Photo Credit: REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
As the iconic images of hurricane Sandy started pouring in I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt. Despite my relocation back west, New York will always feel like home to me. Because of the strong connection, I cannot help but wish that I was there, there to experience the storm, to see the invincible city in such a chaotic state, but most of all to document. I know this is naive outsider perspective and that being part of the destruction would be traumatic. But, I suppose that’s what makes me a photographer, I would rather feel, experience, live and therefore document the trauma then see it through others eyes.
Have you ever had a connection or desire to document something potentially traumatic?
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Frank Franklin II
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Charles Sykes
Photo Credit: James Keivom/New York Daily News
Photo Credit: Credit: Timothy A. Clary/ AFP/ Getty Images
Photo Credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Photo Credit: Mehdi Taamallah / AFP / Getty Images
Photo Credit: Mike Stobe, Getty Images / 2012 Getty Images
Photo Credit: Viviane Moos / Corbis
Photo Credit: Allison Joyce / Getty Images
Human misery due to nature’s destruction is captured in the form of photographs by photographers in a realistic manner. The best picture is the very first click and the photographs of the floating taxis
I felt the same way about Haiti. LA seems like the most boring place on Earth right now.
I couldn’t agree more!
I have been debating about how soon I can get on the Megabus and head down to the city, camera in hand. (And a box of donations, too.) This past weekend was obviously out of the question, but this or next might find me wandering Manhattan and Queens, checking in on friends and documenting what I can.
You’re not alone, Catherine, not in the least.
It’s great to hear there are other people who feel the same way. I appreciate your comment!
Lauren, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I was actually nervous about writing this post and your comments really mean a lot to me.
I actually had the same feeling today when I had a twinge of jealousy that I wasn’t there to photograph it as well. So, the answer to your question is that what you are feeling I am also feeling and I think that other photographers are having the same thoughts while looking at the same images we are.