War Photography // Robert Capa

An important aspect of documentary photography is the documenting of war.

Robert Capa became famous when he captured the ultimate in decisive moments - the death of a Spanish Civil War soldier cut down by a bullet in 1936.


'The fallen soldier'


When Civil War became World War, in 1939, Capa brought fame, heroism, and charisma to the war photographer. Working for Life Magazine he recorded that the first rule of photojournalism was 'to get close' and the second, 'to get closer.' It earned him a reputation as the world's greatest war photographer and its first real celebrity.
(BBC genius of photography)

Many has wondered if this picture is actually true or not - weither the soldier is dying in the moment the photograph is taken ?

Richard Whelan, , has written an essay claiming to prove that the
'Falling soldier' picture is true

World War II
When soldiers of the 16th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division landed at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, photographer Robert Capa , in the employ of LIFE magazine, was among them.





© Robert Capa, fair use under United States copyright law