by Bill Frakes
Serving on the jury of the World Press Photo is a huge educational gift. To sit in a room with some of the best minds in photojournalism and just absorb what they have to say about the images flashing across the screen — those very photographs being forever seared into our collective memories — is to be in the best photography classroom in the world. I’ve been part of the jury twice now, and it’s a life and career changing experience.
The World Press judging is an intense conversation which ranges far and wide. It’s an incredibly thoughtful process.
This year, we saw many images from Syria and Gaza. Having worked myself in some tough situations earlier in my career, I thought about the support the photographers had to receive on the ground in order to be in position to make and distribute their work.
When World Press asked me to do the Personal Choice selection of the Review, I turned to Rodrigo Abd of the Associated Press for help in explaining the support he received in Syria."
Here's an excerpt of Bill's explaination why he selected this image:
..."I salute Rodrigo's imae, which brilliantly shows the anguish and clearly presents the danger and despair, while also calling attention to the sacrifice made by the women and men who selflessly give all to tell their story."
