Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/11/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]That is some story, Ted. I could not have taken those photos - just not cut out for PJ I guess. Ken On 11/20/2010 11:07 AM, tedgrant at shaw.ca wrote: > Ken Carney offered:: > >> I have read many books on the Chernobyl incident, but this photo >> essay is outstanding IMHO. I was invited to be part of a trade >> delegation to Kiev about a month after the explosion, but I begged >> off. The images may be disturbing to many. It is impossible to >> think how this would be multiplied, even in the case of a "limited" >> nuclear attack or exchange. > >> http://todayspictures.slate.com/inmotion/essay_chernobyl/ <<< > > Hi Ken, > I was invited to Russia in 1992 to produce a documentary on their > medical profession similar as seen in my book "Doctor's Work. The > Legacy of Sir William Osler" on Canadian, and USA medical professionals. > > While there a request to do something on the Chernobyl disaster. > Surviving children of the day and from the explosion. > > In 60 years as a photojournalist I've never been so emotionally > stressed out photographing children, no where near as bad as we see in > the Magnum series. Never the less incredible. > > The killer for me was while in a St. Petersburg hospital with a great > number of children. While doing rounds with one of the doctor's she > told me, "we would be with children whom she knew would never make it, > period! Not a hope!" That was bad enough to set me off because at home > my grandchildren were of similar ages as many there. > > In a simple clean little room we entered to see a boy, maybe 6 or 7 > yrs, eyes closed lying on his bed. She sat down took his hand in hers, > checking pulse. Then in a very gentle soft quiet voice she began to > sing a Russian lullaby. There was no response from the child and I > snapped away a few frames. > > Then she stopped, a glance at me, then reached for the blanket and > pulled it over the boy. He had succumbed to his illness while I was > snapping away and she was singing/humming her lullaby! I couldn't hold > it back and began to cry stepping out of the room. She finished her > duties. Then comforted me in the hall putting her arm about my shoulder > > Even writing this, creates emotional feelings beyond anything I've > ever experienced in my career. Wars, destroyed body parts and many > other horrible situations! Never again! > > Dr. ted. :-( > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >