Here is a GREAT article in the New York Times about how the enormously fashionable relief organization charity: water was started. Scott Harrison was quite simply a missionary photojournalist for Mercy Ships who had a spiritual awakening. I LOVE this story because it clearly establishes the direct connection between visual storytelling and the ability to tangibly help others overseas. This was just one guy with a camera and a serious vision from God. I know of other organizations that were started in exactly this same way, but Scott’s story clearly points out the power we have as concerned photographers to truly make a difference with our passion and our skills. Of course, in the case of charity: water it also points to an appropriate utilization of Web 2.0 marketing techniques- another topic that should interest all of us considerably.
As humanitarian photographers; socially concerned, Christian, or otherwise, we have an enormously powerful set of skills and tools at our disposal. Of course, as David DuChemin frequently reminds us, “gear is good, vision is better”. Therefore we must constantly dig in to discover what we want to say visually, what we want to do with these skills that we’ve been blessed with- then design our plan for making it happen.
Just found this inspiring short-film teaser about clean water for a village in Ethiopia. Amazing visuals. Filled with hope. Shot with a Nikon D90, from the guys at Upstream Visual:
In response to the frequent question: ” Tell me how you got started?” I’ve stepped out on a ledge & written “My Story“- a more in-depth look at how I got started in humanitarian photography. You can read it here.
Art & Altruism. That is my interest. And Love, Light & Melody is an organization that is doing a fine job of combining the two. “They use music and the arts to rebuild, restore, and bring healing to communities ravaged by extreme poverty.” When I find an effort like this it reminds me of why I have been put here on earth, and it encourages me that I have much work left to do. Visit their website here, or watch this video to be inspired:
I’m very excited to announce- after far too many years of the same old site- that I have a new portfolio website coming out with a complete overhaul of images and design. It’s not here yet- it’s in the final stages. But here’s a taste of how it’s looking. This blog will also get a re-design to match. Expect to hear much more from me once I get all this stuff completed….
For some serious inspiration head over to the website of Joey L.. Navigate to Personal > Abyssinia, & also check out his Holy Men gallery. This is some of the best field portraiture I’ve ever seen.
Over on his blog he discusses his approach in taking these pictures. He calls them “dignified portraits”. In quotes here:
“I define the way I photograph people as a “dignified portrait,” and certainly used this style in Ethiopia. I feel in order to present something about someone in a photograph, it must be done very carefully and with great respect. I feel the advent of point and shoot cameras and the ease of sharing photography every where in the world (even though I admit this is how I got started and how I survive) can limit ones view of how important an image really can be. The tools and methods I use are not as important as the mindset, but I feel they do well in getting my direction across in presenting the subject.
Most of my images are contrived and posed. I think it is wrong to assume this direction as less realistic than a photojournalistic approach. I believe that ‘purist photojournalism’ is a very strong form of communication, and has its place in the world, but it is not my calling. Every single image not captured by an eye undergoes some kind of process, be it light reacting to the film which renders color and tonality or a digital signal being reassembled and compressed. If you take snapshots wishing them to not look contrived, then they are contrived to be snapshots. Every single image ever taken is contrived in some way or another. No process is purer than another, and no color is a truer color. (I have never seen the world in black and white either. )”
- by Joey L.
By the way- this photographer is only 20 years old, and most of his work is in commercial & advertising.
PDN Magazine just published this killer article about newspaper photojournalists who are getting laid off and forming multimedia companies. And they seem to be targeting primarily non-profits & NGO’s with their services. This is what I’ve been waiting for and it points to some encouraging realities:
Photojournalists ARE finding new and growing outlets for visual stories about social justice and social responsibility.
BECAUSE of the decline of the traditional news media we ARE witnessing a renaissance of humanitarian & advocacy photojournalism- helping to return it to its’ roots.
Thanks to print/video convergence, there ARE powerful new avenues for organizations to get their stories told, and for photographers to help them.
So check out these new companies. And please let me know of others doing similar work.
I’ve been combing through my photo archives lately as I do a new portfolio edit. It’s a slightly painful task, (lots of junk!) But it’s fun at times because I’ve encountered a few hidden gems- some I don’t even remember taking. Most are a bit quirkier or random than my usual favorites, and finding one actually gives me some excitement- similar to capturing a great image from a new assignment. These images remind me not to pass up those random, quirky moments when they happen. Plus it’s enlightening to see how my style has progressed over time, or perhaps rather how my preference for which pictures hold value and which don’t has changed.
