ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Every trip that I take with students that goes to Munich, also incorporates a visit to the former concentration camp at Dachau. I do a lot of preparation with the students for this visit. I make sure to mention that Dachau is a memorial and a reminder of man's inhumanity toward man. Photographing is allowed; but I don't like to be that guy who is firing away in burst mode. I suggest, instead, that the students should give thought to what they are photographing and why they are doing it. I always go to one composition that I think is quite powerful. There is a long sculpture of figures trying to climb through a barbed wire fence. It is quite moving; but I never photograph the entire thing. Instead, I make a detail shot where the perspective silhouettes the figures against the sky. A few years ago, during our visit, there was a very dark overcast sky that still had a lot of texture. This time, we had a bright blue sky and full sun. My question is this: The location demands personal reflection and is, of course, a very somber place. How, then, would you photograph such a place or would you even photograph it? This year I came away with two images. The one is of the sculpture and the other one shows a row of trees that were planted by the prisoners.

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repleo Loc: Boston

The first one is powerful and reflects the solemnity it deserves. I think the second one is a bit too 'pleasant' for such a somber place.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

During my first visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial I took a few photos. I found the site to be hugely moving, full of grief - the emotion of the many who were touching the engraved names - and personal to me, both because I was in the Navy at the time of my visit and had joined prior to the war's end, but also had a friend and my stepfather who fought there (but returned).

Erich, your thoughtful topic has me wondering if I would take photos there today. I think not, but is that because I have already experienced the initial impact and now would want a more reflective, personal experience without the camera? Would there be a difference because "then" was over 30 years ago, and now is a totally different pov with older age?

With Dachau I think I would be just too overwhelmed to even consider photographing. But I would not judge you, your students or any other visitors for doing so in a respectful manner. As with any memorial, visitors will vary with age and personal relationship to that particular moment in history, and photographs will be taken for many different reasons.

Regarding the second shot you posted, I have mixed feelings. Is it a testament to human spirit and a celebration of life, or is it a cruel irony? Aside from those feelings, there is no way to know the context without your mentioning. Whereas photo #1, even if I did not know the location, is powerful in both your perspective and inclusion of the sun.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Erich,
Your post and images are especially moving!

As one who has, twice, visited the concentration camp in the neighborhood of Dachau, I concur in your gut reactions, and your ethical concerns, and observations re: documenting scenes at that site of horrid remembrance.

Your image of the sculpture silhouetted against the sun is terribly moving and powerful...and I don’t remember seeing it...I either missed it, or it was added to the site since my last visit in ‘74. Those rows of poplars were, when I was last there, less than half the size of those you pictured and I acutely recall thinking at the time that although they were planted by inmates, it was by labor under duress and a tasteless effort to sanitize the unsanitizable.

Over the years my strongest memories of those visits to Dachau are, strangely, not of the camp and its panoply of real and implied horrors, but of the older people walking the streets outside the camp. Many were , when I saw them, of the age that I am now, and many of them certainly saw the cattlecars of people without hope moving on the railroad spur into the camp...and saw and smelled the smoke from the ovens... and should never be able NOT to recall it all as they walk the pleasant streets of Dachau, their quiet suburb of lovely Munich.

And it was all the result of a people of decent inclinations somehow permitting the ascendance of a racial supremacist autocrat who succeeded in sowing fear of his chosen minorities in the hearts of a populace eager to hear ready excuses and blame-laying for their economic troubles.

How often must the lessons of Munich be re-learned?

At Dachau is a memorial inscribed with the inscription “Nicht weider”(Never again) in several languages....but then ... it could, really, happen anywhere...again...if allowed to.

Of late, I find myself thinking, for good reason, more of it all.

I am glad that the students you shepherd on your visits there have the benefit of your sensitive perspectives.

Dave

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

I think I understand your concerns. Were this a church holding a liturgy, it would be very insensitive and disrespectful to take a photo. However, since this is a public memorial, and since your shot of the reaching people serves as a reminder of what this memorial aims to do, I think it appropriate.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I can see your point. I can also appreciate that those trees would have been important especially because the were planted by the prisoners. Point well taken.
Erich

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

There is no question that no. 1 is the more impactful photo. Now that I have this composition in two very different lighting scenarios, I think I might refrain from taking it again. I also appreciate your comments about the Vietnam Memorial. I think it comes down to everyone making up their own mind; but knowing why or why not they are photographing. So, the second shot seems to be something that is more documentary in nature. Maybe just take a look and keep the camera on the bus. Thanks for adding depth to the discussion by including your thoughts on the Vietnam Memorial so important to many of us.
Erich

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Beautifully said, and it is obvious from your comments that the place does get a hold of you. In respect to the words "nicht wieder" or [never again], it is important to note that you cannot graduate from High School in Germany without taking a class trip to one of these sites. [several of the former concentration camps have been made into memorials].
Erich

repleo Loc: Boston

As an early teen back in the mid 60's, I spent a Summer living with a family in Planegg less than 30 minutes from Dachau. All of the adult folks I interacted with were 'people of decent inclinations'. Occasionally, conversation would steer towards the war. Most of them claimed they never knew what was going on, but I suspect that many had been supporters of Hitler. Although they were fundamentally decent people, they had surrendered their moral compass to his racist retoric. Jews were stripped of their citizenship. As non-citizens it was an easy step to dehumanize them. Once they were dehumanized, who cared what happened to them? ( "I really don't care. Do you?")
I acknowledge that this post is not an appropriate forum to vent on our current political status, but I ask all 'people of decent inclinations' to reflect on what is happening to the dehumanized illegal aliens at our southern border.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thanks Bob. I think I'm exactly of your mind. In the back of the grounds are build a few small chapels. I've never photographed there. I'm sure it is for the reasons you mentioned.
Erich

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

A great shot, Erich. Since we were on a tour time limit, most of my shots are just standard shots - if there can ever be such a thing as a standard shot at Dachau. I can really feel the pain the art work expresses even from your picture's angle. I took one of the gate. I had to wait 15 minutes so there was no one in front of the gate to try to get a feel of how hopeless it must have felt seeing the words "Arbeit macht frei". Everyone on the inside, no one on the outside.

This is a place that must be shown. This place is preserved by the Germany people to show how easy it is to be inhumane to your fellow mankind. To me, I felt it was an honor to be allowed to see and photograph this place. To me, it actually seems more unethical not to photograph and show what this place has to tell the world.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

It is interesting to hear your comments knowing that you have been to the same place. When I visit, I'm always with students. They learn about these places in History class; but being there makes it real. I'm always worried that there will be one or two students who don't treat this place with the reverence it deserves; but I've never had to speak to a single student about inappropriate behavior in this place. Thank you for commenting and thank you for speaking a bit about how you felt the place should be photographed. I've got photos of that gate as well; and you are right, it requires patience to get a good shot of that gate. Thank you.
Erich

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I like the first and the monochrome rendition suits it very well. The 2nd, as someone has pointed out previously looks a little incongruous.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Your first shot has the most impact for me personally, by a mile Erich. As for whether to photograph, absolutely! Surely it is one of the best ways to bring the story home to people. We all need to understand what inhumanity was enacted there and elsewhere. Sadly, it won’t eridicate it but making people aware must help in the long run.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

I think photos should be taken. There are countless people who will never have the opportunity to visit Dachau. Being there, in person, is tremendously moving, and one is not likely to forget the experience. I visited Dachau back in the early 80s, before I was into photography. I can only tell people about it, I cannot show them.