I have just been asked what I think about this kuffufle around the publication of the “Diana death picture”
The ‘last photograph’ of Princess Diana taken moments after her fatal car crash has been published by a foreign magazine.
The black and white photograph shows the Princess being given oxygen in the Mercedes at the crash site at a Paris underpass.
Now it is an emotive subject for a lot of people but I can not make my mind up about this. On the one hand it seems in poor taste and is bound to upset people but on the other hand why ought she be treated any differently? Why is it ok to have gratuitous pictures of Iraq conflict victims but not a princess?
Personally I would never have taken it in the first place, let alone been in a position to sell it, Diana or not. I’m not entirely sure there is any good to come from this other than a big payday for the photographer.
What do you think? Would you take and sell this picture or not? Should it be published?
Technorati Tags: photographer, ethics, diana, photography, news
7 Comments
Personally I think it is OK to publish this Picture. It is actually an event that occured as tragic as it may have been.
In my opinion a Picture that just shows History (and is not edited to show some untrue things) is OK to publish unless not a specific person or group is being hurt/damaged in any way by doing so. I am speaking of real damage here as in financially or reputational ways or similar.
Overall I think that as a Photographer (regardless of profession) we are supposed to record the history of the world and should be allowed to show it in an unaltered way. Exceptions as stated earlier may apply under very special circumstances… in this case I see none (I might be wrong, so speak up if I am)
For what I would understand least is why it should be treated differently just because it was about Princess Diana. There have been many other more cruel and more ethical suspect things been posted in the past with less fuss about it …
Who might like such tragic Photos may be another story …
Who might like them is a good point – there wouldn’t be a market for this picture if the public hadn’t shown an appetite for newspapers featuring them
I do agree with you …
Bad Sensation was, is and probably always will draw higher attention to it than anything else … unfortunately !
Well, how else would we explain that Shows like “Big Brother” and the likes (showing others Life at display to the wide public) are such a big success ? It is just a fact that people are more interested in the lifes of others than sometimes their own.
Ironic if you come to think about it: The Accident was caused by Papparazzi chasing Diana in Hunt for some Bad Sensation !
Even more ironic that the event (accident) that was caused by Paparazzi is now resulting in another “Big Wave” concerning about Pictures and Publication ! Not to say bad sensation !
The ethical question changes if the photographer was one of the guys who were chasing her through the city at high speeds. Bit different than passively recording a scene.
I get your point, I would add it would be worse if the guy was in the way of medical services or standing well back allowing her to be tended to
I really want to see this photo/s.
Personally I did not like Princess Diana. Even though i was fully aware she was a well liked member of the royal family, but should not be treated any different than Joe Blogg’s. Her death may have been tragic for some and quite controversial but the photograph should not even have thought of as being reserved or held back. In my opinion it was a matter of public interest and as such it had to be published.