A moment in time

Boston is shocking.

I looked at the images this morning in disbelief. This image captures a pivotal moment.

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© John Tlumacki The Boston Globe

I was amazed later on today to see this image by David L Ryan in another set and apparently showing John Tlumacki, The Boston Globe photographer making the image above, captured at almost the exact moment the shutter was pressed, and just as the second blast occurred.

blast

© David L. Ryan Boston Globe Staff

 

Author — John Macpherson

John MacPherson was born and lives in the Scottish Highlands. He trained as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards, before completing an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and then qualified as a Social Worker in Disability Services. Along the way he has cooked on canal barges, trained as an Alpine Ski Leader & worked as an Instructor for Skiers with disabilities, been a canoe instructor, and tutor of night classes in carpentry, stained glass design and manufacture, and archery. He has travelled extensively on various continents, undertaking solo trips by bicycle, or motorcycle. He has had narrow escapes from an ambush by terrorists, been hit by lightning, caught in an erupting volcano, trapped in a mobile home by a tornado, kidnapped by a dog's hairdresser, rammed by a basking shark and was once bitten by a wild otter. He has combined all this with professional photography, which he has practised for over 35 years. He teaches photography and acts as a photography guide & tutor in the UK and abroad. His biggest challenge is keeping his 30 year old Land Rover 110 on the road. He loves telling and hearing stories.

Discussion (5 Comments)

  1. njwv says:

    Hehe. I posted something similar this morning. I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed this. It’s also interesting to see the two other images of the same scene (the uncropped version of the SI cover and a second Tlumacki shot taken seconds later).

    • I didn’t think I’d be the only one! The SI cover is certainly destined to be an iconic image – the ‘flare’ of bodies and the dark glasses and expressions give it a slightly surreal quality. Sad day.

      • njwv says:

        Yeah. I agree that the image of the cops and the fallen runner will become iconic. I’m just struck at how different the photos are depending on the crop or timing. And I’m interested to see what reading/version will “win out” over the years.

        • You’re right, and I’d not fully addressed your point. There is a remarkable difference between the two images. Its very interesting how that split second difference can quite fundamentally alter the perception of the scene. Thanks for the full uncropped view – I’d not seen that one. I think its very striking with the colours at each side.

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