Honoring Those Who Bear Witness

A photojournalist I talked to a few months ago said she regards herself as a witness rather than as an artist.  Photojournalists are, by the nature of their calling, risk takers.  There will always be those who prefer to conceal the truth by intimidation and violence.  Photographers are frequently the targets. As witness bearers, photojournalists pull back the covers and illuminate the darkness.  And their images become part of the narrative that brings truth to deception.

The PhotoShelter Blog recently posted an article titled, 14 Most Dangerous Locations for Photojournalists. Clicking on this link will honor those who risk safety to bear witness.

Jay Maisel Bears Witness

To record the impact of an event, turn the camera to the faces that are reacting to it. This is what photographer Jay Maisel did two weeks after the towers fell.

He went to Ground Zero to bear witness.

Click here for some of Jay Maisel's words and images.

Bearing Witness and the Power of Images

Photographs can capture history.  They can also move it.  Some even alter it. If there is any doubt about the capacity of images to bear witness, hold account, and cry for justice, watch this video of less than seven minutes in length.