cole thompson photography
classic images in black & white

The Ghosts of Auschwitz and Birkenau
 
 
 
( Auschwitz gas chamber)
 
What can be said about Auschwitz and Birkenau that hasn't already
been said? What can be photographed at those sacred places that
hasn't already been photographed?
 
As I thought about what had occurred there I wondered how any
human could do such inhumane things, and then I recalled
"The Mysterious Stranger" by Mark Twain.  In this story a young
boy named Seppi is talking to Satan about a man who had brutally
beaten his dog.  Seppi declared that this man's actions were
inhumane and Satan responded:

"No, it wasn't Seppi; it was human--quite distinctly human."

Satan points out that no other animal would
treat another this way...except humans.
 
I had not intended to photograph during my tour of the camps but
after being there a few minutes, I felt compelled. With every step
I wondered about the people whose feet had walked in exactly the same
footsteps. I wondered if their spirits still lingered there today.

And so I photographed ghosts.

 

Click here to view images

           

           

           

           

Watch the YouTube Video of The Ghosts of Auschwitz and Birkenau

Read the March 2009 B&W Magazine Article

Learn More About "The Ghosts of Auschwitz and Birkenau" folio

Back          Home        Blog

Portfolios         About         Contact         Resume         Purchase         Links         Comments         Wallpaper         Newsletter