“To take a photograph is to align the head, the eye and the heart. It’s a way of life.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson
Magnum Photos is a photo agency founded in 1947 by Henri Cartier Bresson, David Seymour, Robert Capa and George Rodger.
When I first arrived at Magnum Photos in New York in the spring of 2006, I had no idea of its legacy. My friend Maryam called me one day and told me to go and apply for their internship as encouragement to not abandon my love of photography. I learned about Cartier-Bresson and his philosophy, it transformed how I looked at photojournalism – and life, for that matter – forever.
I’ve always believed that my soul is a camera. Always capturing images from the days journey. The lens is the soul’s eye. Journalism is just another way of learning to dig for facts. Whether it be uncovering stories of the world’s struggles or unearthing new discoveries of the self. The process is the same. We have to seek and seek some more.
We have to get close to the subject. Some photojournalists enjoying having a long lens. As it enables them to steal from a distance. I remember during the internship this photography teacher came in with his students to give them a glimpse of the space. While there, he started taking photos of me with his long lens. Naturally, I hid. When he followed and tried to steal a snap again, I approached him and told him that instead of using such a long lens it would be better to interact with me. Ask me questions about my life rather than engage in a hit and run.
Photographers and journalists, I believe, are ambassadors of peace. It’s not about following the hottest tragedy in hopes of making a name for yourself. Life is real. I came into journalism because I was the homeless, the domestic worker, the one without legal papers, the one about to be cheated out of my housing, the one whose voice was ignored.
Reporting Transformation
Journalism, photojournalism or whatever you want to label it, is about transformation. Universities create institutionalised techniques. Witnessing Life is interested in transforming the way you approach photography and journalism.
Cartier-Bresson transformed the way I approach images and stories by showing me the importance of finding my voice in those topics I chose to report. This is the true art. Instead of chasing the latest fad, you learn to seek detail, uncover truth and shed light on topics that the mainstream media either ignores or glosses over.
Life is not a hit and run nor the latest headline. We have to get close and in so doing we learn about the world around us and ourselves.
Assignment
Study the above image of Cartier-Bresson drawing his self-portrait for a few minutes.
Then write. Describe how the image can be used to illustrate various aspect of ourselves. How journalism can be a tool for self-discovery and if communicated properly – an instrument of peace.
Post your thoughts in the comments below.
