Category Archives: Photography

What Makes A Good Photograph?

Like it or not, a photograph is an art form, regardless of subject or style. One of the reasons I can make this generalisation is that as with anything artistic, its not a definitive thing; it means different things to different viewers and is totally subjective. To one viewer it may be crap, to another it may be superb. Just like music, sculpture, painting, the written word or film, it stirs up a different feeling and thought within anyone who looks at a picture. Its not finite like a mathematical formula but totally infinite in its communication.


I came across this very interesting “discussion” between the Magnum photographer Christopher Anderson and another photographer Terry Carroll on the Magnum Blog. Its well worth a read.

Afghanistan Diary Updates by John D McHugh

John D McHugh has two new stories from his long term Afghanistan project.

The aspect that I like from John D’s work is that it paints a picture of the difficulties faced in this vast country with its complex society. What the second report lacks in “bang bang” it makes up for in bucket loads of information on just how difficult the situation is; both for the Afghani locals and the forces trying to bring back a normality of life to a place which in recent history has only suffered war.


Multimedia…you know; pictures, video, audio

There’s a  lot of terrible multimedia on the web, mainly on newspaper sites that don’t invest time and money in letting their people produce good work. However, there’s a lot of excellent work out there too. For me, Magnum In Motion, Media Storm, The Guardian and New York Times are traditionally the better places to visit to see some stunning work and realise what’s possible with this new story telling method.

Thankfully, there’s also now a great web site called the Kobre Guide that features “the Web’s best multimedia & video journalism”. Its a great site and definitely worth bookmarking.

"This Is War!" – Robert Capa and Gerda Taro Exhibition

Some may remember that in 2007, a suitcase containing hundreds of rolls of film shot by Robert Capa, Gerda Taro and Seymour Chim were discovered and later secured by the ICP in New York.

Some of the images are going to shown for the first time in an exhibition at The Barbican. The exhibition is in several parts:

Robert Capa – This Is War!
Gerda Taro – A Retrospective
On The Subject of War – Artistic Responses to Iraq & Afganistan

I for one, cannot wait!

Orphan Works Bill – A Petition

“We have signed this petition to express our grave misgivings concerning Senate Bill 2913 and House of Representatives Bill 5889 (The Orphan Works Act of 2008) before Congress. We strongly oppose this legislation and urge you to vote against it. We believe these bills infringe upon the rights of artists, journalists, American citizens, and people of the world. For a further understanding of our views please read the attached statement from the grassroots group, A Million People Against the Orphan Works Bill”.


Please read the rest of this petition text and sign it if you agree that creators of images have rights to them and should not have their work stolen.

UPDATE: Read the BJP article on this for more info.

Nachtwey’s Story – XDR-TB

The project highlights the awful disease XDR -TB (extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis), a new and deadly form of tuberculosis that is threatening to become a global pandemic.
Please view and pass on this link to help spread awareness, which is the first step to halting the disease. XDRTB.ORG