Conversations on Conflict Photography

In today’s image-saturated culture, the visual documentation of suffering around the world is more prevalent than ever. Yet instead of always deepening the knowledge or compassion of viewers, conflict photography can result in fatigue or even inspire apathy. Given this tension between the genre’s ostensible goals and its effects, what is the purpose behind taking and showing images of war and crisis? Conversations on Conflict Photography invites readers to think through these issues via conversations with award-winning photographers, as well as leading photo editors and key representatives of the major human rights and humanitarian organizations. Framed by critical-historical essays, these dialogues explore the complexities and ethical dilemmas of this line of work. The practitioners relate the struggles of their craft, from brushes with death on the frontlines to the battles for space, resources, and attention in our media-driven culture. Despite these obstacles, they remain true to a purpose, one that is palpable as they celebrate remarkable success stories: from changing the life of a single individual to raising broad awareness about human rights issues. Opening with an insightful foreword by the renowned Sebastian Junger and richly illustrated with challenging, painful, and sometimes beautiful images, Conversations offers a uniquely rounded examination of the value of conflict photography in today’s world.

Foreword by Sebastian Junger Introduction A Note on the Interviews A Note on the Nachtwey Photo INTERVIEWS Section 1: Behind the Lens 1. Introductory essay: “The World of Conflict Photographers” The Photographers 2. Andrea Bruce 3. Marcus Bleasdale 4. Susan Meiselas 5. Shahidul Alam 6. Ron Haviv 7. Spencer Platt 8. Eman Helal 9. Benjamin Lowy 10. Nina Berman 11. Alexander Joe 12. Laurent Van der Stockt 13. Newsha Tavakolian Section 2: In the Newsroom and Beyond 14. Introductory essay: “Industry Practices, Conflict Photography, and Critical Debates” The Photo Editors and Directors of Photography 15. Santiago Lyon, former Vice President and Director of Photography, The Associated Press 16. MaryAnne Golon, Assistant Managing Editor and Director of Photography, The Washington Post 17. Aidan Sullivan, Founder and CEO of Verbatim Agency and former Vice President of Photo Assignments, Getty Images 18. Marion Mertens, Senior Digital Editor, Paris Match Section 3: Advocacy and Aid 19. Introductory essay: “Photographs of Crisis: Human Rights and Humanitarian Organizations” The Human Rights and Humanitarian Agency Representatives 20. Michael Goldfarb, Director of Communications, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-USA 21. Peter Bouckaert, former Emergencies Director, Human Rights Watch 22. Ellen Tolmie, former Senior Photography Editor, UNICEF Conclusion “Conflict Photography: Looking Ahead” Acknowledgements

Lauren Walsh teaches at The New School and New York University, where she is the Director of the Gallatin School’s Photojournalism Lab. She is also the Director of Lost Rolls America, a national public archive of photography and memory.