Studies have indicated that photographers are more susceptible than other correspondents not only to physical harm but also to the negative emotional impact of war coverage because of their proximity to danger and the reprocessing of troubling images during editing. One explanation: To capture their subjects in harrowing situations, photographers have to focus on getting “the shot” and not on the human instinct to assist people in danger. However, veteran photojournalist Steve Connors says he observed more reporters than photographers upset by what they witnessed in battle. The former British soldier theorizes that the reflection and writing stages required of reporters may be more troubling than what photographers encounter in their work.
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