James Nachtwey

[AcadieLibre]

I am and have always been very political, and I do some photography of social issues and belong to one group http://www.collectivelens.com/ a start up that hopes to try and use photography to expose social, political issues. I have some content I posted as an advocate for the homeless. I have used photography as means to expose in my small area what it does and that they may be homeless but are still people.

James Nachtwey has been one of my biggest inspirations on keeping some of what I do to help with social change. He spoke at TED and I must do not remember being so moved by a talk, a series of photographs in a long time as I was by this.

To me this is a must watch for any photographer, it shows the power of what we all do for a hobby, a job can make huge statements of humanity, and I believe the still image can say a thousand words, that the image itself can speak. It is a powerful tool, after seeing this talk I am sure you would agree maybe one of the most powerful.

The photos are extremely graphic, but after all that is the point of his work is to show with an honest eye to what we turn off and tune out. I again strongly suggest anyone who picks up a camera watch this, just and extremely powerful talk and photographic presentations.


http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/james_nachtwey_s_searing_pictures_of_war.html

[JAS_Photo]

I will throw this link in as well.

James Natchway (http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/)

[AcadieLibre]

Just out curiosity, did anyone watch this? I am surprised by the lack of response by what is probably the best Photo Journalist in the Business today. And if no one has it is a pity. It may be graphic, but it is VERY important for photographers of any discipline not to watch, I thought there would be a much larger response.

[jjeling]

I thought it was a great story. It was told very well, and it is hard to disagree with him. As the ideal situation, journalists are trained to remain unbiased. He also stated that photography is all about a different point of view. I can't say that I totally agreed with him and a few others I watched. All stories and interpretations are based on our experiences. I tend to be less political and relegous, but do maintain certain points of views on them. I rarely share them as I believe people should form their own experiences in life. Through my photography, I would just like to share what I experience. It is what we do as photographers, take pictures of what inspires and drives us individually. It is MY point of view on things. Unfortunately, I doubt that I can share my story as well as they have. In a complete conundrum of this whole post, its exactly what I have done here. The same exact thing they have done, just a different subject really. With that being said, I thought it was a great watch. Something you should watch. It is a great way to understand what your intended subject and story is going to be when you decide what you want to say in your story/photography. Thanks for posting that. Their dedication to photography is refreshing.

Here is the other one I watched.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/edward_burtynsky_on_manufactured_landscapes.html

[tomorrowstreasures]

AL - just caught it. WOW. Pretty powerful stuff there. Thought provoking and tugs at deep introspection... thanks for sharing this. WOW.

[AcadieLibre]

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/edward_burtynsky_on_manufactured_landscapes.html


Funny you mentioned this, I posted that talk somewhere earlier in the catergory. I wrote to Edward Burtynsky thtough someone I met who worked with him, and she was able to send me a copy for free. I will link to the scanned copy I have, since it is copyrighted but I can scan it and post it on my flikr, which I was informed they were ok with. I was not expecting it. So needless to say I was quite happy to get a copy.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3337176966_a0a6c4f532.jpg

[jjeling]

Thats pretty cool. It would be great to see what these guys have to say in a whole book of words.

[AcadieLibre]

Thats pretty cool. It would be great to see what these guys have to say in a whole book of words.

Its a DVD Documentary. I think even if you rent it, it is a powerful documentary very much worth the time to view. As always may not be for everyone but very insightful from one of Canada's premiere photographers.

[jellotranz]

Nachtwey has been one of my biggest inspirations on keeping some of what I do to help with social change. He spoke at TED and I must do not remember being so moved by a talk, a series of photographs in a long time as I was by this.


Typically I am not one to go off and study other photographers work. But... James Nachtwey is my hero. War photographer is a great movie, if you are a fan of his and haven't seen it, get it!! Now!! What are you waiting for??

Got it yet?

Peace

[AntZ]

I will throw this link in as well.

James Natchway (http://www.jamesnachtwey.com/)

There are some might powerful images there. It must be with mixed emotions to look back on a portfolio like that.

I will try to watch the Ted video on the weekend.

[Marko]

That was excellent. What passion and quite a good heartfelt speaker.
Those images are amazing and terribly provocative.

Not to get off the serious tone of the images, but they are also expertly composed and rendered. I too have been following this dude (on and off for about 10 years even though photojournalism is not my forte)

[jellotranz]

As I am sitting here rifling though our DVD’s trying to figure out what to watch, and I came across Harrisons Flowers (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0216799/) and couldn’t believe I didn’t bring it up before. It’s about a Photojournalist who goes off to Yugoslavia to shoot cover the conflict and what happens to him and his wife who goes there looking for him. While most of it is fictional and I have to admit I think there are some really implausible points in the plot it’s a pretty good movie and it does show what some of these guys can go through. So if you liked War Photographer (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0309061/)then I think you will like this.