World Press Photo award for oil spill photographer
Blogpost by JulietteH
Earlier today, we heard that Greenpeace-commissioned photographer Lu Guang has received 3rd place for “spot news stories” at the prestigious World Press Photo for his portrayal of last July’s Dalian oil spill in northeastern China. While we are in many ways delighted – as far as we can tell, this is the first time in the competition’s history that an award for spot news (breaking, or unexpected news) was given to a non-governmental organisation – we are also deeply saddened by what those photos portray.
World Press Photo 2011 - Spot News 3rd Prize Stories
20 July 2010 - China. Two oil firefighters Zhang Liang and Han Xiaoxiong, attempt to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations in Dalian. One of the men, Zhang Liang, later drowned in the oily water, despite desperate efforts to rescue both workers. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. An oil firefighter, Zhang Liang, attempts to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations in Dalian. Zhang Liang later drowned in the oily water, despite desperate efforts to rescue him. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. Two oil firefighters Zhang Liang (R) and Han Xiaoxiong (L), attempt to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations in Dalian. One of the men, Zhang Liang, later drowned in the oily water, despite desperate efforts to rescue both workers. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. A man attempts to rescue two oil firefighters, Zhang Liang and Han Xiaoxiong, struggling in thick oil slick. One man Zhang Liang (L) later died as he drowned in the thick oil. The workers ran into trouble as they were attempting to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. An oil firefighter worker, Han Xiaoxiong, is rescued after been submerged underneath a thick oil slick. Another firefighter, Zhang Liang, died during this incident. The workers ran into trouble as they were attempting to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. Firefighter worker Zhang Liang drowns in oil as a man attempts to rescue him and his colleague, Han Xiaoxiong, who raises Zhang Liang’s hand out of the water surface. The workers ran into trouble as they were attempting to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. Firefighter worker Zhang Liang drowns in oil as a man attempts to rescue him and his colleague, Han Xiaoxiong, who raises Zhang Liang’s hand out of the water surface. The workers ran into trouble as they were attempting to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. An oil firefighter worker, Han Xiaoxiong, is rescued after been submerged underneath a thick oil slick. Another firefighter, Zhang Liang, died during this incident. The workers ran into trouble as they were attempting to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. An oil firefighter worker, Han Xiaoxiong, is rescued after been submerged underneath a thick oil slick. Another firefighter, Zhang Liang, died during this incident. The workers ran into trouble as they were attempting to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
20 July 2010 - China. An oil firefighter worker, Han Xiaoxiong, is rescued after been submerged underneath a thick oil slick. Another firefighter, Zhang Liang, died during this incident. The workers ran into trouble as they were attempting to fix an underwater pump during oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
24 July 2010 - China. Family, friends and local people attend the funeral of firefighter, Zhang Liang (25) who was killed during the Dalian oil spill cleanup on the 20th July. Zhang Liang ran into trouble as he attempted to fix an underwater pump during the oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
24 July 2010 - China. A close colleague of firefighter Zhang Liang grieves at his funeral. Family, friends and local people attend the funeral of firefighter, Zhang Liang (25) who was killed during the Dalian oil spill cleanup on the 20th July. Zhang Liang ran into trouble as he attempted to fix an underwater pump during the oil spill cleanup operations. The spill was caused by a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port.
© Lu Guang / Greenpeace
The harrowing death of Zhang Liang, a 25-year-old fire fighter who was working to clear a pump during the clean up the Dalian oil spill, is the worst possible reminder of the devastating costs of oil addiction. Thanks to this award, these photos will continue on travelling and remind people everywhere that more than ever, it is time to go beyond oil.
Lu Guang’s photographs are an example of what bearing witness, one of Greenpeace’s core values, is all about. They prove how important it is to show the true cost of environmental destruction; if we know what's happening, then we can change it.
Credit: Green Peace International (www.greenpeace.org)
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