--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was shooting all this time. And there…" description: "\"I was shooting all this time. And there was only one guy who helped to pull him. And I had to think whether I was going to keep shooting or help the gu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/haskell-wexler-18987_clinic_i-was-shooting-all-this-time-and-there-w_32668.jpg" --- # I was shooting all this time. And there was only one guy… ![“I was shooting all this time. And there was only one guy who helped to pull him. And I had to think whether I was going to keep shooting or help the guy. And so I kept shooting and then they put him in this little clinic, and I photographed through the window while they had to amputate his leg…” quote by Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/haskell-wexler-18987_clinic_i-was-shooting-all-this-time-and-there-w_32668.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/haskell-wexler-18987_clinic_i-was-shooting-all-this-time-and-there-w_32668.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e25/haskell-wexler-18987_clinic_i-was-shooting-all-this-time-and-there-w_32668.jpg) > “I was shooting all this time. And there was only one guy who helped to pull him. And I had to think whether I was going to keep shooting or help the guy. And so I kept shooting and then they put him in this little clinic, and I photographed through the window while they had to amputate his leg. And I felt very strange because I didn't - I felt I could have helped, but I didn't help. But then I also felt elated that I was getting a shot that would be important to the film.” [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker wrestles with the moral conflict between professional duty and personal responsibility, feeling guilt for not intervening while also experiencing professional pride. **In simple terms:** Moral dilemma of duty vs. compassion Key Takeaway Conflict between ethical action and career ambition Themes ethics photography war humanitarianism personal responsibility Mood conflicted guilty proud Type personal anecdote reflective observation When to use this quote - war zone reporting - documentary filmmaking - medical emergencies - on‑set decision making Key Concepts moral conflict professional duty psychological tension compassion Practical Applications - ethical training for journalists - guidelines for humanitarian aid in conflict zones Questions to Reflect On - When does professional duty outweigh personal moral responsibility? - How can creators balance truth‑telling with compassion? A Different Perspective The speaker's choice to prioritize filming may be seen as exploiting suffering for artistic gain, raising questions about the morality of such decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I did not kill my father, but I sometimes felt I had helped him on his way. And but for the fact that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/i-did-not-kill-my-father-but-i-sometimes-felt-i-had-helped-him-on-his/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [It's people who you've seen that have given you a lot. 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I didn't - never felt they were so becoming to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-radziwill/no-i-never-did-hats-i-didn-t-never-felt-they-were-so-becoming-to-me/) [Lee Radziwill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-radziwill/) > [Control is the main thing, and the tee shot is the most important shot in golf. You've got to hit the fairway before you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hogan/control-is-the-main-thing-and-the-tee-shot-is-the-most-important-shot/) [Ben Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hogan/) > [I thought it would be funny to go to my Korean dry cleaner and ask her about my head shot, as if it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-eichner/i-thought-it-would-be-funny-to-go-to-my-korean-dry-cleaner-and-ask/) [Billy Eichner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-eichner/) > [Each shot is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-player/each-shot-is-important/) [Gary Player](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-player/) > [Money can be a very important form of "ammunition," although we should never forget that when you're being shot at the most important ammunition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-petraeus/money-can-be-a-very-important-form-of-ammunition-although-we-should/) [David Petraeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-petraeus/) > [In order to hit a good golf shot at that moment in time when you're standing over the ball, you must believe that golf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-woods/in-order-to-hit-a-good-golf-shot-at-that-moment-in-time-when-you-re/) [Tiger Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-woods/) ## More by Haskell Wexler > [From my image of digging around in the mud like a grunt, I preferred fighting the war from ships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/from-my-image-of-digging-around-in-the-mud-like-a-grunt-i-preferred/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [I used it in a shot where Richard Burton goes down the hall to get a gun in a closet. And I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/i-used-it-in-a-shot-where-richard-burton-goes-down-the-hall-to-get-a/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [Lighting was very primitive. And still it was really the way to learn because sometimes some of the modern technology is so extreme and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/lighting-was-very-primitive-and-still-it-was-really-the-way-to-learn/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [I rationalize out, well, how much help could you really be, you know? And maybe if people saw this, they'd realize the brutality of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/i-rationalize-out-well-how-much-help-could-you-really-be-you-know-and/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [When I search myself carefully I do think it's from my mother. I even feel strange saying that. Most people, I believe, when they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/when-i-search-myself-carefully-i-do-think-it-s-from-my-mother-i-even/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [The helicopter was a U.S. Navy helicopter. There were no civilian helicopters available to film companies, so they just made some stuff out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/the-helicopter-was-a-u-s-navy-helicopter-there-were-no-civilian/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [There was no actually stock footage in "Medium Cool." I wrote the script. I wrote the riots. And I integrated the actors in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/there-was-no-actually-stock-footage-in-medium-cool-i-wrote-the-script/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [Well, of course the general idea was dreamed up by the advertising agency and so my job was to realize that. And we down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/well-of-course-the-general-idea-was-dreamed-up-by-the-advertising/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [Now, I