28 years later, photographer gets his Pulitzer Prize
Often the writing and photography that win
Pulitzer Prizes require heroic efforts on the part of journalists. For one
recipient this year, the process of receiving the award also took an enormous
effort.
Often the writing and photography that win Pulitzer
Prizes require heroic efforts on the part of journalists. For one recipient this
year, the process of receiving the award also took an enormous
effort.
In 1979, a photographer stood nearby as executioners shot Kurdish prisoners in Sanandaj, Iran. A picture he took for an Iranian newspaper was picked up by United Press International and published worldwide. To protect the photographer, his name was not printed.
But the image proved so compelling that it was awarded the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for spot news photography. It was the first and still the only time that the Pulitzer, the highest honor in print journalism, has been given to an anonymous winner. That was 27 years ago.
In 1979, a photographer stood nearby as executioners shot Kurdish prisoners in Sanandaj, Iran. A picture he took for an Iranian newspaper was picked up by United Press International and published worldwide. To protect the photographer, his name was not printed.
But the image proved so compelling that it was awarded the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for spot news photography. It was the first and still the only time that the Pulitzer, the highest honor in print journalism, has been given to an anonymous winner. That was 27 years ago.
This month - the night before the Pulitzer ceremony,
the mother and sister of two of the Iranians who were executed attended a dinner
and met Jahangir Razmi for the first time. “I looked at him, and I
couldn’t control myself,” said the sister, Roya Nahid, who is 51 and
lives in California. “He was the last person to see my
brother.”
The compelling part of this tale still is the photograph. Photographs of war - when not part of a PR campaign - often tell us more truth than any politician wants. From the Spanish Civil War to VietNam, individual talents have brought us memorable images. Images our hypocrite governments would never have allowed on their own.
The compelling part of this tale still is the photograph. Photographs of war - when not part of a PR campaign - often tell us more truth than any politician wants. From the Spanish Civil War to VietNam, individual talents have brought us memorable images. Images our hypocrite governments would never have allowed on their own.
Posted: Wed - May 30, 2007 at 06:47 AM