“Photojournalist James Nachtwey is considered by many to be the greatest war photographer of recent decades.” This is from Nachtwey’s bio on the TED Talks website. This is true — that Nachtwey is often considered the greatest living war photographer. However, whether or not James Nachtwey is the “greatest” war photographer is really not that interesting of a question.
In fact, the question itself belittles the photographic contributions of all image makers of conflict. (Good god, this is not the Oscars!) Even talking about there being one, greatest war photographer (as in, “I vote for Robert Capa!”) overly romanticizes a photographic specialty that is not romantic at all. (Just check out what Don McCullin has to say on the topic.)
While Nachtwey’s brilliance as an image maker seems unquestionable, to me what makes him truly intriguing is his personality. This man has an intense charisma that is impossible to ignore, whether you are drawn to it or repelled by it. When you are in a room with him — craning your neck as you try to hear his soft words — he has the power of attraction that rivals the gravitational pull of a black hole.
I have seen Natchwey speak two times, and I feel like I’ve been on assignment with him, having watched “War Photographer,” the incredible documentary by Christian Frei. Continue reading “James Nachtwey’s Searing Words On War”
