Photography & Vietnam: Opinions please

Karl C wrote in post #4895047
NSFW - GRAPHIC SUBJECT

Do research on this subject. The photo, taken during the Tet Offensive, had an impact on how Americans viewed the war.

Thanks, I already thought about that photo. Cheers for the link.

I don;t have first hand experience, but I've read many times that the famous photo of a young girl ( Phan Thi Kim Phuc) running down a road after her clothes were burned off from Napalm played a significant role in public opinion. That one photo has been attributed with a very large impact indeed.

http://www.vietnamwar.​com/phanthikimphuc.htm

Here's some references that might be of value. I have these books and find them to be very informative, and they also contain some powerful images.

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1202753​717&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1202754​074&sr=1-2

This third reference shows photography of the Vietnam war from the other side. This is a compilation of images taken by North Vietnamese combat photographers and illustrates the connditions they worked under. It might be interesting to include a section on how the North Vietnamese perceptions of the war were shaped by their photographers.

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1202754​135&sr=1-7

I think that it's a very interesting subject. The Vietnam war was a time where the media really gained a lot of influence/power in shaping public opinion. It's one thing to read a story in the paper. It's completely different to have photos/video from the front lines.

Vietnam showed a lot of how ugly and and evil war can be, whereas Desert Storm was the exact opposite, showing how clean (ie. smart bombs, mass surrender of Iraqi soldiers, etc.) a war can be. The images people see on tv and in the papers shapes their views of how war should be, and whether it is right or wrong in a given situation.

I think the Vietnam war was the first or one of the first in which the media reported body counts on a daily or near daily basis. That was probably a significant factor (along with photography and other media) in swaying public opinion.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #4896530
I don;t have first hand experience, but I've read many times that the famous photo of a young girl ( Phan Thi Kim Phuc) running down a road after her clothes were burned off from Napalm played a significant role in public opinion. That one photo has been attributed with a very large impact indeed.

http://www.vietnamwar.​com/phanthikimphuc.htm

JWright wrote in post #4896646
Here's some references that might be of value. I have these books and find them to be very informative, and they also contain some powerful images.

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1202753​717&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1202754​074&sr=1-2

This third reference shows photography of the Vietnam war from the other side. This is a compilation of images taken by North Vietnamese combat photographers and illustrates the connditions they worked under. It might be interesting to include a section on how the North Vietnamese perceptions of the war were shaped by their photographers.

http://www.amazon.com …oks&qid=1202754​135&sr=1-7

Thanks for the links, hopefully can find some of these in the university library now!

braduardo wrote in post #4896691
I think that it's a very interesting subject. The Vietnam war was a time where the media really gained a lot of influence/power in shaping public opinion. It's one thing to read a story in the paper. It's completely different to have photos/video from the front lines.

Vietnam showed a lot of how ugly and and evil war can be, whereas Desert Storm was the exact opposite, showing how clean (ie. smart bombs, mass surrender of Iraqi soldiers, etc.) a war can be. The images people see on tv and in the papers shapes their views of how war should be, and whether it is right or wrong in a given situation.

True, if I do the Gulf conflicts it will be the latter (and current) Iraq war which I compare with. In which the occupation has led to the more ugly aspects being covered.

bacchanal wrote in post #4896767
I think the Vietnam war was the first or one of the first in which the media reported body counts on a daily or near daily basis. That was probably a significant factor (along with photography and other media) in swaying public opinion.

Seems like a big factor, I will read into its impact.

Cheers so far guys.

"I Protest" by David Douglas Duncan, is a good read and great photography book.

NZDoug wrote in post #4897351
"I Protest" by David Douglas Duncan, is a good read and great photography book.

Looks good, if I can get hold of it. May be able via inter library loans hopefully as it's £130 from amazon!

I'm at work now, albeit in my own apartment, so quickly, you might want to look at the influence of still photography in relation with the general media.

TV news anchor Walter Cronkite, who was one of the most trusted figures in the States at that time, had considerable impact on public opinion.

http://www.richmond.ed​u/~ebolt/history398/Cr​onkite_1968.html
(as an example)

adam* wrote in post #4897892
Looks good, if I can get hold of it. May be able via inter library loans hopefully as it's £130 from amazon!

Paperback version from $5.70 used
http://www.amazon.com …id+Douglas+Dunc​an&x=0&y=0

bacchanal wrote in post #4896767
I think the Vietnam war was the first or one of the first in which the media reported body counts on a daily or near daily basis. That was probably a significant factor (along with photography and other media) in swaying public opinion.

I think this is probably a HUGE factor in public perception. In previous wars, with intense bombing runs of cities and such, and massive death tolls, it made the war seem almost surreal and impersonal. These days, with less than 10 deaths per day on average, there are enough to make for a decent news story, but few enough to make the story personal, and put a face on the deceased.

Maybe you can factor in something having to do with the difference in the impact of a photo compared to a number (ie. 500 KIA), or something along that line.

NZDoug wrote in post #4898423
Paperback version from $5.70 used
http://www.amazon.com …id+Douglas+Dunc​an&x=0&y=0

Can get it for $18 from the US. Would you say it's worth it yeah? Obviously even if I don't use it for my dissertation it may be of interest.

Ive had my copy for 30 years and have found it a source of inspiration and truth.
As I mentioned, GREAT shots , all B+W, D-76, pushed TX, Time life lab stuff.
Its a protest book taken by an intelligent human who used photography as his medium.
Its "STRONG".

NZDoug wrote in post #4898670
Ive had my copy for 30 years and have found it a source of inspiration and truth.
As I mentioned, GREAT shots , all B+W, D-76, pushed TX, Time life lab stuff.
Its a protest book taken by an intelligent human who used photography as his medium.
Its "STRONG".

OK, I ordered it thanks. Hopefully it will get here soon considering i've got to buy it from the US! Also hope I don't get stung by tax