The Perfect Picture: A Philosophical Analysis of Ethics in Photography

This essay analyzes Alexander Thom's 'The Perfect Picture,' exploring the central ethical dilemma faced by a police photographer at a tragic crime scene. The photographer, witnessing the profound grief of a grandfather who accidentally killed his granddaughter, must decide whether to capture a potentially award-winning photograph or respect the man's suffering. The essay delves into the conflict between the photographer's professional duty and his human empathy, examining the tension between the value of a powerful news photo and the sanctity of the grandfather's grief. The analysis discusses the perspectives of the photographer, his colleagues, and the broader implications of photojournalism ethics, ultimately questioning whether humanity or professional obligations should take precedence in such sensitive situations. The essay highlights the emotional impact of the scene on the photographer, his internal struggle, and the long-term consequences of his decision, emphasizing the broader societal implications of depicting human suffering for public consumption.

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Introduction
It is solely the decision of a human being whether he will take use the grief of others for
business purpose and make profit from their agony or to walk off from doing this. There are
times in life, when man have to choose between humanity and business. The photographer let the
opportunity of getting an award winning news photo go only to respect the grief of the morning
grandfather. However, his friends, colleagues and seniors would have would have disagreed with
him. The question lies in this contradiction of mentality with the photographer and others. It is
important to understand if the act of the photographer is correct or the professionalism, which
would have made him take the picture.
Is humanity greater?
The police news photographer was not ready to visit the crime scene as he was shaken
from inside by the accident. An old man accidentally ran over his young granddaughter with his
car, as he was unaware of the fact that the toddler is awaken and standing there. He could
understand the turmoil of grief and unbelievable incident that took the life of his beloved
granddaughter. The photographer can see how brief stricken was the old man as he was telling
what happened even when nobody is accusing him for the accident. This was a time, when the
family and especially the old grandfather was trying to overcome the initial shock of the fatal
accident. This was a moment of pure grief and sorrow. As a photographer for police
investigation, it was his duty to take photos of the crime scene, the house and the swaddled body
of the toddler. However, the pain of the grandfather was so overwhelming that it overshadowed
the professionalism of a police photographer who has to take photos of even the worst crimes

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ever. Even though he was aware of the fact that morning of the grandfather over the dead body
of his little granddaughter could have created the best photo in the next day newspaper he cannot
click the shutter to take it. It is evident from his own words, “I don’t know how many seconds I
stood there, unable to snap that shutter. I was keenly aware of the powerful storytelling value that
photo would have, and my professional conscience told me to take it. Yet I couldn’t make my
hand fire that flashbulb and intrude on the poor man’s island of grief” (Thom, Alexander). It
was the site of pure grief of the grandfather, that aroused over the professionalism of the
photographer.
Is professionalism greater?
It was his duty to have a sound grip on his emotions and perform his duty as a
professional photographer. The police photographer is responsible for his job. His seniors and
others will appraise everything, which benefits his job. This is considered as professionalism and
in work place; it is appraised even above humanity. A police photographer have to fire the
shutter to capture pictorial evidence of the most vicious crime scenes to help in police
investigation and newspaper news. However, in this present scenario, the case was all about an
accident, which tore the world of a small yet happy family into pieces of paper. In comparison
with criminal cases, this is a very common case of unintentional mistake by a very common old
man. The cost of this accident is the life of the toddler who was the apple of his grandfather’s
eyes. The emotional downfall of the grandfather is so overwhelming that it shadowed the
intensity of all other things present in that place. However, the photographer should not be
attached to the condition, emotions, and think about his career only. Missing a chance of

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capturing a prize-winning photo can hamper his job prospects and career goals. This is not an
accuse for any senior or colleague of his.
“Every day, on the newscasts and in papers, we see pictures of people in extreme
conditions of grief and despair. Human suffering has become a spectator sport. And sometimes,
as I’m watching news films, I remember that day” (Thom, Alexander). This proves that the grief
of the old man had effected even the deepest corner of his heart. The photographer was
overwhelmed by the sorrow he felt in that house that day and left an “once-in-a-lifetime” chance
of capturing a price-winning photo. However, he knew this is not good for his career aspects. He
listened to his heart and did not tried to interrupt the morning grandfather by scarifying his
chances. This may be not a brilliant idea in professional view however; in humanitarian ground
he is successful.

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References
Thom, Alexander “ The Perfect Picture”.