News photography: Japan earthquake and tsunami

Nearly two weeks have passed since Japan suffered its worst crisis. I hope Japanese citizens can recover from this historic disaster as soon as possible. At the same time, I am very appreciated for the journalists and photographers to stick to their positions in spite of the dangerous situations.

I once worked as a journalist, so I deeply understand the dilemma journalists always face. On the one hand, they should value their lives for their families. On the other hand, it is very hard to say “no” to their job responsibilities. They always have a dream to take part in every event and spare no efforts to record the history seriously. When I was in TV Station, my tutor, a young girl, persuaded the director to allow her to participate in the rescue during Sichuan Wenchuan Earthquake in China. The moment she arrived at the disaster area, she just wanted to cry — the horrible smell of dead bodies, the mudslides and the continuous aftershocks. It was just the end of the world for her. But she still needed to encourage herself so that she can communicate facts to audience and support victims.

I respect the photographers witnessing the scene of the Japan earthquake. They are not afraid of the dangers and at the same time, they can still integrate their thoughts into their pictures. They capture the thrilling scenes and moved moments, contributing to the memories of the crisis.

People take shelter as a ceiling collapses in a bookstore during an earthquake in Sendai, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. (REUTERS/Kyodo)

Buildings burn after an earthquake near Sendai Airport, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. (REUTERS/KYODO)

A rescue helicopter lowers a man in search of victims along a remote hillside near Kesennuma City on March 15, 2011, days after the area was devastated by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

Evacuees stretch while doing exercise at a makeshift shelter in Minamisanriku, northern Japan, Tuesday, March 15, 2011. (AP Photo/The Yomiuri Shimbun, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto)