Mary Elizabeth Williams can relate to the risks taken by amateur disaster-photogs:
In the midst of a crisis, there’s a deep human need to share our stories. We want to see, we want to show. I’ve gasped at the already iconic images from the storm, and been amazed and saddened and relieved by the pictures my friends have posted on their Facebook pages of the scenes from their home fronts. I participated in it too.
I believe – and I still do – in the power of documenting experience. And yes, that includes the ubiquitous jazzed-up Instagram of a flower or a dog or some clouds. I also believe in not being an idiot, and know that possessing an app does not give one invincibility. We have become a world full of self-styled photojournalists and storm chasers and the truth is that most of us are woefully underqualified as both.
She adds, "As a police officer standing outside the park ruefully told me this morning, "Common sense isn’t so common." At least one of the New Yorkers killed by Sandy was in the process of taking photos.
The Dish 