Over the years, many different photojournalists have won Pulitzer Prizes for their amazing photographs of historical events or stories that captivate the people. But to the people taking the pictures, it’s not a photo contest. According to Pulitzer winner William Snyder, “It’s not a photography contest. It’s about telling some of the biggest stories of the year.” Here are some of the most compelling photographs over the decades.
In the 1940s, the world was faced with the pressing issues of Germany and World War II. The U.S. initially decided to not get involved. Then Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. After that, we went into all-out war with the rest of the world. Troops spent months and years fighting overseas in the Pacific and various parts of Europe for freedom. In the photo “Iwo Jima, 1945,” we see U.S. soldiers raising up the American flag on the battlefield on the island of Iwo Jima. They seemed to claim the island as theirs during the island-hopping operations. Photos such as this are so important because they show us history right before our eyes. Pulitzer winner John White said, “It’s a front seat to history.”
In the late 1960s, the Vietnam War was still raging on. The U.S. had gotten somewhat involved to stop the spread of Communism, but were failing in their help. In 1969, the picture of the “Saigon Execution” was taken. A prisoner who had been dragged out of a building and was being walked down the street was being photographed by Eddie Adams. Eddie said he was told that when a prisoner was brought out in sight he was to, “photograph and photograph until he was no longer in sight.” As they were walking, a Vietnamese general pulled out a pistol and pointed it at the prisoner’s head. Eddie pulled out his camera and took the photo right as the prisoner was killed. After, he continued to go on about his day because that was war.
In Seattle in 1975, there was a house on a waterfront that broke out into a huge fire. Firefighters were called to respond and began combatting the fire immediately. As the fire continued to rage on, the firefighters kept on battling the fire and holding their ground so it wouldn’t continue to spread. Photojournalist and Pulitzer winner Jerry Gay took a photo of some of the firefighters during the fire. As they sat down, tired, weathered and beaten down by the fire, they looked like soldiers who were fighting a war for a country. They were giving everything they had to save this house and make sure it could survive.
In 1980, photojournalist and Pulitzer winner Skeeter Hagler went down to Texas to photograph some local cowboys. He went down with his tennis shoes and T-shirt on to ask if they would be all right with it. Skeeter said, “Once you make friends with them, which isn’t easy, you’re friends for life.” Skeeter was basically invisible to the cowboys. He got to photograph their everyday lives and bring these cowboys to life. Skeeter captured the cowboys best when he said, “Cowboys are out there roping cattle all day. And for their pass time, they rope more cattle.”
In 1992, the Olympics were back around. This time, they were taking place in Barcelona. The atmosphere of the Olympics is something unmatchable. This is where the best of the best athletes come to compete every four years. To capture these moments on film is a huge opportunity. Pulitzer winners Ken Geiger and William Snyder had an unlimited amount of film and were ready to shoot everything they could. Ken Geiger said, “You’re always having to press that shutter before something happens.” William Snyder’s advice was, “Get out ahead of it…. Anticipate. That’s what you’re after.”
All of these photos capture something amazing in them. They each have a story to tell, whether it’s a good story, a sad story, a story that provokes anger or anything else. In the words on Pulitzer winner John White, “Everyone has a story. And we sing their song. If we don’t do it—if the journalist doesn’t do it—who’s going to do it?”
