Tao of Pauly

Wednesday's Politico Roundup: War Photographer

I recently viewed the documentary film War Photographer which chronicled the life of James Nachtwey, regarded by his peers to be the best war photographer... ever. His images are some of the most striking I have ever seen. His photos and many others are often never seen by the public. Most newspapers are afraid to publish similar photos because their advertisers do not want to share ad space on the same page with dire images of famine, war, poverty, and disease. It seems that those images and sad stories might lead the readers to overlook the soft drink or sneaker ad on the adjacent column. If more politicans viewed Jim Nacthwey's photos and took the time to hear his stories about the strife he encountered all over the world and even on the streets of America, perhaps they would certainly use more discretion with their decisions on serious worldy social issues like children soldiers in Western Africa or the increasing poverty in an econimically vibrant Indonesia.

War Photographer was nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary Film in 2001. We get to follow along with Jim to Rawanda, Indonesia, and Palestine and witness what he sees and experiences on one of his dangerous assignments. His photographs are honest and horrible. He has captured some of the darkest moments that humanity has ever unleashed onto one another. Nachtwey comes off as a humble man, who believes that his pictures can help.

Jim Nachtwey started his epic career in 1981 documenting wars, conflicts and critical social issues. His projects include extensive photographic essays in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, Northern Ireland, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa, Russia, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Romania, Brazil and the United States.

He has won several awards for his photographs including the Robert Capa Gold Medal (5 times), the World Press Photo Award (2 times), Magazine Photographer of the Year (6 times), the ICP Infinity Award (3 times), and the Bayeaux Award for War Correspondents (2 times).

You can see selections from his life's work at his website: jamesnachtwey.com. Check out Shattered a photo essay about 9.11 that he completed for Time Magazine.

Be sure you read his touching Personal Statement where he admits that: "the strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke a sense of humanity. If war is an attempt to negate humanity, then photography can be perceived as the opposite of war and if it is used well it can be a powerful ingredient in the antidote to war."