Auschwitz II - Birkenau Photo

Photographer’s Note

I took this shot at Auschwitz II - Birkenau. This was the largest concentration camp built during the Holocaust. Auschwitz II is situated close to the town of Oswiecim in Poland. 1,500,000 Jews were killed at Auschwitz II. Most died in the horrific gas cambers but many others were killed by forced labour, starvation, diseases such as typhod and through Nazi brutallity.

This shot was taken close to the infamous railway tracks. The watchtower seen overlooks the male side of the camp. Most of the buildings on the male side were destroyed by the Nazis who tried to hide their crimes or by the Russins who burned some of the barracks to try to stop the spread of disease.

Auschwitz II - Birkenau is a strange place. I do not believe that any photos can capture the size of the camp or the feeling you get when you are there.

jhm has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jhm (82461) 2008-10-23 3:38

Hello Scott,

I want really give a reaction on this picture, I am what elder than you, almost every day busy active with WORLD WAR II.
You took this shot at Auschwitz II - Birkenau, the fog suit excellent toward this image, a period that nobody can forget, a very dark period out of us history.
I want nobody give the blame, I hope only that everyone take his conclusions.
I have after the war people see come back out the camps, incredible!!!
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

alive (926) 2008-10-30 4:06

Olá Scott!
A beautiful photo the black and white of a historical place, but for the worse reasons. The photo has an excellent framing.
Abraço.
luis. (portugal)

CaesarP (3606) 2008-10-31 6:52

Hello Scott,
very moody shot,
I know this place, was born only 30 km away, very tragic and we should not forgett this !!
Being in Germany .................
Regards Caesar

maglex (1572) 2008-10-31 11:37

Hi Scott, you captured this in a very precised manner, the exposure and the choice of BW on a gloomy day. A dark period of mankind's existence that would always need to be re-told to the new generations. Have a good weekend, Alex