Issue 23 - One Shot

Hello and welcome to my weekly email newsletter, Deep Life Reflections: Friday Five, where I share five things I’m enjoying, thinking about, and find interesting.

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Here’s my Friday Five this week.

1. What I’m Reading

A single photo can change the world. I know, because I took one that did. Opinion article by photographer Nick Ut in The Washington Post.

Nick Ut’s photograph, “Napalm Girl,” remains one of the most harrowing and infamous images of the twentieth century. Fifty years later, he shares the story behind the photo in a Washington Post opinion article. I encourage you to take a few minutes over the weekend to read it.

Can a photograph help end a war?

That’s the question Ut wrestles with in his article. Against the backdrop of the present-day Russian invasion of Ukraine and its devastating toll on innocent civilians, he reflects on the enduring relevance of “Napalm Girl.” Many people credit his photograph for hastening the end of the Vietnam War, but Ut remains certain of only one thing—that it captured the absolute horrors of war, defined by a young girl running naked amid destruction and death. He recounts the terrible events that unfolded and how he used his position as a member of the press to save the young girl’s life.

The girl in the photograph is Phan Thi Kim Phuc. In the following years, we learn about her remarkable journey and the close bond she shares with Ut, affectionately referring to him as “uncle.” Today, Kim Phuc serves as a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO, using her voice to advocate for peace and aid others in war-torn regions. While she initially despised the photograph, she now believes it has given her a purpose in life.

Meanwhile, Ut continues to believe that a single photo can make a difference. Even in the horrors of war, we can still see the resiliency of humanity.

2. What I’m Watching

JFK. Directed by Oliver Stone

In his 1991 film JFK, Oliver Stone presents a multi-layered narrative that weaves together historical events, government conspiracy theories, and courtroom testimonies, exploring the aftermath of President Kennedy’s death. Stone challenges the official explanation presented by the Warren Commission, which concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in shooting the president.

Despite the release of once-classified documents by the Biden administration in 2022, the definitive truth behind America’s most famous assassination remains elusive, and conspiracy theories continue to swirl.

Never one to shun controversy, Stone is happy to embrace these conspiracy theories. However, the power of JFK the film isn’t necessarily in the facts or "the truth” Stone offers (he uses a mix of dramatisation and real-life footage), but in his ability to capture how people felt about the assassination—the raw emotions: anger, distrust, and fear. It’s masterfully done. At the emotional and intellectual centre of the film stands Kevin Costner’s portrayal of district attorney, Jim Garrison, who follows the labyrinth of conspiracy and suspicion.

The assassination of JFK is etched into the collective memory of America through single images of horror, none more impactful than the famous 8mm home movie footage captured by Abraham Zapruder, which includes the fatal shot. This single shot, replayed countless times, left a permanent mark on America's conscience and became a symbol of the power inherent in a single photograph.

3. What I’m Contemplating

A single photograph can make a difference. It transcends borders and language, and ignites emotions and conversations around the world. Both “Napalm Girl” and the assassination of JFK remind us of the enduring role photography plays in shaping history, inspiring change, and fueling intense discussions.

Yet, as technology continues to advance rapidly, particularly in Artificial Intelligence and generative art, we confront a new ethical frontier. With approximately 4.7 billion photos taken every day and a projected surge to 6 billion by 2030, the prevalence of images is unparalleled. However, this abundance of images is likely to come at a cost. The ease of manipulating images has raised concerns about their authenticity and credibility.

Unlike the past, where tampering with photos was difficult, limited, and subject to scrutiny, modern technology removes these barriers, making image manipulation (and creation) more accessible than ever. The impact of a “Napalm Girl” moment might get diluted by fabricated content designed to overshadow and influence. It prompts us to question whether we will have the governance and validity measures in place to recognise the real from the artificial, preserving the power of a single photograph to instigate change.

In this age of image overload, the potency of a single shot remains undiminished, but we must safeguard its authenticity and value. By confronting the ethical challenges posed by technology's advancements and upholding the significance of genuine moments, we can ensure the power of a single photo continues to leave a lasting impression on our lives and the world.

4. A Quote to note

“There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.”

- Ansel Adams, American landscape photographer

5. A Question for you

In the age of selfies and instant photo sharing (the average person is estimated to take 25,000 selfies in their lifetime), do you believe we have lost the art of capturing and cherishing truly meaningful moments through photography or has the wider accessibility and ease of digital photography given us greater opportunity to capture our most meaningful moments?

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And you can read all previous issues of Deep Life Reflections here.

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.

James