photographed the dying every day - I wore an invisible hard hat to show
this part of life.
Because I worked in these fields I knew the many lives these photos helped,
and even may have saved to this day.
Could I have saved any of my subjects in another way,
... its not as though I have not considered this possibility, however low
the chance. There is always a choice, mine was to make the photos.
Sudden death is shocking to most of us humans, long term suffering may be
another matter. We have no control over the poor safety design/upgrade of
this type of transportation - this is what the photo shows to my eye.
Hopefully, long term, that frame will make a difference.
On Mon, Dec 10, 2012 at 3:41 PM, James Schenken <jds@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
The question here is "Was the man savable." Could anyone have saved him in the circumstances.
I couldn't tell how far the train was when the picture was taken. I couldn't tell how fast it was moving.
So, did he have 3 seconds left or 15?
I am reminded of a story of aquatic beaching one night when thousands were beached and dying. A young girl went along the beach picking them up one at a time and putting them back in the water. An observer, one of many at the beach that night, cried out "What are you doing, you can't save them".
To which she replied, "Maybe not, but I can save this one and this one ...."
Oscar Schindler couldn't save the millions who died at Nazi hands but he could save a few.
We can't at this point say the man could have lived if someone had tried. What we can say is that nobody tried and he died.
In reference to Kevin Carter, he couldn't save the thousands but he might have been able to save one. He didn't try and couldn't live with that.
James
Luke 23:24
On Dec 10, 2012, at 3:06 PM, Trevor Cunningham <trevor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> A man died. What is there to defend?
>
> On 12/10/12 10:59 PM, jeffsaxman wrote:
>> Once must decide in such moments if he is a detached observer of, or an active participant in, life.
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>> On Dec 10, 2012, at 2:51 PM, Joseph Chamberlain, D.D.S. wrote:
>>
>>> Then, let me ask all a simple question?
>>>
>>> How would you feel if the person on the tracks was your son, daughter,
>>> husband, wife, father or mother? Would that change or perspective? Would
>>> that change your answers?
>>>
>>> One of my favorite quotes that has never been more relevant as it is in the
>>> world we live in now comes from Einstein:
>>>
>>> " Our technology has finally surpassed our humanity ".
>>>
>>>
>>>> Possibly this interviewer hadn't talked to many photojournalists?
>>>>
>>>> I think most people have to learn to suppress their emotions somewhat to
>>>> be able to do that. It's a necessary part of the job. And some
>>>> problems are so big that you, on the ground there, can do literally
>>>> nothing significant to help -- except, maybe, possibly, taking pictures
>>>> that will educate people elsewhere about just how bad the problem is,
>>>> and get them to send more resources that direction.
>> Jeff Saxman
>> www.saxmanphoto.com
>> (804)644-0080
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
