Tag: documentary work

Eugene Richards

Eugene Richards, from series, ‘War is Personal, U.S.A.’

Eugene Richards’ work is informed by a clarity of vision and compassion. His silent and transparent approach translates into photographs that place us, as viewers, in moral and emotional spaces that are no longer safe or neutral. He brings our attention to matters that are more often than not left unattended, and now require action or engagement. I respect his work tremendously and think he is one of the most important of photographers. Thanks, Eugene Richards for all you do. I recommend taking a look at his web site, listening to this conversation in the WBUR archives of a wonderful program no longer being produced called The Connection, and watching this video of a talk he gave last year at the World Press Photo Awards ceremonies. Then buy all the books* by him that you can get your hands on.

*this link takes you to Amazon – I do not profit in any way from the process.

Tim Hetherington

There is still an ache with the recent news of Tim Hetherington being killed in Libya. His photography is characterized by an understatement of dramatic and tragic events, by a quiet insistence: look, look, look again and do not forget, then look again and think, then look again and act. Hetherington’s was a vision informed by deep compassion, intelligence, and tenacity. In this video, he talks about Liberia and work that became a remarkable book, ‘Long Story Bit by Bit: Liberia retold’

Thank you, Mr. Hetherington.

Tim Hetherington: Long Story Bit by Bit

“I’ve never seen myself as a war photographer. This is about narrative. I’m very open to any visual conceits and any possibilities at my disposal to better explain to people the ideas I’m exploring. I like art photography, I like still life, I like war photography. I like to include everything to weave a tapestry to explain to someone, ‘What happened?’” -Tim Hetherington

Then read this interview with fellow photographer and friend, Michael Kamber

 

documentarian wiki

I have just created a new wiki and resource area for documentary photo work based on communities and small cultures. The site is at the earliest stages of development, and is itself designed to be a community effort. Please take a look. I hope to spend most of next year working on this.

the beat

3000881_RitualDrum.jpg
ritual drum, India. 1995. (from series “Prayer and Despair”)
platinum-palladium print, 8×10 in
Two students and art majors from Sewanee are working on extremely challenging projects in Haiti and Peru. Jack and Lexi, know that many of us are following your work, and that it is enough that you are there. Being a documentarian is, in large part, a matter of alert waiting, listening and anticipating. It is also a process of hovering outside of the cloud, and at times the miasma, of the burden of being alive and trying to stay alive. But this hovering has both privileges and responsibilities: it affords the privilege of observing, witnessing, and comes with the responsibility of making sense, clarifying, conveying. It is a steady process, that of your vision tapping away at the madness of being alive. Be patient. You are after all, drummers.

kurosafrica

wolf böwig: “…slowly down the rivers”, bangladesh

The Fotografie Forum Frankfurt will host a presentation by photographer, Wolf Böwig, at Bockenheimer Landstraße 102, 60323 Frankfurt, May 29th, 7 PM. Don’t miss this if you happen to be in the area. Böwig’s latest body of work, “kurosafrica”, considers the ravaged African nations as being, collectively, in a sate of the first ever ‘continental war’. It is a powerful piece of work, and most of it, along with other projects can be seen on his web site.

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