Sarah Leen: NGM: POYi

Image © Jonas Bendiksen-All Rights Reserved
The 65th Annual Pictures of the Year International ("POYi") competition which is currently being judged has announced Sarah Leen/National Geographic as the first prize winner in the Magazine Picture Editing Portfolio section, with Jonas Bendiksen's photo essay on Dharavi, a slum called Mumbai's shadow city.

In my view, this is a deserved recognition for the photographer and the magazine. There are two images that I think really stand out in the photo essay...the one above, and the 8th one in the series, which is of a man hunched under an umbrella while a woman in the alley is drenched in the pouring rain, and a priest and a child are arranging a small altar. A moment frozen in time...very well captured by Jonas.

(Note: I erroneously had this photo essay as being by Sarah Leen. However, sharp-eyed Kendrick Kwok, a fellow photographer and Lightstalkers member, kindly pointed out that it was Bendiksen's. A quick search of the National Geographic website confirmed that this was indeed the case. Thank you, Kendrick.)

(Note 2: Another sharp-eyed friend and photographer, Asim Rafiqui, corrected my error in that POYi awarded the Dharavi photo for picture editing, not for the pictures of the essay. The recipient of the award is Sarah Leen, and not Jonas Bendikson, as the category 'Magazine Picture Editing' is reserved for the editors who create the best photo layouts and best use of pictures to tell a story. Many thanks, Asim!)

The photo essay Dharavi, Mumbai's Shadow City

Read more »

Kloie Picot: Hidden In Plain Sight Benefit

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT: A Benefit for Iraqi and Palestinian Refugees is put together by Kloie Picot, and is a worthwhile benefit for Iraqi and Palestinian refugees, one that she hopes will raise awareness of their plight. All proceeds will go to CROSSING LINES, a non-profit Ms. Picot is establishing to provide language, job training and other skills to refugees.

The important worthwhile event opens March 15 at the River Bar and Restaurant in Chung Li, Taiwan and will feature an exhibition and silent auction of photographs donated by several well-known photographers.

For further information: War Shooter (Hidden In Plain Sight)

Bravo Kloie!

Read more »

Magnum Photos: China

Magnum Photos' In Motion just featured a Flipbook on China which takes a look at 60 years of transformation in this enormous country from Magnum's archives. The photographs are from legendary names such as Henri Cartier Bresson, Eve Arnold, Bruno Barbey and Paolo Pellegrin to name but a few.

Magnum Photos' Flipbook: China

Read more »

NYT: In the Land of Black Coats

Image © Gianni Cipriano for NY Times-All Rights Reserved
Central Brooklyn in New York City is the land of the Black Coats...specifically 55th Street in the center of Borough Park which is home to a quarter million Orthodox Jews, the largest concentration of Jews outside Israel.

The slideshow is of atmospheric black & white photographs by Gianni Cipriano, and accompanies a short article in The City section of the New York Times. Why travel when one has this cornucopia of photogenic traditions literally next door?

I just read that the recent introduction of new slideshow templates and tech-savvy multimedia on the pages of the NY Times' website caused a substantial increase in the number of its readers/viewers.

NY Times' In The Land of Black Coats

Read more »

Rania Matar: Women of Islam

Image © Rania Matar-All Rights Reserved
Rania Matar was born and raised in Lebanon, and studied at the AUB and Cornell University. She studied photography at the New England School of Photography and at the Maine Photographic Workshops in Mexico with Magnum photographer Constantine Manos.

She travels widely in the Middle East photographs street scenes in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, and focuses mainly on women and children in the Middle East, and her recent projects give a voice to people who have been forgotten or misunderstood. Her work has won several awards, and has been published and exhibited widely in the United States and internationally.

I was particularly moved by her Women of Islam photographs because, as she writes in her biography, it gives a voice to those who are misunderstood.

