Reflections on Photographing Tragedy

My work, photojournalism, Published work, Still photography, Thoughts

Last Friday morning I found myself frantically running out of the house to get to Marysville-Pilchuck High School. I arrived to find a chaotic, scary, and tragic scene. Another school shooting had happened in the U.S., and it was the second in Washington state this year. It was odd, in a way, as I found myself taking pictures while high school students broke down in tears. I’ve taken pictures of many similar scenes before, but something felt more strange on that day.

Tragedy had recently struck in my personal life. I had lost a cousin only days earlier, and he was much too young to go. I wondered, “What would my own family members think if they were the ones here at Marysville-Pilchuck High School being photographed? What if it were me?” It didn’t feel wrong to be present that day near the high school, when busloads of evacuated kids were reunited with their loved ones, but it was a strange, sad, and chaotic experience.

Many things about working as a photojournalist in Washington in 2014 have been tragic. A massive mudslide in March between Oso and Darrington killed 43. A KOMO News helicopter crashed near the Space Needle, killing two. A shooter opened fire at Seattle Pacific University in June, killing one and wounding two more. The Carlton Complex Fire, the largest in state history, burned over 250,000 acres this summer, consumed scores of homes, and caused one heart attack death. I was on scene during or shortly after all of these events, subjecting myself to trauma but with acute awareness that yes, I choose to be here. The question is: Why? And how can I make sense of so much tragedy?

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(Above: Aftermath of the Carlton Complex Fire. Photo by David Ryder)

It’s normal to feel angry, sad, or fearful. There may be no answers to our questions, but I talk with friends, family, and colleagues. Some turn to religion, which has played a massive role in Oso, Marysville, and at SPU. I also approach my work with an academic lens to find meaning and to heal.

Much has been written in the academic realm about journalism and tragedy, but I think Susan Sontag’s words continue to resonate decades after she wrote them. This is a poignant quote from her book, Regarding the Pain of Others, that helped me this week: “There is nothing wrong with standing back and thinking. To paraphrase several sages: ‘Nobody can think and hit someone at the same time.'”

(Robin Youngblood on Surviving the Oso, Washington Mudslide. By David Ryder for The Weather Channel.)

She wrote this in a portion of the book on the act of looking and why we value the sense of sight so much. She says “standing back and thinking,” but that is tied closely to standing back and looking. I think that the pictures produced by photojournalists help us to stand back and to think during times of crisis. The more we can find ways to stand back and think, the more peaceful (and at peace) we can be.

This Susan Sontag quote has helped me during what has been a difficult week, a difficult October, and a quite challenging 2014. Hopefully you might find it useful, too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Polaroid Cube Review

Gear, Multimedia, Still photography, Video

The Polaroid Cube is an amazingly affordable little video camera that is going to capture a lot of potential GoPro consumers. It is essentially a stripped down GoPro with the basic features you need: 1080 HD video capture and 6MP still photos. You can also put it in an underwater case or use the built-in magnet to attach the Polaroid Cube to metal objects. Other accessories are available, too.

At $99, the camera makes a lot of sense when compared to GoPro models ranging in price from $130-500. Coincidentally, GoPro has just released a new comparable camera, the entry-level HERO, that hits that lower-end $130 price point … Have a look at this Polaroid Cube review and decide for yourself what fits you.

Polaroid Cube Review: The Basics

 

The Polaroid Cube is a little cube with a lens, and not much else. This is great, in my opinion, because it keeps filmmaking fun, easy, and accessible. That’s the point of a camera in this market; if you want something more professional for, say, an interview, you probably already own a DSLR or something better.

Here’s what you get: A tiny, 1.4″ cube of a camera that weights 0.1 pounds. It’s got 32GB of internal memory and a slot for a microSD card. It records sound, but that might not be as important to you as the video quality. The video looks a little better than a GoPro does, from what I’ve seen, but the still photos aren’t going to be as good.

The pros: It’s tiny, light, and easy.

The cons: The Polaroid Cube only comes with a magnet mount, so you’re going to have to bust out the gaffer tape or buy accessories to mount this thing on a tripod or anything non-metallic.

 

Polaroid Cube vs GoPro HERO

(Above: GoPro’s entry-level HERO camera)

So, what do you want to buy? You’re getting essentially the same thing with both cameras. When it’s Polaroid Cube vs GoPro HERO, I recommend the Polaroid Cube. They are both basic, useful HD video cameras. If you want something that can shoot in 4K or has remote capabilities via wifi and mobile apps, then go for a higher-end GoPro, but if you’re staying in the entry-level range, stick with the Polaroid Cube. Review them for yourself though, and let me know what you think.

Thanks for reading.