Other Inks Like This
Grant's RantThe Last Ten Inks
Utata Ink IndexAll Inks : Archives
More Ink (Archives)Search Ink
Got Ink?
The Daily Ink is the voice of Utata. Yes, your voice, our voices ... all the voices. We'd be tickled pink if our members helped us define that voice. And this, Utatans, would be your chance to do that.
Suggest An InkUtata's Fair Use Policy
Utata.org may occasionally excerpt content or use small reproductions of protected images for the purposes of comment, criticism, or education. This use falls under the FAIR USE guidelines in accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107. We evaluate all fair-use situations on a case-by-case basis.
For more information on Fair UseSubscribe To Utata Ink
A Picture Not Taken
Daily Ink
Stored in: Photography News
Posted On: March 25 2008
By: Brittney Bush
Photo © Velvet G
One day in April 2004, Rick Loomis, a Los Angeles Times photographer working in Iraq, put down his camera to pick up mortally wounded Marine Lance Cpl. Aaron Austin and help carry him from a danger zone. In a story in yesterday's edition of the newspaper, Loomis describes the circumstances of the event:
My instinct was to stop and photograph the scene. But they needed help and waved me over. I was always taught to be a human being first, and a photojournalist second. I abandoned any thoughts of a dramatic battle photograph. I lifted the wounded Marine by his right arm; three Marines carried him by his other limbs. As his buddies hauled him inside an abandoned schoolhouse, I remember trying to keep the back of his head from hitting the top step.
As a busy photojournalist, Loomis photographs people on a daily basis, few of whom he's likely to remember five years later. But, he says, "It's the picture I didn't take that has left Austin burned forever in my memory."
2 comments on this Ink
On March 26, 2008, Jeremy Bechthold said ...
As a former soldier (and now wanna be photographer)that served in Iraq I cannot help but feel grateful and respectful toward Mr. Loomis for his actions.
Thank you.
On April 07, 2008, Kym Bearden said ...
Thumbs up! It feels good in the soul to hear. Thank you for your services and thank you Mr. Loomis for being a human!
Otherwise, in Photography News:
- Previously: Dressed For Success
- Next: A Day In The Life
Utata Ink is a daily publication edited by Bryan Partington (striatic). Photos used on utata.org are stored on flickr.com and obtained via the flickr API unless otherwise noted. To make a contribution to Ink, please visit Ink Me.
