Lessons in death and life

by Dave; Judd LaBelle

1993: by Dave LaBelle - 106 pages.

106 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Joy Kidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book, not only for photojournalists but for those of us who aren't. We all will deal with death, but they face it close-up through that lens, then begin to sort out emotions, not only about death but about the ethics of recording it so personally. The author discovered that to determine whether an act is morally proper is to test it by God's law, the law of love. Whether to record and publish any scene of death and dying should be steered by love and respect for those involved, and sharing truth.

The chapters are rich with thoughtful scenes, mulling about guilt, the value of photographing grief, the emotional toll, and leading a balanced life. These are important thoughts for humans to consider.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Every photographer and journalist should read this book. I cried through most of it; the beauty of the words and the soul of the author overcoming me.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw dealings with the heavy side of photojournalism.
Helped me work through some of my own run-ins with photographing death (Fania, Haiti, 2014) as I continue to wrestle with the ethics of storytelling.
Edged me slightly closer to embracing pj as a prong of my career.