UPDATE // 25 Feb 2010: News concerning the woman pulled from the burning apartment. I received word that she survived and will fully recover. She suffered a few burns.
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I think I’m to a point now when I can physically photograph anything… wrecks, fires, whatever… the adrenaline still flows but I can still think at 100%. Its all about slowing down your thinking and making conscious decisions.
Just keep in mind, though, with stuff like this there are real people involved: real daughters of mothers, or real sons and brothers.
There are more photos – better, closer photos – but sometimes you have to weigh the options. Its part of just about every professional society’s code of ethics. But basically, keep in mind your own code of ethics, too. Decide NOW what you will and will not submit, whether you photograph it or not. Or, even what you will or will not photograph. And make it a deliberate decision: in a case like this, I focus on the incident – it is only base, prurient interest to show the woman actually being pulled from the smoking apartment.
Above all, do no harm.
CUT: “As the paramedics arrive, firemen tend to the woman pulled from Apt.14 of the Grand Street Apartments at 901 E. Moore St. on Feb.22, 2010 as smoke continues to billow out of the front door from an apparent structure fire.”
Think it through…
-Noah D.
