The Shot
(a workshop) September 2009
"Photographs [are] both objective record and personal testimony, both a faithful copy or transcription of an actual moment of reality and an interpretation of that reality." -Susan Sontag, Regarding the Pain of Others
The workshop explored a fictional dilemma with contemporary significance: photographs taken by an embedded photojournalist of a dead US soldier in Afghanistan and the impact of that action in the US. The photojournalist is unable to publish them. He is approached by a reporter who suggests meeting up with the soldier's widow. The meeting takes place in Pennsylvania with a Casualty Affairs Officer present. The wife sees the photos and must decide whether or not she wishes to join the fight for others to see them. Interwoven amongst the central story was the commentary of a right wing radio host and a TV anchor.
Workshopped by Stephanie Bratnick, Burke Brown, Cathy Caplan, Charles Coes, Gardiner Comfort, Brian Farish, Jason Fleitz, Laura Jensen, Anna G. Jones, Anya Klepikov, Roweena Mackay, Jamel Rodriguez & Jeanette Yew
Photography by Peter Rad
with thanks to Carlo Altomare, Esther and Stephen Jones, Brian Palmer, Polina and Fred Williams and XO Projects