Too Many Gray Areas.

After reading about the power of photography and the ethics of when and under what circumstances the use of images of crisis is appropriate, I feel like there are simply too many gray areas. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and after hearing multiple perspectives from photographers, editors, writers, and common people this gray area only becomes fuzzier, because each opinion is backed up with reason and evidence to support it. Each of these people come from difference sides, different parts of the world, and all have different positions in this world. It is visible through their articles the differences they feel about identity, society, and culture.

As far as using an image of crisis that you feel depicts the reality of the moment and will have a positive effect on that reality, I see nothing wrong with that. As long as the image is not forced upon anyone. One who comes from this point of view, such as someone taking photos in a poor area to display as help for that area, would seem to me as one with society, yet with a strong sense of identity. Photography is an art, and within art the artist is free to roam. Artists have a certain freedom that is not the case within most jobs. The difference is that an artist creates a work through his own style without pleasing the public in mind and having liability. A newspaper, magazine, or news network works towards presenting a certain message while also keeping the public in mind. Someone working for a magazine may not be so into the society or culture they are shooting, but simply doing their jobs. However, so many individual thoughts and feelings come into play here, and it's impossible to truly judge. 

The quote from James Nachtwey, "I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony." describes how I feel about photographs and the stories they tell. I feel his work is appropriate and just through his passion of the topic and desire to have a positive effect. On the other hand, the people gathered around the London bombing sites with cellphone cameras do not fit in this category. I feel that if one wants to capture a major moment in time, like Charles Porter in the Oklahoma City bombing, there is an appropriateness one must follow and adhere to. The problem is knowing which one of these bystanders to the bombing was taking photos for a positive effect, or selfish gain, is impossible. The multitude of people taking these photos or videos could all be portrayed as a group, the cruel one's of society, or as the individuals they are. Some recognizing their identity as one with passion for displaying realistic moments in time, and some lost in society- following sheep.