How far is too far?

Chapter 3 discusses judgement calls and different situations in which photo-journalists had to judge whether or not to publish certain pictures or to even make a photo opportunity out of a situation. With any kind of media editors and higher ups are looking for news that sells. News that sells most often involves death, scandal, and uncomfortable situations. While the photographer or journalist may be doing their job in taking pictures for these sorts of stories they also have to take into account what kind of harm they could be causing for publishing this type of material. One of the examples used was a photographer who was taking pictures after a 17-year-old boy drowned. There were many pictures of the boy’s body and attempts to revive him. There were also pictures of the boy’s grieving family. By printing pictures of the boy the photographer could be causing possible harm and emotional distress to his family. Instead of focusing on the boy the photographer chose to use pictures of the boy’s grieving family. In situations that could cause a person distress or embarrassment I think it would be difficult to decide on saving the subject of the pictures or selling more stories. If I were the photographer I think I would put myself in the position of the subject of the picture. Would I want someone to publish pictures of me in my moments of raw emotion? While tradegy and scandal sell it is important to have respect for other human beings. In another example a photographer took pictures of a couple making out on a dock. The couple had no idea or at least no concern about being watched in their private moment. The photographer snapped the picture and moved on. Later in the story that photographer uses the photo in an exhibit. A friend of the couple saw the photo and relayed to the photographer that the couple was embarassed about their candid moment being displayed. I think this situation is not as serious as the drowning death, but is still something to be considered. If you would be embarassed or hurt by certain pictures or events then chances are that another person would be as well. If a photographer feels any hestiancy to use photo I think the best policy would be to talk to the subjects of the photos to ensure that the photo opportunity will not cause them any permanent damge. Then again sometimes it is necessary for the photo-journalist to work under pressure and do things that others might not like. At the end of the day it is up to the photographer to decide how well they will sleep at night with the work they have done. It comes down to whether their job or their ethics are more important and of course the type of situation they are photographing.