Forgiven Scars

In Nick Ut's Award winning photo, Kim Phuc is seen running naked from the scene of a napalm attack, her clothes burned off her body.

In Nick Ut’s Award winning photo, Kim Phuc is seen running naked from the scene of a napalm attack, her clothes burned off her body. photography enthusiasts, this photo may look all too familiar.

To photography enthusiasts, this photo may look all too familiar. To those who are unacquainted with it, this is the photo that won Nick Ut his Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography. Seen in tho photo is Kim Phuc, a young Vietnamese girl whose village was razed in a south Vietnamese napalm attack. At first the photo was rejected by an AP editor, but after some debate over the overwhelming news value of the photo, the fact that the photo portrayed frontal nudity, an absolute no-no at the Associated Press, had to be overlooked. The photo then went on to spur violent anti-war protests.

Beyond this tragedy, however, is a story of rebirth. 9-year-old Kim Phuc did not succumb to the burns the doctors thought she would not survive. Instead, after 14 months of at the hospital, countless operations and years of therapy, she returned to her family and her home village to resume normal life.

Although she did suffer much psychological trauma from the event, eventually she found emotional peace.

On Veteran’s day, 1996, at a gathering of Vietnam war veterans, Kim gave a speech about the attack she survived. She spoke about how she was able to overcome the anger she felt toward those responsible.Also present was John Plummer, who was in the plane that dropped napalm on her village. Upon hearing her story, he made his way to her, calling her name and saying he was sorry. Coming down from the stage, Kim embraced him, telling him that all was forgiven.

She went on to found the Kim Phuc Foundation, which helps child victims of war. Soon after she became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

My life helps heal the hearts of others. It was the fire of the bombs that burned my body; the skill of the doctors that mended my skin. But it took the power of God’s love to heal my heart.   – Kim Phuc

Kim Phuc is, without doubt, a well documented example of the beauty of boundless forgiveness. Despite all the wrong done to her, she was capable of letting it go. Now, she uses her experiences to inspire others to help the cause of those who are in similar situations.

A Red Paperclip For a House

A lot of crazy far flung things are birthed by the internet everyday. Many among the vast collection are profane and obscene but out of the many a few true gems show through.

The story of One Red Paperclip is a shocking but true tale of an extraordinary adventure. It begins with Kyle McDonald, a Canadian blogger, following how he starts off with a red paperclip and barters his way to owning his very own house. He goes through a total of 14 transaction starting with a red paperclip holding his resume together and ending with a two-story house in Kipling, Saskatchewan.

Kyle McDonald holds up a paperclip in front of his house in Kipling, Saskatchewan.

Kyle’s inspiration for his crazy adventure was Bigger, Better, a game involving bartering simple items competitively to see how comes up with a better object than the others. Little did he know that after 14 trades he would have a house and an amazing adventure. In an interview with CTV News Montreal he said, “Just getting to your goal isn’t the plan, it’s all about the adventure along the way.”

  1. He traded the paperclip for a fish-shaped pen.
  2. He then traded the pen the same day for a hand-sculpted doorknob
  3. He traded the knob for a Coleman camp stove (with fuel).
  4. He traded the camp stove for a Honda generator.
  5. He traded the generator for an “instant party”: an empty keg, an IOU for filling the keg with the beer of the holder’s choice, and a neon Budweiser sign.
  6.  

    He traded the “instant party” to Quebec comedian and radio personality Michel Barrette for one Ski-doo snowmobile.

  7. He traded the snowmobile for a two-person trip to Yahk, British Columbia.
  8. He traded the second spot on the Yahk trip for a cube van.
  9. He traded the cube van for a recording contract with Metalworks in Mississauga, Ontario.
  10. He traded the recording contract to Jody Gnant for a year’s rent in Phoenix, Arizona.
  11. He traded the one year’s rent in Phoenix, Arizona, for one afternoon with Alice Cooper.
  12. He traded the one afternoon with Alice Cooper for a KISS motorized snow globe.
  13. He traded the KISS motorized snow globe to Corbin Bernsen for a role in the film Donna on Demand.
  14. Finally, he traded the movie role for a two-story farmhouse in Kipling, Saskatchewan.

    Kyle McDonald’s House in Saskatchewan.

He adapted his story into a book, entitled “One Red Paperclip.” The book covers his barter journey and the people he met along the way.
http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/one-red-paperclip-the-story-of-how-one-man-changed-his-life-one-swap-at-a-time/9780091914530

“Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge From the Holocaust” at Cinematheque, Iloilo

Endorsed by the Film Development Council of the Philippines, Rescue in the Philippines will be screened at CinemathequeIloilo from October 7-12. Created and Directed by Russell Hodge, Cynthia Scott-Johnson, Terry Irving, and Jenny Gebhardt, the documentary has already been shown in Los Angeles and New York.

Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge From the Holocaust is a full length documentary feature about the exploits of the Frieder brothers, Manuel Quezon, Paul McNutt amd Dwight Eisenhower leading up to the rescue and immigration of 1,200 Jews to the Philippines.

Set in the days leading up to World War II, it revolves around the choices, sacrifices and contributions of these men, all from different backgrounds, brought together by integrity and compassion.

“The people of the Philippines will have in the future every reason to be glad that when the time of need came, their country was willing to extend a hand of welcome.”        -Manuel Quezon

Among the photos recovered during the research done for the documentary was this photo of the refugees attending dinner at Frieders home – April 30 1940.

Photojournalism Tips: Caption

We know all to well, that a picture paints a thousand words. This, however is not to be taken literally when considering photo captions. It is a common mistake when posting photos to not include proper captions, thinking that the photo alone will suffice. In a journalistic sense, however, this is in my opinion, irresponsible.

The main purpose of photos in journalism is to supplement the information in an article, strengthen the emotional impact of a story, or help readers better establish the context of the news. It goes without saying, that when you allow the readers complete freedom to interpret the photo as they please, it could throw the readers off, and be counterproductive.

When considering captions, less is more. Do not confuse the reader with long drawn out sentences. Rather, state what would seem obvious to you as a photographer, add a little embellishment, and grammar check.

IMG_0500

Ogtonganons take to the streets, parading in colorful suit during the 2014 Katagman Festival in Oton, Iloilo.

Take this photo for example, taken at the 2014 Katagman Festival in Oton, Iloilo.

First, state what is going on in the photo. “Dancers take to the streets, parading in colorful suit.”

Add facts and embellish. Don’t forget to include when and where. “Ogtonganons take to the streets, parading in colorful suit during the 2014 Katagman Festival in Oton, Iloilo.”

You could also use witty wordplay or the like. “Ogtonganons take to the streets, with much literal fanfare during the 2014 Katagman Festival in Oton, Iloilo.”