Reading the Pictures: Big Media Sends Three Top War Photographers to Afghanistan Only to Bring Back

[unhappycamper]

Reading the Pictures: Big Media Sends Three Top War Photographers to Afghanistan Only to Bring Back the Near-Same Medevac Shots
Michael Shaw
Publisher of the visual politics and photojournalism site, BagNewsNotes
Posted: January 18, 2011 02:43 PM

What really dismays me -- the Afghan war crying out for context as far as big media is concerned -- is how three major organizations could send out three of the best photographers in the business and, within the space of just over two weeks, proudly publish nearly the same photo-story.

Not to take anything away from the thoroughly accomplished James Nachtwey, Louie Palu and Tyler Hicks, but what does it tell us that TIME, The Toronto Star and The New York Times all offered us powerful, dramatic and overlapping photo-stories of U.S. medevac teams saving U.S and Afghan lives via helicopter "missions of mercy."

Is this pure coincidence? Or, does it illustrate (too well, in this case) the acumen of the Pentagon in the mediating of war access? Either way, in the aggregate this is a stunning display of American chauvinism given the intimate framing of the war in such a redundantly heroic narrative, all eyes on our warriors as saviors on high. And then, what does it mean that such high-profile redundancy can occur with hardly a notice?

Photo 1: James Nachtwey for TIME. Article: The Birds Of Hope: With A Black Hawk Medevac Unit In Afghanistan. Photo Gallery. January 17, 2011. Caption: Life Struggle: The injured Marine is treated by crew members. He survived the IED blast but lost both of his legs.

[liberal N proud]

1. This is the true cost of the war to the United States

What did the writer of this story want? Landscape pictures from Afghanistan?

These pictures are what America needs to see, what the war is truly costing those who server and their families.

[johnroshan]

3. I think what America needs to see is the OTHER FUCKING SIDE!!!

Forgive the language, but where are the pictures of the victims of the drone attacks? Where are the pictures of the people dead from bombing campaigns? Stop looking at your own losses and bravery!! God..

John.

[malaise]

7. I say look at both n/t

[w8liftinglady]

8. as one who has been there... in a manner of speaking

Americans DO need to see what their troops are facing.
NO one I know has a true concept of what troops endure.
Not even after a decade.

When I first began my anti-war activism,people could not understand my motivation and called me Un-American.

It was because I pictured my son in every injury, every KIA ...until he was injured on his second deployment.

They patched him up and sent him back for a third.

Americans won't believe or relate to the "opposition"..sice they've been shut out and mind-fed crap.
They might react when they see our troops sacrifice (more than once or twice a year)

Peace.
Beth

[SpiralHawk]

2. Thanks, UC

The k and the r.

Ptoooey on Corporate Media on it's bended knees (R).

[old mark]

4. K&R....nt

[lunatica]

5. War is so noble

:sarcasm:

[w8liftinglady]

6. and if they would broadcast them weekly , daily ..

on network TV , on local newspapers..... would people finally realize what the fuck is going on there?

Or would they change the channel?