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Obituaries: "Dith Pran, 'Killing Fields' Photographer, Dies at 65"

This New York Times obituary for Dith Pran, the photographer who inspired the film The Killing Fields, uses the standard lead: name, claim to fame, place and time of death, and then a brief sentence giving his age and in this case where he lived.

The primary source for the article is Pran’s longtime friend and closest associate, Sydney H. Schanberg. It also uses quotes from past interviews with Pran himself. It focuses on his work as a photojournalist, painting him as an inspiration to journalists like those at the Times.

Rather than dryly listing off Pran’s background and accolades, the article almost creates a narrative describing his colorful life, his dedication to his work, and his harrowing experiences. It paints a personal picture of an individual and pays tribute to him.

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