edmond_terakopian Posted August 18, 2012 Share #1 Posted August 18, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Greetings All, I've just written a post about Nick Ut and his iconic Leica image, commonly called the Napalm Girl: Nick Ut’s Iconic Napalm Girl Photo | Photo This & That Hope you find it interesting. Naturally feel free to send the link to anyone who enjoys this level of photography. Cheers, Edmond Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 18, 2012 Posted August 18, 2012 Hi edmond_terakopian, Take a look here Vietnam War's Iconic Image. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bpalme Posted August 18, 2012 Share #2 Posted August 18, 2012 Powerful image.. thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
01af Posted August 18, 2012 Share #3 Posted August 18, 2012 I've just written a post about Nick Ut and his iconic Leica image, commonly called the Napalm Girl [...] Hope you find it interesting. Nick Ut's Napalm Girl is one of the world's most iconic photographs—and rightly so. So much has been written about it ... so I don't feel your blog post adds anything significantly new. Sorry. One thing that I learned about this picture only recently, which I feel is extremely interesting from a photographer's point of view, is David Burnett's story that he has to tell about that day, June 8th, 1972. Another interesting tidbit is the picture of a girl crying that Nick Ut, of all photographers on this planet, took on June 8th, 2007—i. e. 35 years later, to the day, after he took Napalm Girl. This makes me shiver, on several levels. ... to anyone who enjoys this level of photography. I definitely don't want to belittle Nick Ut's Napalm Girl ... but I feel it's unfair to celebrate this single picture as the only culmination of Vietnam war photography. It might be the one picture that moved a lot in people's minds at that time. But then, another picture that describes the horrors of war in an entirely different way, but as empathically, would be this one by Henri Huet, for example. And while talking about this topic as a 'level of photography' then don't miss these collections of Vietnam war photographs where each single one is, more or less, as powerful and disturbing as Napalm Girl: Photographer Collection: Horst Faas in Vietnam – - PlogPlog Photo Blog (don't miss the comments at the bottom) HISTORY IN PICTURES: RARE, UNSEEN PICTURES: BE THERE: Stunning Pictures From The Vietnam War More picture galleries will show up after just a few seconds of Google search. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted August 18, 2012 Share #4 Posted August 18, 2012 ...I definitely don't want to belittle Nick Ut's Napalm Girl ... but I feel it's unfair to celebrate this single picture as the only culmination of Vietnam war photography. ... Quite. Edmond, bear in mind: Don McCullin Larry Burrows Tim Page Philip Jones Griffiths ...to name only those whose books are in my library. Isolating a single shot - even one as impactful as this one - ignores at best the body of work of so many other photographers, IMO. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 18, 2012 Share #5 Posted August 18, 2012 One thing that I learned about this picture only recently, which I feel is extremely interesting from a photographer's point of view, is David Burnett's story that he has to tell about that day, June 8th, 1972. Reminds me of this fascinating account of another famous photo. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted August 18, 2012 Share #6 Posted August 18, 2012 Great photo and great follow-up story. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyedward Posted August 18, 2012 Share #7 Posted August 18, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) A copy af the Napalm Girl photograph should be placed in every room of The White House as a reminder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmond_terakopian Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share #8 Posted August 18, 2012 Hi Folks, Not sure where anyone got the idea that I thought this was the only powerful image from Vietnam; there are dozens of extremely powerful images, from various photographers, some who have been mentioned and others who have not. My comment on this level of photography refers to strong photojournalism. I do feel that Nick's picture is the most powerful image from the war and one of the most powerful images ever made though. As far as the story, the 'hook' of the story is the anniversary and Nick visiting the AP library to see his negatives again for the 3rd time ever in the last 40 years. As far as I know, the pictures of Nick and his negative have only really been shared amongst friends. Regardless, hopefully some will like the post and reading about the image and the story. Others who know the story, hope you didn't waste too much time. Edmond Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted August 18, 2012 Share #9 Posted August 18, 2012 I enjoyed your blog post Edmond, thanks for the link. As a moderate collector of the Vietnam photographer books I'd also chip in and say I don't think this is the most defining iconic image (as if there could be only one) as a photograph. Why? Well because the whole impact comes via the caption, the viewer understanding what has happened is only revealed in the words. So it is really the Vietnam war's most iconic statement, but as a photograph it needs a leg up. There are many more photographs of course, equally as powerful, where the context is apparent in the image alone, they hardly need a caption at all if you had been reading your Washington Post every day. You can read the photographs to know who the good guys are, and the bad guys, and the futility that came to be the final photographic message of the war. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted August 18, 2012 Share #10 Posted August 18, 2012 Although taken during that same conflict Don McCullin with his shell shocked soldier to me transcends time and place and becomes a universal icon of the meaning of armed resolution of human differences. http://corkap.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/shell_shked_sml1.jpg This in no way belittles the work by Nick Ut nor the other photographers mentioned and it is good to be reminded, by a hook if necessary, that these images exist. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmond_terakopian Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted August 18, 2012 I think Nick's picture is perhaps more subtle; the physical injuries may not be visible and the caption certainly adds to the story. However it is pretty obvious from the shot that these poor children are in distress. There is heavy smoke in the background. There are soldiers. There is fear. There certainly have been extremely strong images from that conflict. It was also probably the last conflict where photojournalists could operate freely. