken by Joao Silva, a member of the Bang Bang Club.
It is photographs and situations such as this that lead me to question journalism and photojournalism. When does a journalist stop taking photographs and interject. I understand that Silva had no concievable chance of stopping this from happening, but in similar situations, when does one get involved? Just a question, rhetorical mostly, but a thought provoking one I hope.
Here is one of the pictures that features in the book:
An ANC supporter hacks at an alleged Inkatha Freedom Party supporter who was blamed for taking part in the Boipatong massacre of 1992. Photo by Joao Silva/PictureNETIt is photographs and situations such as this that lead me to question journalism and photojournalism. When does a journalist stop taking photographs and interject. I understand that Silva had no concievable chance of stopping this from happening, but in similar situations, when does one get involved? Just a question, rhetorical mostly, but a thought provoking one I hope.
Labels: Photography
5
this is insane....journalism???
Anonymous, 12:48 AM
um, yes it is journalism, by A group of South African Journalists in Apartheid, The Bang Bang Club. Go and read the book, its an eye opening experience!!
thanks for your comment!!
thanks for your comment!!
journalism requires getting the story, or photo in this case. Please explain how one person is suppose to intervene in a situation like this. Taking a photo takes care of the bigger issue and transports an important message across the world.
That is true, taking a photo can help the greater good... yet when you are there and you see this sort of atrocity, its easier said than done. If any journalist poses humanity of any sort then morals play a huge role, to let someone perish, even if intervention could put you in harms way is still difficult to come to terms with.
i think the point of interjection by a photojournalist is an individual choice governed by the sensitivity of the issue and the sensibility of the person.
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