EXTRA CREDIT FOR FINAL

1. Explain what happened to the man that was killed by the subway and how the photographer was able to take the photo. 
The man was trying to calm down a panhandler who had gotten angry, but had been pushed in front of train. The man could not pull himself out and the photographer claims that he tried to warn the train that the man was there by using his flash on his camera because he couldn't help the man get out. He also was taking pictures just before the train hit. 

2. Why did the photographer say he took the photo?
The photographer said that he was just doing his job as a photojournalist. 

3. Do you think the photographer should have taken the photo?
I do believe that it was alright for the photographer to take this photo because he did try to help. I also believe though that he could have tried harder in helping the man out of his situation. I believe that several people could've helped the fallen man and they just didn't step up in time. The photographer was just doing his job, yes he could've tried to help more, but in reality, he isn't a police officer, he isn't a fireman, he's a photographer. He was photographer just doing his job. 

4. Do you think the photographer did the best thing he could have done in this situation? Why or why not?
No, I honestly think that the photographer could have tried harder to save the man but he was so absorbed in the fact of having a record-breaking story that he was more interested in getting a priceless photo than saving a life.


5. Do you agree or disagree with the decision to run the photo on the front page of the New York Post? Explain why or why not.
I do think that it is rather morbid to show a photo like that in the New York Post because it's something that maybe the public should see but maybe they shouldn't see. I feel like it did not give the man who died justice because it's as if they were glamorizing the fact that a train wreck occurred and there was a photographer there to capture it all instead of the story of a photographer saving a man's life.


6. What is more important to a photojournalist, capturing images of life as it happens or stopping bad things from happening? Why or why not?
A photojournalist wants to capture images of life as it happens because that is what they are told to do. They are told not to get involved and just take the picture. It's like in the case of that man who took that picture of the dying boy and vulture. Did he help the child? Take him somewhere to bring him back to a healthy state? No, he just took the picture and left. Yes, it is a bit inhumane but if a photographer stopped to help someone every time there was a situation we wouldn't have some of the great photos we have today. 

7. Do you think it is ever ethically acceptable for a photographer to involve himself/herself in a situation that he or she photographs? Explain why or why not.
I think that if there is a situation in which a photographer could help someone in they should definitely go for it. I believe that a life is for the most part more important than a photo and if a photographer takes a photo of a situation and has that feeling in the pit of their stomach that they should help, then they should help. 

8. Should photojournalists always avoid influencing events as they happen? Explain your answer.
No, like I stated in the answer above I think that if a photographer has a gut feeling that they should aid someone in need that they should definitely stop taking photos and help solve the situation.
 
9. After reading the responses from the professional photographers, what stands out as the most appropriate response for a photographer to this situation.
The photographer in any situation will most likely say that it's their job to take photos for others to see and open up the eyes of people around the world, not to be super heroes. Their emotions should not get involved in the situation that they are in.