daines'n around

I found my notes from James Nachtwey's lecture and question and answer session at the Getty Center Sunday evening. Here are some excerpts:

"I express myself through photographs"

"A photo of any war by its nature almost becomes an anti-war photo."

"My photos aim to affect the mass consciousness, hopefully forming a mass conscience."

"I realized all of my stories were part of one story, and 9/11 crystallized that knowledge to me."

"Information is vital, Journalism is essential. Journalists hold the decision makers responsible."

"Robert Cappa once said, 'A war photographer's wish is to be put out of business'"

"I'm not reckless, I'm aware of the situation and what could happen. I have no illusion that I'm hiding behind a camera."

"I have a sense that marketing is taking over journalism. How do we convince publishers that we want to change where the media is going? Don't underestimate a letter to the editor."

On becoming a documentary photojournalist:
"Find a story that means something to you, and spend a lot of time on it. Make history with a lower-case H, not with a capital H. Follow your heart and don't give up."

On hoping for a more peaceful future:
"I'm hopeful. I've been around tragedy and horrors and seen the people suffering find hope. How can I not have hope? We have to be engaged in seeing it through, and engaged with hope."

On why Islamic followers seem to suffer around the world:
"The main problems would have to be: poverty, oppressive governments, legacy (division) of colonialism, and repression from the outside world."