have to - in my defense, I have the say that general knowledge of the deadly nature of cigarettes was not primarily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/now-i-have-to-in-my-defense-i-have-the-say-that-general-knowledge-of/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [There is a very particular feeling I get when I have the camera in my hand, looking at an actor talk, knowing that what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/there-is-a-very-particular-feeling-i-get-when-i-have-the-camera-in-my/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [Well, there is a contradiction in a sense. If you're making commercials which sell products which are unhealthy or which are unnecessary, I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/well-there-is-a-contradiction-in-a-sense-if-you-re-making-commercials/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [My mother let me know that we're all connected. If some of us become more affluent it's not because we're better or even smarter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/my-mother-let-me-know-that-we-re-all-connected-if-some-of-us-become/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [When I was in Vietnam with Jane Fonda, I was shooting a farmer in a field - just a pastoral scene. And while I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/when-i-was-in-vietnam-with-jane-fonda-i-was-shooting-a-farmer-in-a/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [I felt that that experience, because of the responsible nature that I found I acted all during that traumatic time, that I felt that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/i-felt-that-that-experience-because-of-the-responsible-nature-that-i/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) > [Most people, I believe, when they're asked profound questions about their own persona are not really able to enunciate it, because it's a combination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haskell-wexler/most-people-i-believe-when-they-re-asked-profound-questions-about/) [Haskell Wexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) [Explore all 33 Haskell Wexler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haskell-wexler/) ## More Clinic quotes > [I was raised to volunteer: nursing homes, clinics, church nurseries, school, everywhere that could use help. It's such an intrinsic part of me, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debby-ryan/i-was-raised-to-volunteer-nursing-homes-clinics-church-nurseries/) [Debby Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debby-ryan/) > [Public and private funds have been thrown around like confetti at a country fair, to close up and destroy clinics, hospitals, and scientific research…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-fitzgerald/public-and-private-funds-have-been-thrown-around-like-confetti-at-a/) Benedict Fitzgerald > [Sign on the abortion clinic: Don't kid yourself!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/green-monk/sign-on-the-abortion-clinic-don-t-kid-yourself/) [Green Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/green-monk/) > [If men could get pregnant, abortion clinics would be like Starbucks - two on every block and four in every airport. And the morning-after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nasim-pedrad/if-men-could-get-pregnant-abortion-clinics-would-be-like-starbucks/) [Nasim Pedrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nasim-pedrad/) > [ We got a commitment that 3 million nurses are going to be trained to better identify these signs \[of PTSD\], because, you know, when… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/we-got-a-commitment-that-3-million-nurses-are-going-to-be-trained-to/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [It is impossible for an abortion clinic to have a waiting list of more than nine months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/it-is-impossible-for-an-abortion-clinic-to-have-a-waiting-list-of/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [What's disgraceful is that any Tom, Dick and Harry can open up a clinic and administer Botox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-solomon/what-s-disgraceful-is-that-any-tom-dick-and-harry-can-open-up-a/) [Stacey Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-solomon/) > [Did you ever hear one of those corny, positive messages on someone's answering machine? 'Hi, it's a great day and I'm out enjoying it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-rooney/did-you-ever-hear-one-of-those-corny-positive-messages-on-someone-s/) [Andy Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-rooney/) > [Studying literature at Harvard is like learning about women at the Mayo Clinic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-blount-jr/studying-literature-at-harvard-is-like-learning-about-women-at-the/) [Roy Blount, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-blount-jr/) > [There was a time when only wise books were read helping us to bear our pain and misery. This, after all, is not quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/czeslaw-milosz/there-was-a-time-when-only-wise-books-were-read-helping-us-to-bear/) [Czeslaw Milosz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/czeslaw-milosz/) > [The Mayo Clinic is one of the largest and most experienced medical centers treating esophageal cancer in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harmon-killebrew/the-mayo-clinic-is-one-of-the-largest-and-most-experienced-medical/) [Harmon Killebrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harmon-killebrew/) > [And no offense, but let’s grow our own teachers, let’s grow our own nurses—and so that we don’t have to be scrounging around in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-barry/and-no-offense-but-let-s-grow-our-own-teachers-let-s-grow-our-own/) [Marion Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-barry/) > [“When doctor saves a life, he also saves a family.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/when-doctor-saves-a-life-he-also-saves-a-family/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [With this silent film, I wanted to hide what was going on in the clinic. I wanted to cover it up in the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-almodovar/with-this-silent-film-i-wanted-to-hide-what-was-going-on-in-the/) [Pedro Almodovar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-almodovar/) > [I've certainly enjoyed doing clinic tours for larger audiences, but the most valuable teaching experience has been the hundreds of lessons that I've given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/i-ve-certainly-enjoyed-doing-clinic-tours-for-larger-audiences-but/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) Browse all 168 Clinic quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I was shooting all this time. And there was only one guy who helped to pull him. And I had to think whether I was going to keep shooting or help the guy. And so I kept shooting and then they put him in this little clinic, and I photographed through the window while they had to amputate his leg. 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