TIME’s countdown of the most iconic photographs in history continues with a brief look into the harrowing moments that led to photographer Jeff Widener’s Tank Man in Tiananmen Square. Working as picture editor for the Associated Press, Widener had the unenviable task of documenting the Tiananmen Square, China protest.

At the time, security were said to have used cattle prods on journalists, forcing them to surrender any photographic equipment in order to silence freedom of the press.

Widener concealed his gear and gained access into Tiananmen Square with the assistance of American college student Kirk Martsen who was residing as a guest at the nearby Beijing Hotel. With only a limited roll of film and security on high alert, Widener perched outside the hotel balcony and composed three shots of the Tank Man. The candid photograph is now recognised as a symbol of dignity in the face of violent repression.

Since starting the TIME: 100 Photos series last month, 17 shorts have been released in celebration of the “175th anniversary of photography and the birth of photojournalism. ” Not only this, it also highlights the enduring beauty of a photograph captured in the face of difficulty.

A collected YouTube playlist is available for viewing here.

2016-12-22 03:00