So this begs the question, “Why would we disregard certain pictures at one point in history, but find them so pleasing upon re-discovery”?
And then it occurs to me: In the time since I shot many of these pictures, Lightroom has completely revolutionized the way I see and process my pictures in post, making the process much more fun and creative. So maybe that answers part of the question. Anyway, I’m starting a new category called “Pictures from the Vault” to which I’ll be posting periodically. Here’s the first…
Cambodian country side. Yes, that's a pig in his basket.
I receive many emails with questions from emerging photographers who want to know more about my work. I love these emails because they give me the chance to reflect & write about what I do- while hopefully helping someone else in the process. So, I’m starting a new category here on my blog called “questions answered”. Feel free to send your own. Here’s the first entry…..
What has been your favorite place or event to photograph?
That’s a tough one, because I’ve visited a lot of interesting places. But I might have to say that Timbuktu, in Mali, was one of my favorite destination assignments. Perhaps mostly because of the mystique of traveling to such a “remote” location. But also because it was my first visit to North/West Africa, and I definitely had the Africa bug. (Still do!) I also enjoy a good journey as much as the destination, and getting there was definitely an adventure for me.
Why did you become a photographer?
I became a photographer because it was what I had always dreamed of doing. Now I can’t imagine doing much else. I am someone who believes strongly in pursuing what you love. As a kid I was obsessed with documenting my experiences. And constantly shooting pictures of friends and family. But I was also inspired by my father’s National Geographic magazines, and the thought of traveling to remote corners of the world as a photographer became my dream. (Isn’t it everyone’s?) So when it finally came time to decide what I had to do for living, photography was IT. Exactly how IT was going to happen, I didn’t have a clue. As for the realities of how it actually came about for me on a professional level, that was a combination of much preparation + perfect timing. In other words, diligently perusing the type of photography that I was interested in & developing a portfolio from that, and then being in the right place at the right time when the right work opportunities presented themselves.
What do you hope people gain from looking at your photography?
I hope that by looking at my work people will gain a desire to impact their world in a positive way, to interact with the world in a more compassionate & caring way. To use whatever skills they’ve been given to serve others- especially those in need. And I hope to inspire people to get out there and experience this amazing planet we live in….Hopefully with their camera in hand.
But the stories we encountered were heart wrenching, mostly of Iraqi refugees who fled the violence in Iraq & now live in Syria (see below).
It was one of my more challenging assignments. I was working mainly indoors under very poor lighting. So most of my favorite images were outdoor cityscapes- quite a departure for me actually.
And to make a long story short- I knew what I really wanted to do, but I kind of fell into this job. Of course I prefer to see it as a divine plan of the creator of the universe…nevertheless, my experience was not ordinary. Just keep in mind that the following perspective is limited to my own set of experiences, but I have observed a lot along the way, so here goes…
I don’t think there is an “ordinary” path for this type of work, simply because there are so few entities who employ photographers to do it. Granted that really needs to change, but it points to some very important realities for anyone wanting to pursue this type of photography:
It must come from your heart.
You must feel a calling to do it.
Success requires extreme sacrifice and personal dedication.
But isn’t that at the center of all great art? Yes, it must be born from the artists’ true vision, & often through much blood, sweat & tears. You do this work because you CANNOT do anything else- you were born for it. It is in your veins. And you cannot succeed if you are limited to waiting for someone else to pay you to do it. At least not at first. If you are just starting out, you must get yourself out to where the stories are that you are dying to tell & cover them in your own creative fashion. Once you have developed a unique body of work, you must network. Talk with organizations who’s goals might resonate with your artistic vision. Find whoever it may be that values your work and inspire them with it! Who knows what could happen.
Your success depends on the following:
1) your creative ability
2) your networking ability
3) your personal vision & motivation
I’ve just jumped into using the new Canon 5D Mark II on a recent trip to India. WOW!! I’ve been so inspired as to start a new personal documentary series about my travels. Here’s the first teaser edition :
The mountainous region of Jebel Marra, locally referred to as a “liberated area”, is the traditional homeland of the rebel insurgency which kick-started the war in Darfur. Almost entirely surrounded by enemy militias, the people here, known as the Fur tribe, are completely dependent on outside aid for survival.
