Audstermania: Photography/Inspiration: James Nachtwey

"I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated."

-James Nachtwey

War Photographer Trailer

I've just finished watching War Photographer a documentary about the photojournalist James Nachtwey. For Nachtwey, it's about more than taking the most dramatic picture, its about telling a story and the keeping your integrity. Its about more than being a lens, but a person, taking moral responsibility to tell the stories that are unheard, that no one else can tell. The sensitivity of the subject matter must be handled with care. James believes that he is not merely a photographer, but he is involved, he doesnt hide beind his camera but he pours himself into every picture and every situation he happens to find himself in. Nachtwey's photos the human condition, our nature, our plight - how primitive we are, that after years of education and development, we are still animals, savages at our core and that chaos is imminent and very real. Not only do his pictures tell a story, but they're poetic in the way they subtly educate us of our imperfection. They're not exploitative nor are they gratuitous, or at least, they're not meant to be. Often, people sensationalize photos, and yes photographs are do often glorify or venerate something unsavoury, this is unavoidable, the most dramatic photos sell, they are also the ones that fetch the most money, and this is the vicious cycle that most journalists strive on. That's why it's so important to present the story, whatever it might be, in a light that is neutral so it's audience can interpret it from their own vernacular. Unfortunately, documentary photography is exploitative, but how can a photograph reach the masses effectively if it isn't? This is where James constantly tries to do as much justice as possible to those whose stories he's telling.

Nachtwey is an inspiration to me, not just as a photographer but as a human being. What he said he needed to figure out, was his anger, how to use it effectively in a way that channeled it into something useful instead of clouding it. That in itself hits close to home. But James' demeanor is even more endearing, the calmness in his voice shows that he's been in the eye of the storm, he knows how to handle the pressure in difficult situations - he's seen a lot and cannot allow things to affect him. He comes not just from a place of artistic brilliance, but a place of deep concern for those he photographs. He cares deeply and that extends beyond journalism and the images, but within his spirit, he understands what it is to be a human being. He cares for his subjects. He is such a beautiful human being, modest and learned, unbiased, shy, self-effacing, noble, courteous, humble, sensitive aware, inquisitive,,calm, he doesn't undermine his limitations and he seems so human and real and grounded in spite of his success, in other words - the perfect journalist. He doesn't place people into the realm of "otherness", which is so easy to do, but rather he grasps the situation as it really is. He wants to present a story that is truthful and neutral, where black and white dont exist, the subject is always fully rendered. He understands that his art, his work won't change the world and his ego won't ever allow him to think otherwise. His demeanor is simply endearing, all he wants is to educate people about the world's atrocities in the hopes that they'll take note, definitely something he's achieved with me. Perhaps Paul Strands' quote best describes the power of Nachtwey's photos: "It is one thing to photograph people. it is another to make others care about them by revealing the core of their humanness."

Evidence of Nachtwey's altruism is evident as he's on his hands and knees pleading for a mans life.

This scene from War Photographer hits close to home. Being from that part of the world, I've always known about things like this, yet I've never done anything to help people, and it sickens me. I dont understand why or how I havent allowed myself to be exposed to it and help first hand. or even at the very least, document it. My own human condition sickens me. It's time to fix that.

2007 TED Winner Symposium.

Nachtwey was a TED Winner in 2007. With this, he was allowed a TED wish, with support in the form of research and money from TED, Nachtwey's wish was stated as: "There's vital story that needs to be told. And I wish for TED to help me gain access to it and then help me come up with innovative new and exciting ways to use news photography in the digital era."
James has achieved that, to educate, so much so that its got me thinking that to be indulgent in my own "problems" makes me ignorant to those who are suffering so much more, because we are essentially the same as humans, if those others can survive and still have a smile on their faces despite the tragedy that's befallen them, there is no reason fro me not to get up everyday despite the things Ive gone through, or will have to go through. This documentary, his photos, challenges you to re-think about your own "plight", your own neurosis and realize that they're so secondary to the struggles that other people in the world are facing.

These are a few of my favourites from Nachtwey's portfolio: