Summary Of The Boston Photographs By Nora Ephron

Should more photographs of death and dying be published in the media? Nora Ephron (1941 – 2012) who was a reporter for the New York Post as well as senior editor for Esquire magazine voiced her opinion on images of death in the media in her essay, The Boston Photographs (Barnet & Bedau 170). After Boston Herald American’s photographer Stanley Forman captured several shocking photos of a woman and two children falling from a burning building in 1975, the American public had all types of responses. (Ephron, 1978; Barnet & Bedau, 2014). In the photos, a Boston fire fighter is shown helping this family exit their smoke-filled apartment via fire escape. The children survived, but unfortunately for their god-mother, it was the last jump she’d take.

Of the responses she references to, the majority of them have negative opinions on showing death in the media. For example, a reader wrote to the Chicago Sun Times saying sarcastically that it was a shame she wasn’t wearing a skirt for her underpants to be on display as she fell to her death (Ephron, 1978, p. 173). Ephron also refers to Charles Seib of the Washington Star, who, in 1975, was the managing editor receiving all of the calls and letters regarding the photos. Seib seemed to take the side of those sensitive and compassionate by saying that as an editor, he would have posted the photos, but as a reader, he was revolted by them. (Ephron, 1978, p.

A professional reporter, editor, or photographer will naturally have a different perspective of photos of a failed rescue attempt. They are exposed to similar photos and stories on a regular basis. Instead of being seen as individuals, the subjects in these shots are seen as newsworthy, action-filled content. Stanley Forman himself said in an article written after the incident that, “except for the tragedy itself, the whole experience has been fantastic. Other newsmen will know what I mean, even if a lot of crack letter writers do not.” (Forman, 1975). There is a sense of understanding amongst members of the journalism world, a sense of urgency to find the most thrilling story. Critics and professionals from that world recognize each other’s work. Forman even went on to win a Pulitzer Prize for one of the photographs taken on this tragic day, as well as two more prizes in his later career (Forman, 2010). In an article about photographers’ responsibility to help (or not) in the situation they’re photographing, Boston Globe columnist Joan Veonnochi stated in Forman’s defense, “Journalism requires detachment and photo journalism requires instant reflexes. I am more inclined to damn tabloid news editors than a photographer who stumbles upon a soon-to-be