Omayra Sanchez: The Eyes Photographed by Frank Fournier
This haunting image shows 13 year old Omayra Sánchez neck-deep in flood water and debris caused by 1985 eruption of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano in Armero, Colombia. Her pasty-white shriveled hands and bloodshot eyes are the result of nearly 60 hours of exposure, having been trapped in the same position since the lahar and melted ice-cap water reached her town. She died a few hours after this image was taken.
The photograph was made by Frank Fournier, a photojournalist, and was almost immediately surrounded by controversy when it was published. Some criticized the photographer for acting like a vulture, preying on the victims with his camera, but Fournier defended his actions saying that he believed it was his duty to report on "the courage and the suffering and the dignity of the little girl". The image, titled the "Agony of Omayra Sánchez", won the World Press Photo in 1985, just one of the haunting images captured by Fournier that day and included in his entry for Spot News stories.
Wikipedia has a good entry about Omayra Sánchez and the photographed captured by Frank Fournier if you want to know more.
A truly amazing image and depressing story and I think he was a prick!
ReplyDeleteIt was his duty, to tell her story.
DeleteThis makes me sad
ReplyDeleteThat is one powerful image...
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see this pic and read the story behind it I feel somewhat uneasy. It's creepy, yet very noble.
ReplyDeleteReally sad and depressing! :(
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaking to read that story, and that is an image that I will never forget.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad :(
ReplyDeleteI find that this photo coaxes a variety of feelings to come forth.
ReplyDeletethat kid is very creepy, i dont think hes human
ReplyDeleteBart. It's not a he. It's a she.
ReplyDeleteBart..She was human and one of the most strong individuals I have ever done research on. I suppose it is creepy seeing images of someone who is near death; but to call her nonhuman shows how well you do under provoking images. She had a name and family who loved her. If you were in her place and someone said they don't think you were human, how would your reaction be?
ReplyDeleteFuck you Bart. This was a very emotional thing for many, and for you to call her that? Fuck you.
ReplyDeleteI think he was referring to the photographer as not human- not Omayra. He was saying that about the photographer due to the fact he's taking pictures of these helpless victims and making fame and money off it. That's how one could look at it from one angle anyways. Ok another angle you could also say he was trying to help by raising awareness.
ReplyDeleteI think he was referring to the photographer as not human- not Omayra. He was saying that about the photographer due to the fact he's taking pictures of these helpless victims and making fame and money off it. That's how one could look at it from one angle anyways. Ok another angle you could also say he was trying to help by raising awareness.
ReplyDeleteNo, he was referring to Omayra, if not, why he said "that kid is very creepy".. that kid, not the photographer.
DeleteI think bart is not human.hahaha
ReplyDeleteSomeone should've climbed into that fckn water, filthy or not, and given her a hug. Her legs might've been stuck and she might've been in serious pain but she looks like she needed a fckn hug T-T
ReplyDelete