The Falling Soldier by Robert Capa (1936) Story behind perhaps the most well known war photograph

you know that this capa's picture is probably composed of a dead person? He probably built that picture, is was explained in a paris exposition

I’m going to go with Stagged

I would have expected this video to receive more comments ... 😌

I'm a very lucky person. I got to study at the ICP through NYU when Cornell Capa was still alive. I've seen, held these contact sheets in hand. I do think there is a staging element involved. Was it good journalism and was the stage just put in front of you or was it just acted out? I really can not say. And the controversy that surrounds the Cappa's right now I think has some basis in fact.

So the situation was that Capa and soldiers were inside a trench being constantly shot by a machine gun somewhere far.
There are two theories for how the picture happened:

A) Capa ordered a soldier to get out of the trench and pose to take a picture.

B) The soldiers were preparing to charge and Capa just wanted to take pictures of the valiant charge.

Sometimes things are not as complicated as people may theorize. I believe in option B and and respect the soldiers courage, not stupidity.

Thank you! Great!

For me, it continues to be a great photo, I believe it is candid, it has had a profound impact on me, watch any war movie and it always involves people dying but in the arms of their brothers. This photo is so impactful because in truth may people die alone in war, the negative space, the isolation, captured on a hillside amplifies this isolation. This mans name is unknown to us, but his image is not.

I have always believed it is a candid shot of a dying man. A lucky shot of an unlucky shooting.

It is a fake. It can't be a "masterpiece" if the thing is staged. Capa was never forthcoming when people at the time were questioning its authenticity. It has pretty much been established the photo is a fake as in staged, and it was a dirty thing for Capa to do.

Why didnt you include a map to the original place where the photo was taken? I't about 30miles far away than the one which he stated.

K so how many of us are here because of Life is Stranger Easter Eggs?..

This photo is a famous fake. Looking for ANDO GILARDI "Social History of the Photograph" (Italy); his discover the original rolls of this sequence... is easy. Capa rest a great master.

Thank you for the deeper background to this picture. I've just finished watching parts one and two of "The Reign of Franco - Spain's Forgotten Dictatorship | Documentary" on the 'criminals and crime fighters' channel and was really interested when this came up in topic.

Little wonder it is famous. Printed in Life alone and quiet unique.
If one believes it is genuine it has more impact and at the time Life was very credible and trusted unlike the media of today. It is a case of who knows? Thanks and Cheers

Regardless of whether or not the picture is staged or real, I read " blood and champagne" and I found Capa to be a genius. He took photos on the front lines among fire and put himself in harms way for his craft . He solely created his image as a professional photographer ( when he was actually not ), became famous and thus created a photography company in his name in new York.