A black and white image depicts American soldiers raising the flag at Iwo Jima in 1945. They are standing on the rubble of war, claiming victory for the U.S. This iconic photograph is recognized by many. It perfectly captures a moment in time. “Still photographs are the most powerful weapon in the world,” Eddie Adams, Pulitzer prize winner said. A photograph worthy of a Pulitzer tells a story in a way that a thousand words could not. The story may not be easy to see, but it’s what people need to see.
Photographs that you see stay with you. It’s hard to forget some images, especially those that elicit an emotional response. Eddie Adams’ photograph, “Saigon Execution,” is one of these photographs. An American soldier holds a gun to the head of a Vietcong prisoner of war. The photo was taken seconds before the man was executed in the street. The image is so raw, and so powerful. It illustrates the last moment of a man’s life. At the time the photograph was published, American citizens were shocked. Empathizing with the enemy isn’t easy, and this photo enabled those who viewed it to feel the pain of the prisoner. More importantly, the photo accurately depicted a part of the war people may not have wanted to see.
Three years later a photograph was taken of a young Vietnamese girl. She is naked, and behind her is a large black cloud of smoke. The image is titled, “Napalmed Girl,” and was taken by Nick Ut. She is walking with other children, and they all appear to be crying out in pain. The moment holds great pain, and it showed the American public a harsh truth about the Vietnam war. Not only were things escalating, innocent children were suffering.
In 1985 a devastating mudslide tore through Armero. The disaster was caused by the eruption of active volcano Nevado del Ruiz. Carol Guzy and Michel du Cille were awarded the Pulitzer prize for a series of photographs taken in the wake of the disaster. Omayra Sanchez is the subject of some of these impactful images. She was a thirteen year old girl whose lower body was trapped beneath the debris of her home. Relief workers were unable to free her from the water, and the photographs document her last hours. She looks directly at the camera in most of the shots. Her pain is evident, and it is easy to feel for her. The journalists who take photographs like these sacrifice so much to bring stories to the public. How can anyone be expected to sleep well again after witnessing such tragedy?
“Berlin Wall Falls,” is a photograph taken by David Turnley. A young man stands at the Berlin wall as he does his part to disassemble it. He is wielding a mallet and a chisel and chipping away at the wall. The photograph is one that expresses a feeling of triumph. One who views it may feel empowered, it almost makes you feel like you’re there. Like you are the one breaking down the wall.
