Very sad and powerful indeed. When is a PJ a voyeur? Can you work as a PJ and not lose a level of involvement with the people you cover? Could you stand and take a photo and not rush to help? Suffering on this scale makes these questions very hard for me to answer and feel very conflicted about photography's and a PJ's role.

Wow those are some powerful images... I donated through my ice hockey team here in South Korea. We did some tournament fundraisers in the past through Habitat For Humanity.

https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/donate

Lots of sites you can use though like redcross.

I think this is one tragic event that the photographers are portraying us with the true perspective of the disaster. Unlike my American TV Networks giving us their sensationalize filming efforts to gain ratings.

I've found that the WSJ also has its phohtographers out there.
http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/

Unlike The Big Picture, they don't warn about the more grotesque pictures and there are plenty.

NikoDoby said:
I hope you change your mind about preferring doom & gloom stuff now alpha :^(

I never said I prefer it, it's just that's what's important.

The situation there is devastating. I cannot believe the extremes of the damage, both to life and the city.

The photojournalists have done their jobs well though.

Wow, now that the "trained" photojournalist have arrived we are getting some very graphic images. I hope you change your mind about preferring doom & gloom stuff now alpha :^(

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/haiti_48_hours_later.html

the original link has been updated with new photos too so you might want to look through it again. Though I think there is enough doom & gloom images now, but this is the reality of the situation.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html

adamz said:
Angelina & Bratt donated $1000000, that's more than my government gave

You mean Niko ;^)

NikoDoby said:
The organization has it so that you can donate $5 dollars by simply texting.

How does that work? I saw it on the Red Cross website too, but not having a cellphone I don't understand concepts like that...

I'm more glad to know that some celebs put some money on haiti - Angelina & Bratt donated $1000000, that's more than my government gave

NikoDoby said:
BE CAREFUL OF SCAMS!!! The FBI is already warning of FAKE websites and orginizations collecting aid!

Is it not amassing the scum that we have living on this planet

Pete

NikoDoby said:
The Redcross use to do that Bland. They got in a lot of trouble because of that in the past and have changed the way they distribute $$$ for specific disasters.

I wonder if it was the ordeal with Katrina that brought that on?

Glad to see Taiwan and Germany being the first there (again) with their national rescue efforts.

The Redcross use to do that Bland. They got in a lot of trouble because of that in the past and have changed the way they distribute $$$ for specific disasters.

Two other organizations that are very good during disasters like this are:

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/

http://www.unicefusa.org/

http://www.yele.org/ is singer Wyclef's organization that was already provided Haitians with help before the Earthquake. The organization has it so that you can donate $5 dollars by simply texting.

BE CAREFUL OF SCAMS!!! The FBI is already warning of FAKE websites and orginizations collecting aid!

it says that the money will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti

admin said:
Re Haiti - what is the best organization to make a donation - I am thinking the Red Cross. I don't see what else we can do. Anyone got a better charity?

http://www.redcross.org/

The Red Cross is the best organization but know that your money isn't earmarked for any certain disaster.

But not having it earmarked is better in my eyes because they will be using the money wisely to help in Haiti and then can use the remainder of the money elsewhere.

how you can help: http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/01/13/haiti.earthquake.how.to.help/index.html

Red Cross:
The American Red Cross' primary focus during the initial response of an emergency is feeding, sheltering and supplying any other basic needs. To donate: Go to RedCross.org, hit donate now button at top and then International Response Fund. You also can text "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the International Response Fund. The money will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti. Or call 1-800-Red-Cross.

NikoDoby said:
*facepalm* the point is you don't have to be a "trained" photojournalist to cover this story. If Godzilla started fighting King Kong in your neighborhood who do you think is going to get photos of it first? You or a Boston Globe photographer?

I knew of a guy whose stock photo got picked by Time magazine as it's cover and they only paid him a one time fee of $20 or $30 dollars! Not joking! His picture was on thousands of magazines yet how is he suppose to live on $20 dollars?

To be honest, not all the photography in the NY Times is all that interesting. Most of the time it's a hit and miss. Sometimes they try to be interesting with a photo and it just falls flat.

Yeah, Haiti really has been hit hard by lots of stuff lately.

I think there were some listed in the comments, but Red Cross sounds the best to me.

Re Haiti - what is the best organization to make a donation - I am thinking the Red Cross. I don't see what else we can do. Anyone got a better charity?

http://www.redcross.org/

Special if you look at picture No 9

Pete

Yep ... the cartoon hit the spot.

You remind me of this:

(Sorry for the humor.)

I hope the photographers weren't doing that. I wouldn't be able to do anything like that anyway.

alphanikonrex said:
BTW check out the comments, like this one:

taking pictures is as important as any direct rescue effort. it generates global awareness which leads to large scale action through donations of time and money....
thank you to those working to document and share what is happening with the rest of the world. you're efforts are appreciated.

Ahem. That's my argument for photojournalists.

Looking at the pictures I don't see happiness in the eyes of the victims who are being photographed. Rather sadness that there are people who instead of helping those stuck under the rubble would prioritise taking a shot of it and most probably moving on to get another "photo-journalistic" shot. To be honest, if I were on the receiving end of such a paparazzi in circumstances like those in Haiti, I really wouldn't hesitate to use 2-by-4 on him (provided I'm not stuck under rubble).

You raise the awareness by taking general shots and perhaps an emotional one of someone weeping for a loved one but taking a shot of someone stuck under rubble pleading for help ... that is as mean as you can get. Well maybe meaner would be a news crew asking how/what the person stuck was feeling.

OK, I gotcha. Yeah, you're right :^(

*facepalm* the point is you don't have to be a "trained" photojournalist to cover this story. If Godzilla started fighting King Kong in your neighborhood who do you think is going to get photos of it first? You or a Boston Globe photographer?

I knew of a guy whose stock photo got picked by Time magazine as it's cover and they only paid him a one time fee of $20 or $30 dollars! Not joking! His picture was on thousands of magazines yet how is he suppose to live on $20 dollars?

Yes, but I think they would let you know about that. This photo says "REUTERS/Nabil Hijjawi via Your View. How many other images say that from REUTERS for example?

No, anyone can have their photo get picked up by a news agency or wire. Doesn't mean they are a "trained" photojournalist.

http://www.ireport.com/ir-topic-stories.jspa?topicId=381090

If they really like your photo it goes out everywhere and you get paid like $5 dollars.