Nachtwey's detailed photographs depicting suffering, pain, and death speak to his enormous amount of courage and bravery in telling the true nature of war; serving as a model for any aspiring photographer's today.
A great photojournalist Robert Capa said "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." Nachtwey's pictures are good enough because he does whatever it takes to get close enough to the scenes, even if he is risking his own personal survival. What is more inspiring is his ability to demonstrate respect and understanding for those grieving. He believes there is an unspoken agreement with his subjects and environment; by capturing the events in great detail, he is able to capture the attention of people all throughout the world.
One of the most compelling themes of the documentary is the degree to which a covering journalist should become involved in the events, people, and environment that he or she covers. Nachtwey's ability to overcome language barriers and find a bond with his subjects brings up a current issue facing the journalism industry today. Objectivity is stressed as an imperative action that all journalists must take, hoping to remove any biases or opinions from the story. Nachtwey arguably was not objective, however this documentary is an example of why objectivity comes in various forms. He is able to remain calm and highlight the events as they would unfold, and was able to show the true nature of war and what it's like to be a war time photographer.
Some of the images shown through the eyes of Nachtwey are truly moving, and really opened my eyes to wartime photography. Some of the images of riots and poverty in Jakarta Indonesia, or images of abandoned and starved children allow the viewers to understand the life of a war photographer. Throughout the footage of Nachtwey covering in various parts of the world, he appears unmoved by the horrific scenes, almost lacking human emotions and seeming to be a very cold person. By including personal interviews however, he is able to explain the reasons for his behavior, and instead shows how touched and compassionate he is.
Nachtewy's photos are evidence to the world of the enormous potential of a powerful picture. When done correctly, this still portrait can tell a story in a way no other medium can deliver. I am constantly reminded of the age old saying, 'pictures speak a thousand words,' and after watching this documentary I have seen how true that statement is. With the snap of a shot, journalists can educate the public and call attention to societal issues, conflicts, and tragedies occurring in our planet's most ignored regions.
I have gained enormous respect for war photographers after watching this documentary. All to often people are reminded about how taxing a doctor or lawyers' profession is on their lives; however a war photographer must face the real, untamed, brutal and often deadly environments and the sorrows and afflictions of innocent and helpless victims. It can be a saddening and depressing career for any human being, however, I believe this documentary showed me how rewarding war photography can be if done correctly.
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