The controversy I am describing here is an ongoing one for photojournalism. When exactly to take a photograph? The ethics and privacy of taking a photograph of a person in grief or tragedy, and when to step in to help or to comfort a person. Al Diaz is a 30 year veteran of the Miami Herald, and he discusses in an "Issues & Ideas" column the ethics of what happened to him one afternoon while driving.
Diaz witnessed a woman step out of her SUV on a busy Miami highway, screaming and holding her 5-month-old nephew who was not breathing and turning blue. Diaz got out of his car to help, but once four police officers were on the scene to help, he stepped back and started taking pictures. "I did not want her seeing me taking pictures, but I know that history demonstrates that compelling images can produce unforeseen and often beneficial results," added Diaz.
Diaz argues, though, that a picture can change history, affect policy, raise awareness and cause leaders to act. In this case, inspiring people to go out and get CPR certified. Diaz captured the "Breath of Life," after the five-month-old baby failed the breath for a second time. His photograph raised awareness. In the words of Al Diaz: "Respond as a human being first, a photojournalist second."
Personally, I believe what Al Diaz did was the right thing. How could you argue that helping a woman in need, and then documenting the experience, with the effect that it had is unethical?
Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/02/3968980/photojournalist-confronts-ethical.html
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