Furthermore, the date of the photograph is illustrative: the city had been submerged for days, and federal disaster relief in the form of food and other types of assistance had not yet arrived. The food would have spoiled had it not been consumed, given that the electricity of the city was not functioning. Just like a print journalist, a photographer has the responsibility to consider the larger social history of the image he or she is creating, as well as the personal history of the subject. The image of young black men as criminals and looters is unfortunately reinforced through fictional television programs as well as on the news: taking particular care to evaluate how the image of the 'looter' might be perceived is an ethical imperative...

Photos can truth claims equally -- if not more -- broad and sweeping as those made by the print media.
Works Cited

"Hurricane Katrina and the 'Two-Photo Controversy.'" Media Awareness. Teachable Moments.

2010.

http://www.media-

awareness.ca/english/resources/educational/teachable_moments/katrina_2_photo.cfm

Kinney, Aaron. "Looting' or 'finding?' Salon.com. September 1, 2005.

April 26, 2010.

http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/09/01/photo_controversy/index.html

Lester, Paul Martin. Photojournalism an Ethical Approach. 1999