Horst Faas, the photographer whose images defined the Vietnam War, dies aged 79
Friday 11 May 2012
VIEW GALLERY
Related articles
Horst Faas, a prize-winning combat photographer who changed the way photojournalists covered conflict, has died aged 79.
Born in Berlin, Faas joined The Associated Press in 1956 and made his name as chief photographer for South Asia based in Saigon.
He held the position from 1962 to 1974 - and was responsible for some of the most memorable and shocking pictures from the Vietnam war.
He won two Pulitzer Prizes for his work as well as organising the Associated Press presence in the South Asia region.
As well as covering the fighting, during his time in Saigon he also recruited new talent from among the foreign and Vietnamese freelancers, resulting in the so-called 'Horst's Army' of young photojournalists.
Among his top proteges was Huynh Thanh My, an actor turned photographer who in 1965 became one of four AP staffers and one of two South Vietnamese among more than 70 journalists killed in the 15-year war.
Faas took thousands of images of the Vietnam war and famously pressed controversial photographs on an often reluctant American press and public.
Striking, and now famous photographs such as the small girl running down a road attempting to escape a US napalm bomb, and an image of a man being executed by a Vietnamese officer were produced by Faas's office and were central to raising American awareness of the war and fostering anti-war sentiment.
In 1976, Faas relocated to London as AP's senior photo editor for Europe, until he retired from the news agency in 2004.
The late New York Times correspondent, David Halberstam - who shared a Saigon villa with Faas, once said of him, “I don’t think anyone stayed longer, took more risks or showed greater devotion to his work and his colleagues. I think of him as nothing less than a genius.”
-
Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
-
Strewth mate. Aussies wave goodbye to Britain as it becomes too pricey to stay
-
World news in pictures
-
X marks the spot: The find that could rewrite Australian history
-
At least 91 feared dead including 20 children as massive tornado rips through Oklahoma
- 1 Tottenham to smash pay scale with £150,000-a-week contract in attempt to tie Gareth Bale to club
- 2 Austerity has hardened the nation's heart
- 3 Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
- 4 Be more professional! GCHQ staff rapped as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange reveals messages that he says point to 'fit up'
- 5 Top A&E doctors warn: 'We cannot guarantee safe care for patients anymore'
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
iJobs Media
PHP/ Drupal Developer
£35000 - £45000 per annum + Bens: Progressive Recruitment: Drupal/PHP Develope...
Work experience, student channel, Independent digital
Travel and lunch expenses: ESI Media: Rare work experience opportunity for asp...
Senior Site Manager - Processing
£28000 - £36000 Per Annum: The Green Recruitment Company: The Green Recruitmen...
Senior Agile Java Developer
£350 - £400 per day: Progressive Recruitment: Agile Java Developer London
Day In a Page
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'







Comments