Rania Mattar's Women of Islam

Read more »

Rania Matar: Women of Islam

Image © Rania Matar-All Rights Reserved
Rania Matar was born and raised in Lebanon, and studied at the AUB and Cornell University. She studied photography at the New England School of Photography and at the Maine Photographic Workshops in Mexico with Magnum photographer Constantine Manos.

She travels widely in the Middle East photographs street scenes in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, and focuses mainly on women and children in the Middle East, and her recent projects give a voice to people who have been forgotten or misunderstood. Her work has won several awards, and has been published and exhibited widely in the United States and internationally.

I was particularly moved by her Women of Islam photographs because, as she writes in her biography, it gives a voice to those who are misunderstood.

Rania Mattar's Women of Islam

Read more »

And A Song Shall Carry Them Home

The Record, a newspaper group based in Stockton (California) has published a multimedia piece titled And A Song Shall Carry Them Home: The Journey of the Fermin Brothers. The story was authored by Jennifer Torres and photographed by Victor J. Blue.

Here's a synopsis of the story:

"Two years ago, a group of brothers left Acojtapachtlan, a village of about a dozen concrete houses in the hills of southern Mexico. They came to San Joaquin County without education, without money, certainly without permission. They brought little more than their ambition and hopes. One of them carried along a dream to save money, buy instruments and lead a band.

The brothers Fermin were like millions of other Mexicans who have crossed the border and like thousands who, even today, will attempt it. But the ties of home and family are strong. Two years of work in San Joaquin County had earned the brothers enough money for televisions, clothing, tools, accordions, guitars, speakers - and a truck to haul it back. On Oct. 17, the village of Acojtapachtlan was to honor its patron saint, San Lucas, with a festival. One of the brothers would stay behind in Stockton. Three wanted to be home in time to play their music at the festival."

An exceptionally topical and well done insight on who we describe as "illegal immigrants".

The multimedia story: And A Song Shall Carry Them Home

Read more »

And A Song Shall Carry Them Home

The Record, a newspaper group based in Stockton (California) has published a multimedia piece titled And A Song Shall Carry Them Home: The Journey of the Fermin Brothers. The story was authored by Jennifer Torres and photographed by Victor J. Blue.

Here's a synopsis of the story:

"Two years ago, a group of brothers left Acojtapachtlan, a village of about a dozen concrete houses in the hills of southern Mexico. They came to San Joaquin County without education, without money, certainly without permission. They brought little more than their ambition and hopes. One of them carried along a dream to save money, buy instruments and lead a band.

The brothers Fermin were like millions of other Mexicans who have crossed the border and like thousands who, even today, will attempt it. But the ties of home and family are strong. Two years of work in San Joaquin County had earned the brothers enough money for televisions, clothing, tools, accordions, guitars, speakers - and a truck to haul it back. On Oct. 17, the village of Acojtapachtlan was to honor its patron saint, San Lucas, with a festival. One of the brothers would stay behind in Stockton. Three wanted to be home in time to play their music at the festival."

An exceptionally topical and well done insight on who we describe as "illegal immigrants".

The multimedia story: And A Song Shall Carry Them Home

Read more »

PoYi 65

Pictures of the Year International, the program of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism, has announced the 65th Magazine Photographer of the Year and displays the three winning portfolios. It has also posted the winning images for all categories as the judging continues. However, POYi is withholding the names associated with individual categories until the conclusion on March 7 (this is the reason for not having the above photograph properly credited).

My favorite photograph won an Award of Excellence in the Spot News category, and is of Iraqi man cradling his mother after she collapsed following the interrogation and near detainment of her son by US Army soldiers from the 5-20 Infantry Division during the launch of Operation Arrowhead Strike 6 in the Shaab neighborhood of northern Baghdad, February 06, 2006.

I am willing to wager that this photograph was (or will be) published in many Middle Eastern newspapers and blogs, and certain that it will contribute to the anger against the US occupation. I'm surprised that the US military hasn't censored it.

