"The Shot"

First, before an in depth analysis of this magnificent photograph, I find it important that we understand that this won a Pulitzer Prize for its majesty. Although harsh-looking, this photograph by Eddie Adams can tell so many different stories depending on how you look at it. In this photograph, General Nguyen Ngoc Loan, is seen executing a Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. This photo makes the General look like a terrible and violent person. But what has to be understood, is that this in reality is what war is and was. General Loan is only doing his job. In fact, the Viet Cong in this photograph is about to be executed because he killed American soldiers. Also, it is said that the General took this action after he told one of his men to do it and his soldier was too afraid to do it. After taking this still picture, Adams felt terrible. He’s stated “The general killed the Viet Cong; I killed the general with my camera.” He realized after this photo was taken and published that he ruined the life of this Lt. Colonel.
As far as me wanting this photo published, I suppose it depends on the time and place. If I was for the Vietnam War, I would publish this picture in a magazine, mainly due to the fact that it shows how violent wars can be. I would want this published so we could maybe have soldiers sent back home from overseas. If I was the man doing the execution, I would not want this photo published in any newspapers and/of magazines. Although common in war, this is a violent act that I, even though necessary, would feel terrible about.