Marie Ward – Nick Ut Interview

One of our year 1 students, Marie Ward recently produced an impressive essay for the Study Skills module in which she deconstructed a historical photographic image, using in-depth analysis. Marie gathered primary evidence from Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Nick UT, creator of the ‘Napalm Girl’ image, to inform her essay. Nick Ut is a Vietnamese American photographer for the Associated Press who works out of Los Angeles.

Napalm Girl (1972) - Nick UT / Associated Press (AP)

Marie asked photographer Nick UT about his feelings on the image ‘Napalm Girl’. This iconic image was taken in 1972, near Trảng Bàng after a Vietnam Air Force napalm attack. The image depicts children running from the attack, with the main focus, young girl, Kim Phúc, centre left, running down the road naked.

Nick UT told Marie that he thought that the iconic image he had taken was very sad but that he felt vindicated that it helped Kim Phúc to stay alive and it made people realise that war was not the answer.

He explained that as a professional documentary photographer he was always ready to take that all-important shot….

“We saw the bombs fall and we knew people were inside. Shooting the war prepared me for this event. There are no regrets and I only look forward and find the positive in the work we do.”

Nick UT - Vietnamese American photographer for the Associated Press (AP)