I believe Capa’s photo of the fallen solider is not staged because it is possible for the solider to get shot while Capa takes a picture of him since he is out in the open while the other soldiers are hiding. At first, I thought this photo was staged because it doesn’t show where he got shot but after seeing a photo of his position in the war, I believe it is not staged. I find Whelan’s argument convincing because he also provided photos to prove his point. In my opinion, I don’t think authenticity matters because every photo is unique in its own way, doesn’t matter if it’s authentic or not.

Loyalist Militiaman at the Moment of Death, Cerro Muriano, September 5, 1936

Robert Capa’s photograph of a Falling Soldier raises questions to the authenticity of the photograph.  The photograph of a falling solider looks staged to me, because a lot of elements in this picture look too perfect, or not detailed enough.  The position when the solider fell does not appear to be a natural position, rather, it looks like he was in an ‘I’m ready to fall’ pose.  If the solider is getting shot at during this exact moment, the view does not hint at where the bullet hit, nor is there a detailed information about the picture.  There was talk about gathering soldiers to take a posed photograph.  Because taking pictures in open fire is dangerous, it is the reason why war photography is a really hard field to tackle.  I think Robert Capa’s works are very commendable, but whether or not his photographs are an accurate depiction of times of war.  Also, whether or not his photographs represent a wartime masterpiece or they are staged war photographs, only he would know the truth.

It is hard to know if what we are shown is authentic or not.  If we are not a primary witness, we don’t know what happened. It is the same as listening to an oral tale.  The photographer is a primary witness, that we know, because the photographer is at the scene to take the pictures.  So when seeing photographs, people tend to think it is real, that the event did happen without a doubt, as it is.  But because things are captured by one person, the photographer, they can easily fabricate the event, and tamper with their own work.  People would not know the truth unless they are told, or until they are proven right or wrong.  Having a camera is a powerful weapon and tool to capture the truth.  Now that I think back on the pictures, I realize that I question the authenticity of how much was the actual truth and how much was staged, like a photoshoot.

As I read Whelan’s argument, overall I think the photograph “Falling Soldier” is not staged, but I think he was trying to set up a stage though. The argument was very convincing. I do not want to say the entire photograph faked, but I think Capa was trying to set up a stage at that moment, but unfortunately, the soldier got a bullet in his head right before he tried to do some pose. I think that was real and that moment was not a fake and staged. Since there is no any distinct evidence of the truth, we cannot have an argument that is staged or not. And since Capa is already gone and no one can really tell the truth, why do people hurting his reputation?

He was a great photographer, loved war photo, and tried to show people the truth of the war. As that facts, he deserves the reputation already and to be respectful.

In addition, I do think authenticity is important. Because of one photo, it can change the point of view and bring the people confusion and distortion of the truth.

I like to have an example of staged photograph, which is “Alexander Gardner, Home of a Rebel Sharpshooter, July 1863”. This Gardner’s photo is known as staged photo, and somehow I can sense Capa’s photograph seems similar. I think Capa was trying to do somewhat similar with this photograph.