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlet Posted August 18, 2012 Share #12 Posted August 18, 2012 A copy af the Napalm Girl photograph should be placed in every room of The White House as a reminder Why? And I believe "iconic" is both misused and over-used these days. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmond_terakopian Posted August 18, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted August 18, 2012 Why? And I believe "iconic" is both misused and over-used these days. I fully agree that the word iconic is misused and overused. Do you not think this is an iconic image?! If not, I would very much love to see an image which you consider iconic. I'm genuinely interested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdsheepdog Posted August 18, 2012 Share #14 Posted August 18, 2012 Why? And I believe "iconic" is both misused and over-used these days. Yes, the word is overused and misused, but that does not mean that it is never used correctly. This photograph is, rightly or wrongly, an icon of the conflict in Vietnam. Above all, it is a brutal reminder of how modern war targets the non combatant. "Hang it in every room in the white house," which is of course not going to happen, is a statement of recognition that conflict should have minimal impact on the civilian population. A difficult to achieve ideal, and one that seems to be ignored as often as it is not. However, at least in Afghanistan it is being recognised, and civilian deaths are at least being reported, probably not in all cases, and the consequent outrage is having an effect. Imperceptible at first, but it is starting, especially by comparison to Vietnam, and this photograph is one of the seminal points in that path. To me that legitimises its status as iconic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpalme Posted August 19, 2012 Share #15 Posted August 19, 2012 It's a nice article.. I'm not sure why the thread has to veer off into negative comments. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
batmobile Posted August 19, 2012 Share #16 Posted August 19, 2012 Thank you Edmond for posting this. I am very familiar with the image, but have not read very much about much it. Most of what I have read has been about the cropped composition, ethical debates and the impact of the image. I cannot understand 01af's somewhat rude comment about you 'not adding anything significantly new. Sorry'. Perhaps he knows more than everyone else, but for me you did add something new and I am sure that is the case for others too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted August 19, 2012 Share #17 Posted August 19, 2012 There certainly have been extremely strong images from that conflict. It was also probably the last conflict where photojournalists could operate freely. firstly I just wanted to say- when I read the title of your post I though 'Oh No- not agian'. I have seen so many insensitive and absurd commentaries by photographers about that famous photo it can be stomach churning. But your little article was not like that and was done with sensitivity and intelligence- it was an interesting commentary on the photo and photographer. As to the statement that Vietnam was the last conflict where PJ's could act freely- I strongly disagree. Have a look at the thousands of videos and stills emerging from Syria every day. Photojournalism is alive and well despite the best efforts of those who seek to hide the truth from the public. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted August 19, 2012 Share #18 Posted August 19, 2012 I was also unaware what happened to that 'little girl' so an interesting read Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmond_terakopian Posted August 19, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted August 19, 2012 firstly I just wanted to say- when I read the title of your post I though 'Oh No- not agian'. I have seen so many insensitive and absurd commentaries by photographers about that famous photo it can be stomach churning. But your little article was not like that and was done with sensitivity and intelligence- it was an interesting commentary on the photo and photographer. As to the statement that Vietnam was the last conflict where PJ's could act freely- I strongly disagree. Have a look at the thousands of videos and stills emerging from Syria every day. Photojournalism is alive and well despite the best efforts of those who seek to hide the truth from the public. Firstly, many thanks for the 'back on track' comments; much appreciated. I have no idea why some people act rudely on the internet; I'm sure face to face the same conversations wouldn't be had! Regardless, it's great to talk about photographs. I think that this image is definitely iconic. An image which shows the true extent of our inhumanity, and in the case of Nick and Kim, our humanity as well. Jaques, actually, you're right in what you say about Syria. In fact, it was also the case in Libya (where sadly I lost two friends and colleagues) and Egypt. I should have worded it "major conflict". By that I mean involving the western super powers. This side of my comment is about getting accreditation to be allowed to go to the front lines. In the first Gulf war, photographers were banned from everywhere and we could only watch CNN or see the video footage supplied by the military. The other side of my comment refers to the fact that on a large scale, starting with the Balkan conflict, journalists of all types (mainly photographers and TV cameramen) became active targets for all sides. Although there were deaths of colleagues in Vietnam, it was because of the nature of war, and not because they were actively targeted. Edmond Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted August 19, 2012 Share #20 Posted August 19, 2012 Firstly, many thanks for the 'back on track' comments; much appreciated. I have no idea why some people act rudely on the internet; I'm sure face to face the same conversations wouldn't be had!Edmond See my post #55, page 3 under the tape LCD's over thread. I am referring mostly to the sarcastic post used in the newbees thread/question about 21/1/4 or 21/3.4 and what I thought would be helpful images-- OOC JPEGS. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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