What are some of the most evocative, iconic photographs that for you, inspire the greatest emotion?

Any time I feel weak or troubled, I look at this to put myself into perspective.

This one by Ansel Adams. It’s one of the photographs that inspired me to get into photography.

This is going to take me a while to put together.

The Falling Man by Richard Drew
Flower Power by Bernie Boston
Earthrise by William Anders
Burning Monk by Malcolm Brown (warning: graphic)
Tank Man from Tiananmen Square by Stuart Franklin Magnum
Last Jew in Vinnitsa (a warning goes without saying: every photo I have scene of the Holocaust has made my heart ache – this is just the first one I found while searching. I can’t make myself look at any more right now.)
Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics Love his story :)

There are so many. I wish I had my folder on hand with me at the moment.

This one is pretty intense. This one picture turned a lot of people around who once supported the US involvement in Vietnam.

All powerful images in their own right, thanks. So fascinating to browse through even the most abhorrent of photographs. This one stands out for me from the moment I first saw it as a child.The image had me frozen & engaged at the same time.

@ucme- Did you click on my link?

@AstroChuck Indeed I did young young man! I was doing mine at the same time as you…....Never mind, shows we can agree sometimes :¬)

I’ve read that the V-J Day Times Square kiss was staged, but I don’t care—I love it.

This one broke my heart. There was no way to save her, and she knew it. Imagine being 12 and knowing your time was up.

@AstroChuck and @ucme You might appreciate this link (You will have to click on the Pulitzer Prize Photographs Gallery and the photo.) It provides a video interview with the man who shot the famous photo.

@Pied_Pfeffer Fascinating, I never knew that. Puts a whole new angle on how I view the photo. Remains provocative & disturbing however. Thanks for that.

If anyone ever makes it to Washington, D.C., be sure to take time to visit the Newseum. It has most of the photos posted above there, along with their history. @ucme That’s how I found the link.

This one may not count, as it’s obviously doctored, but I love the meaning conveyed by it. (ps – I have no idea who shirley is)

Smiling people at a 1930 lynching in Indiana. (caution, disturbing photo).

I was born in Indiana. This happened in my parents’ lifetime. I may have met someone in the photo. I have a pretty good, safe life. But we are always a step away from descending into savagery.

This one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TrangBang.jpg has always haunted me.
This is a wonderful thread @ucme , thank you for starting this.

@JilltheTooth Yeah another disturbing but no less fascinating image. It’s a subject that has always enthralled, I suppose I have my moments…..it won’t last long, probably :¬)

@JilltheTooth That girl now lives in Canada, has two kids and has a foundation helping child victims of war. She is a real-life hero.

http://www.kimfoundation.com/

@jaytkay : Thanks for the link, I’ve been sporadically following her story over the years. I was 18 when the pic first appeared, and had lost friends in Nam and was horrified by the scope of the whole thing.

Another of the most distubing photos ever.

@syz That’s a new one on me. What’s the background to this?

Wait, when did this turn into only disturbing (albeit iconic and emotional) photos?

does kinda seem to have gone down that route. Still it’s all good

Just to redress the balance somewhat. Here’s another one of my favourites. Although I am of course biased :¬)

thanks @ucme :-)

@harple =¬)

Oh & not forgetting the divine….... ;¬}

Hot chicks.

@ratboy : Laughing! Fabulous!

@ratboy Diane Arbus is awesome

@syz Yeah, err….thanks for that!

Actually, when I learned that these photos were all taken by Richard Avedon, I was amazed. I think for portraiture and fashion, he was one of the undisputed masters.

One of my few regrets (as if it would’ve ever happened to me, but whatever) is that I never got to sit for him.

Michael Jordan
Trinity test
Ali
Tour de France smokers
Arnold Schwarzenegger

The Jordan poster still mesmerizes me two decades on. The left hand. His left hand is the most beautiful thing. The jump is astounding, yes, but I can look at the poster for hours because each person in the audience has a unique look. Every single person in that picture is looking at Michael Jordan. It is awesome.

Steerage by Alfred Stieglitz
not sure if this link will work, hope so
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58603786@N07/5376837604/