Controversial Photos

warrense123 wrote:

aldyn wrote: I think it's a striking, thought-provoking photo. The people sitting and conversing (seemingly) casually is such a contrast to what is going on in the city skyline behind them. The events of 9/11 are arguably the most emotionally charged events to occur in this country's history, so the juxtaposition is fascinating to me. Do I think these people didn't care what was going on? Of course not. I think this was a split second on that day. I think these people gathered to bear witness, I doubt they even know each other. I don't find these people callous or uncaring. I give props to the photgrapher for taking such a memorable image.

Whether they are callous or not (I don't think they are either), the photographer saw a moment and captured it. And it is indeed a fascinating photograph. It's a shame he waited so long to release it, though I really can't blame him for it.

That shows he had respect for the situation.


I think it's an absolutely amazing photograph. People that weren't born yet or too young when this happened can learn a lot from the picture and the things we all remember.

Work like this helps for education and will be discussed for years.

Scotty wrote:

warrense123 wrote:

aldyn wrote: I think it's a striking, thought-provoking photo. The people sitting and conversing (seemingly) casually is such a contrast to what is going on in the city skyline behind them. The events of 9/11 are arguably the most emotionally charged events to occur in this country's history, so the juxtaposition is fascinating to me. Do I think these people didn't care what was going on? Of course not. I think this was a split second on that day. I think these people gathered to bear witness, I doubt they even know each other. I don't find these people callous or uncaring. I give props to the photgrapher for taking such a memorable image.

Whether they are callous or not (I don't think they are either), the photographer saw a moment and captured it. And it is indeed a fascinating photograph. It's a shame he waited so long to release it, though I really can't blame him for it.

That shows he had respect for the situation.


I think it's an absolutely amazing photograph. People that weren't born yet or too young when this happened can learn a lot from the picture and the things we all remember.

Work like this helps for education and will be discussed for years.

Perhaps so. More than we can say from the repeated newsreels of folks jumping from the towers.

Tear-jerking, heart-wrenching images/videos right after the incident: Ok. This shot: Not?

Or do you think it all should have waited? Personally I find the aforementioned jumping shots way more controversial than this shot ever could be.

warrense123 wrote:

Scotty wrote:

warrense123 wrote:

aldyn wrote: I think it's a striking, thought-provoking photo. The people sitting and conversing (seemingly) casually is such a contrast to what is going on in the city skyline behind them. The events of 9/11 are arguably the most emotionally charged events to occur in this country's history, so the juxtaposition is fascinating to me. Do I think these people didn't care what was going on? Of course not. I think this was a split second on that day. I think these people gathered to bear witness, I doubt they even know each other. I don't find these people callous or uncaring. I give props to the photgrapher for taking such a memorable image.

Whether they are callous or not (I don't think they are either), the photographer saw a moment and captured it. And it is indeed a fascinating photograph. It's a shame he waited so long to release it, though I really can't blame him for it.

That shows he had respect for the situation.


I think it's an absolutely amazing photograph. People that weren't born yet or too young when this happened can learn a lot from the picture and the things we all remember.

Work like this helps for education and will be discussed for years.

Perhaps so. More than we can say from the repeated newsreels of folks jumping from the towers.

Tear-jerking, heart-wrenching images/videos right after the incident: Ok. This shot: Not?

Or do you think it all should have waited? Personally I find the aforementioned jumping shots way more controversial than this shot ever could be.

The first thing I thought of when I saw this shot posted, was how life has changed since it happened. Things aren't as care free as it used to be here in the states. A lot more serious now. I mean hell look at airports.

The jumping videos i've seen when history showed a repeat of the day on the 1st year anniversary. I never want to see that visual again.

This shot is a representation of history. I think the fact the guy waited awhile to release it shows he wasn't trying to be disrespectful.

Right, I don't think he was trying to be disrespectful either. I just mean to say with all the images and videos out there of the tragedy, THIS is the one image that stirred so much controversy, and 5 years later to boot. That's pretty unbelievable to me. People just want to get up on a high horse about something, in this case, how they would have looked much more concerned that the people pictured. At least, that's the only explanation I can think of.

warrense123 wrote: Right, I don't think he was trying to be disrespectful either. I just mean to say with all the images and videos out there of the tragedy, THIS is the one image that stirred so much controversy, and 5 years later to boot. That's pretty unbelievable to me. People just want to get up on a high horse about something, in this case, how they would have looked much more concerned that the people pictured. At least, that's the only explanation I can think of.

I think this picture stirs up emotion in everyone. Some people might not like what it stirs up. I think in the years to come it'll be considered one of the best pictures ever taken for historic reference for the US. End of an era if you ask me.

It's not grotesque and it doesn't celebrate anything negative. It mere reflection.

Good in my eyes.