The photographs can be seen at POYi

Read more »

PoYi 65

Pictures of the Year International, the program of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism, has announced the 65th Magazine Photographer of the Year and displays the three winning portfolios. It has also posted the winning images for all categories as the judging continues. However, POYi is withholding the names associated with individual categories until the conclusion on March 7 (this is the reason for not having the above photograph properly credited).

My favorite photograph won an Award of Excellence in the Spot News category, and is of Iraqi man cradling his mother after she collapsed following the interrogation and near detainment of her son by US Army soldiers from the 5-20 Infantry Division during the launch of Operation Arrowhead Strike 6 in the Shaab neighborhood of northern Baghdad, February 06, 2006.

I am willing to wager that this photograph was (or will be) published in many Middle Eastern newspapers and blogs, and certain that it will contribute to the anger against the US occupation. I'm surprised that the US military hasn't censored it.

The photographs can be seen at POYi

Read more »

VII In DUMBO (NYC)

VII is announcing the grand opening of its new location in New York on Friday February 29th (3-6:30pm) .

Photographers Lauren Greenfield, Marcus Bleasdale, Ron Haviv, Christopher Morris and Jessica Dimmock will attend the opening, and will be available to sign their books.

From VII's press release:

"What is VII DUMBO? First of all, it is the new location of VII’s NY office. In addition, we will operate a street level gallery space and a bookstore for photojournalism. Visitors will be able to see printed works by the VII photographers hanging on the walls (selected by Hasted Hunt), as well as buy books by VII photographers and other noted photojournalists. We plan to use the space for events such as panel discussions, book signings, lectures and workshops. The simple idea is that we want to create a physical place in NY, where we can support and promote photojournalism.

We look forward to seeing you in VII DUMBO, starting February 29th at 3pm. We will also be open on weekends, to accommodate weekend visitors. The address is 28 Jay Street in the DUMBO district (2 blocks west of the YORK STREET stop on the F line)."

Read more »

VII In DUMBO (NYC)

VII is announcing the grand opening of its new location in New York on Friday February 29th (3-6:30pm) .

Photographers Lauren Greenfield, Marcus Bleasdale, Ron Haviv, Christopher Morris and Jessica Dimmock will attend the opening, and will be available to sign their books.

From VII's press release:

"What is VII DUMBO? First of all, it is the new location of VII’s NY office. In addition, we will operate a street level gallery space and a bookstore for photojournalism. Visitors will be able to see printed works by the VII photographers hanging on the walls (selected by Hasted Hunt), as well as buy books by VII photographers and other noted photojournalists. We plan to use the space for events such as panel discussions, book signings, lectures and workshops. The simple idea is that we want to create a physical place in NY, where we can support and promote photojournalism.

We look forward to seeing you in VII DUMBO, starting February 29th at 3pm. We will also be open on weekends, to accommodate weekend visitors. The address is 28 Jay Street in the DUMBO district (2 blocks west of the YORK STREET stop on the F line)."

Read more »

Vanity Fair: Junger & Hetherington

Image ©Tim Hetherington -All Rights Reserved
Vanity Fair recently featured a video interview with author and journalist Sebastian Junger and photographer Tim Hetherington, discussing the former's article "In the Valley of Death".

The article recounts the men's experiences when joining a US platoon while its soldiers make painfully slow advance in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley; a strategic passage but among the deadliest pieces of terrain in the world for U.S. forces.

Tim Hetherington was awarded the World Press Photo of the Year 2007 for one of his photographs which appeared in the accompanying article.

Video Interview

Article

Read more »

Vanity Fair: Junger & Hetherington

Image ©Tim Hetherington -All Rights Reserved
Vanity Fair recently featured a video interview with author and journalist Sebastian Junger and photographer Tim Hetherington, discussing the former's article "In the Valley of Death".

The article recounts the men's experiences when joining a US platoon while its soldiers make painfully slow advance in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley; a strategic passage but among the deadliest pieces of terrain in the world for U.S. forces.

Tim Hetherington was awarded the World Press Photo of the Year 2007 for one of his photographs which appeared in the accompanying article.

Video Interview

Article

Read more »