Robert Capa, Falling Soldier.

Robert Capa, Falling Soldier.

I came across this image in one of my photography lessons and it has stuck in my mind ever since. Apparently this picture was taken as this solider was about to light his cigarette but then got shot as the picture was being taken. This is amazing timing of a photo and the fact it is not blurred and the crisp lines is so fascinating. You can imagine the feelings of the time of this photo.  Two men just sitting there, about to have a cigarette when suddenly bang! And then there was one. I find this very powerful and the emotions are overwhelming.

            However there are allegations on this photo that it is staged. This photo was supposedly taken on September 5^th, 1936 during the Civil War and the man was identified as Federico Borell Garcia. The full title of this image is Loyalist Militiaman at the Moment of Death, Cerro Muriano, and September 5^th, 1936. Anyway this picture has been called staged from the beginning but it was believed to be a true documentary image until the 1970’s. Now recent research shows that it most likely was staged.  It was definitely not taken in Cerro Muriano but it was taken about 30 miles away in Espejo. However Federico Garcia was known to of been shot in Cerro Muriano while being sheltered by a tree so who this man in the photo is still a mystery.  I find this a very eye-catching and shocking as a photo however I think the message it is getting across is very strong and made a lot of people open their eyes.