Images of War
There have been over 4,000 American deaths in Iraq (and over 30,000 casualties). However, there have been very few photographs of wounded and dying soldiers released. This is due primarily to strict embedded journalists (many of whom are photographers) rules and regulations. Rules state that photos published without the consent of the pictured soldier are prohibited — sort of a problem was for incapacitated or dead soldiers. Furthermore, many embedded journalists rules prohibit photos of soldiers’ faces and any photos with division patches shown, thus making it even harder to publish licit photos.
Despite the rules and regulations, several renegade photographers and journalists have published photos that break the rules. Their incompliance with set rules results in their suspension from the unit they are embedded with and sometimes from all U.S. military personnel and institutions.
The New York Times has a brief slide show of the photos taken by these defiant photographers and journalists. You can view it HERE.
I think its good to see things like this, because it brings to life the reality of conflict and war. There is a large degree of separation between the conflict in Iraq and the life of the American citizen at home. Photos like these serve to bridge that gap.
Number 6, of that girl covered in blood , is pretty shocking I think.
I really like that the NYT has this censored images slide show, and I am not usually a slide show kind of guy…
David M. Manes
26 Jul 08 at 5:22 pm
What exactly is a slide show kind of guy?
jkkuwitzky
26 Jul 08 at 5:57 pm
Good question.
S.C. Denney
26 Jul 08 at 6:13 pm
There have to be slide show kind of guys/girls out there somewhere, because someone is creating all those horrible things that the rest of us occasionally get suckered into watching and pretending to like.
Maybe nobody actually enjoys them, in which case, slide shows are the biggest societal facade ever.
David M. Manes
26 Jul 08 at 8:51 pm
In that case I am a slide show kind of guy. The Slate “Today in Pictures” is an every morning requirement for me. I suggest you get on board.
jkkuwitzky
26 Jul 08 at 9:10 pm
I often view Foreign Policy’s Photo Essays. I typically enjoy them. Therefore, I must be a slide show type of guy.
I recommend the aforementioned slide show. Although it isn’t technically a slide show. You have to manually click “next” to view the next picture. Also, it isn’t arranged via macromedia flash, so maybe it isn’t a bona fide slide show.
Regardless, I typically like them.
S.C. Denney
26 Jul 08 at 9:38 pm
I delivered my first born at NNMC (National Naval Medical Center) in Bethesda,MD in 2005. I also went there for my OB visits. Each time, just walking from the parking lot to my appointment, I saw no less than 4 amputees walking through the halls. Some were still active duty, some in civilian clothes. If you desire a “reality of conflict and war,” I suggest you visit a VA in your area and personally meet people who have been injured and lost friends while serving in the military (SC there’s a VA in Northeast). You could even thank them for their service. How novel! These photos are just pawns in the political game, designed to shock and disturb. You would probably chastise anti-abortionists, if they posted pics online of aborted fetuses. Yes, they’re tragic, but what’s the purpose? Objectivity? Please. Those rules and regulations are designed to respect the families of the deceased, as well as, protect units from compromising their missions by revealing their location. The average American at home is separated from the conflict, because they choose to be. As a teenager, I spent summers volunteering in VA in my hometown. There I met veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. This opportunity gave me a personal perspective not achievable in a photograph. But I wouldn’t expect Obama supporters to bother meeting veterans when Obama himself couldn’t take the time to visit injured servicemen during his trip to Germany. Why bother when there’s no photo-op, right?
Karen L
7 Aug 08 at 9:43 pm
Good for you, Karen. Noble things you have done in your past. I know you are a caring person for our soldiers — that much I can tell from your posts.
Visiting a VA hospital is something I didn’t do, but now considering it, something I should have.
I enjoy the perspective your bring; it can be illuminating. However, don’t be too presumptuous by somehow suggesting people like me are against anti-abortionists (because, frankly, I am one).
Furthermore, I am not defending these “renegade photographers.” I understand why there are strict photographer rules and regulations. I’m simply sharing some photos that shed some reality to the conflict abroad. Also, I don’t think we’re separated from the conflict overseas so much because we “choose” to be; it’s just reality (for the vast majority of us), because we live in a peaceful and “isolated” (from conflict) country. A large ocean, a few gulfs, and a couple of continents is enough to separate anyone from certain events. One bridge to this disconnect is media and photography — the point of my post.
Lastly, your last comment isn’t all that perceptive. You’re somehow suggesting that Obama (and leftists for that matter) are somehow against the troops, because it doesn’t make a good photo-op? Come on now, Karen. It isn’t quite that simple. Statements like those are simply polemical. Politics, from all angles and from every party, is about opportunity, perception, and convenience. Obama didn’t have to visit the troops in the Middle East (which received him graciously). He really didn’t have to go overseas at all.
S.C. Denney
7 Aug 08 at 10:07 pm