Capturing Human Emotion in the Face of Devastation

Spokane, Wash. is currently experiencing a severe wildfire season. The Old Trails Fire in northwest Spokane, Washington’s second-largest city, burned through numerous neighborhoods and destroyed hundreds of structures on August 1. Lindsey Wasson, a Seattle-based staff photographer for The Associated Press since 2023, was dispatched to document the aftermath.

Choosing the Right Moment

Lindsey Wasson discussed the significance of a particular photo taken in Spokane during her assignment. She explained her method on how access can be challenging in disaster-stricken areas, with police roadblocks often in place. Despite these obstacles, she started early at a neighborhood identified by Spokane freelancer Young Kwak. The area had a Level 3 evacuation order, but only power company personnel monitored the road entrances, allowing Wasson to enter on foot.

After spending over an hour documenting the devastation, Wasson encountered Miriam and Daniel Sim near the burnt area. The Sims were considering whether to survey their destroyed neighborhood. Wasson asked to accompany them as they descended towards their home. Miriam was emotional as she surveyed the area. Wasson respected her space as Miriam spoke with a loved one over the phone. The photograph in question was captured early in their walk down West Tiffany Avenue, illustrating the complete destruction of houses.

The Technical and Emotional Impact

The photo was taken using a Sony A1 camera with a 16-35mm lens at f/4.5. Wasson highlighted the visual impact of Miriam standing alone in contrast against the backdrop of destruction, dressed in a clean, white outfit. Standard photography guidelines often discourage centering the subject. However, Wasson felt that placing Miriam centrally, framed by the symmetry of the sidewalk, conveyed the scene’s intensity.

Initially, a different version of the photo was considered, where Miriam was covering her face. However, Wasson believed that capturing Miriam as she absorbed the scene was more evocative. Miriam reflected on her neighborhood, likening it to a war zone and noting there was nothing left to save. Daniel Sim, her husband, pondered whether they should rebuild at their age. The Sims, who moved to America in the ’90s from the Philippines, where Miriam was a nurse and Daniel a doctor, had resided in their Spokane home since 2005.

Wasson emphasized the need to depict the scale of destruction in disaster coverage, while also showcasing the human impact and emotional toll.