Eddie Adams was a famous photographer; he is commonly associated with his photographic portrayal of the Vietnam War. The photograph entitled, “General holstering gun after execution, Saigon,1968” depicts Saigon during the height of the Vietnam War. The appalling photograph, of the Chief of Police shooting a member of the Vietcong in the head, appeared immediately in newspapers and magazines world-wide.1
Considering the photograph depicts a dead victim of violence, some may accuse the photographer, in this case, Eddie Adams, of being insensitive. The photographer applied categorical imperative; the brutality and causalities of war had to be photographed. Utilitarianism was also exercised in the decision to publish the photograph.2 Although the picture displays ethical transgressions, it has been widely credited with turning American attitudes against the Vietnam War.
1 Margot Adler, “The Vietnam War, Through Eddie Adams’ Lens,” NPR.org, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102112403 (accessed April 27, 2011).
2 Paul Martin Lester, Visual Communication: Images with Messages (Belmont: Thompson Wadsworth, 2005), 115-116.
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