Operation Azra: Photography Auction for Victims of Acid Burning in Pakistan

By Chris Lombardi, 6-15-07

	Caption: Todd Heisler's "Final Salute"

Some of the best photojournalists on the planet have come together to donate their work to Operation Azra, an online photography auction benefiting the victims of acid burning in Pakistan. Acid burning is the intentional disfiguring of women with acid or kerosene as a act of retribution.

Among the images donated to the auction are some of the more powerful images I've seen in a long while. Be sure not to miss "Kashmir: Troubled Paradise" by Ami Vitale, "Procession of Virgins" by Antonin Kratochvil, and "Buzkashi" by Shaul Schwartz.

Of regional note, the Rocky Mountain News has donated an image by photojourmalist Todd Heisler, who won a Pulitzer for his work while at the Denver paper (he's since gone on to the New York Times). His image, Final Salute, of a flag-draped coffin being loaded into an aircraft at Reno International Airport (pictured here) has become one of the more famous images to emerge from the Iraq war. This auction marks the first time the image has been available for public sale. Heisler's web site, www.toddheisler.com, is well worth your time, as well. [End of article]