Dan Eldon project essay

Nandi, Jeffries

Ms. Gamzon

Creative journalism

4-8-15

Dan Eldon project essay

            Dan Eldon was a war photojournalist that was taking photos in Somalia when he was killed at 22. The documentary was of his sister, Amy Eldon forming into a journalist herself to capture the story of Dan’s last moments and to get a better understanding of why he did what he did. She talked to many photojournalists that worked with him and asked questions. Each gave similar reasons for why they do it. Martin bell said “It’s a front row seat at the making of history. That’s why were there.” Christiane Amanpore told Amy that she’s always felt mandated to tell the story. “Giving all sides and equal hearing”. And when Amy expressed that she didn’t understand why exactly it was him that had to die, Christiane said that “there are certain people that have to do certain things…he did an important thing”. Peter Magumane described it to be, “Issues that I could show the world”.

Every photojournalist has a purpose and a story to tell. Whether that story is worth the lengths they go to get it or not is how they are perceived to be crazy. In the moments of them capturing the photos they might do extreme things all while in their mind they think it’s necessary. I think though that if the photos make no difference it is not worth it, which makes them crazy. Dan Eldon died while trying to expose the rest of the world to the horrid things that were going on in Somalia. Nearly every photojournalist said to Amy that they wouldn’t give their life or certain precious things for the story. Everyone except peter Magumane.

“Always remember that no picture is worth your life”- Corin Durka.

“My safety is my number one priority”- des wright.

“hardest thing was not seeing my children grow up”-Muhammad Shaffi.

But peter Mugamane was different. He was put through so much. Even put in jail for his pictures. “I was prepared to die for my country. Just to liberate my country” he said.

I think the journalistic journey that Amy Eldon went on was well worth it and showed that she cared a lot for her brother. She did her best to tell his story and why he did what he did. I think the questions she asked were really good to get a better understanding and in the end she said she had some closure so it obviously was a good thing.

I am inspired by the documentary because the photographers would be talking about their photos and the stories they tried to get out to the world and I realized that it has nothing to really do with them. So for them to go so hard to make these problems known and help the people is inspiring. Journalists have an important responsibility to get the stories to the outside world. Peter Magumane said, “My camera is my mouth piece.” They experience firsthand things that happen, capture it and let people know. I would think that they do it for a piece of the action themselves too. Don McCullen said “If I’m no Robert Capa, at least I got close”. Everyday photojournalists are taking risks, trying to capture important things.