Ethics in Photography

I am having trouble logging to blogspot, probably my inability to sign in and comment on everyone's blogs competently. The lesson on ethics in photograpy were very interesting. The lesson regarding Kevin Carter's picture winning a Pulitzer Prize, then committing suicide, bring to mind a very important lesson to us all: What matters in life? Dawn says she takes pictures of all her students. A picture is a snapshot in time. It doesn't lie and when looking back, it is there to remember. In looking back we have a reality check in how quickly time passes. How many times have we had a family picture, or group of friends in a picture to look back and see how many things have changed for the subjects in the photo? The memories and pictures become precious.
I think Kevin's dilemna came when he took the most dramatic photo of a child close to starvation with a vulture looming when that defined his career. Then the questions arise about what was done for that child in that photo and it became aware he did nothing to assist that child, yet profited greatly from the situation. The reality that he did nothing became known throughout the world. Did he commit suicide because he did nothing to help the child or that his notoriety became known for his lack of regard, in spite of realizing the dramatic context of this picture?
Portfolios encouraged by our government during the Depression allowed President Roosevelt to enact the many programs that helped pull our country through a dark time, and gave us images that still define the time and situation. A picture is worth a thousand words. We are perceptively visual and this art form touches our minds and souls. It is with this awareness, and better understanding of issues and ethics that make us more aware of the power of the pictures we take. May we never take a picture that tortures our soul for egotistical gain at the expense of others. I hope I am not violating any copyright laws with posting this picture...