James Nachtwey is one of the best documentary photographers of our times. He grew up in Massachusetts and has studied Art History and Political Science in Dartmouth College. What moved him to become a photographer were images from the Vietnam War and the American Civil Rights movement. Along the way, James worked aboard ships in the Merchant Marine and he was an apprentice news film editor while he was learning photography by himself.
James was devoted to document all kinds of conflicts and social issues. He worked in developed broad essays in South America, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
Nachtwey has an extensive curriculum and he worked for Times Magazine, has been associated with Black Star from 1980 until 1985 and was a member of Magnum until 2001. His work has been exhibited in several different places like San Diego, Lisbon, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, etc. Also several honours were given to him, being the Magazine Photographer of the Year seven times and getting a World Press Photo and Leica Award twice, among others.
I have chosen the picture ‘Indonesia, 1998 – A beggar washed his children in a polluted canal’ because of its impact and strength. This picture is not only a social portrait of poverty, physical dysfunction and environmental issues, but also political. Somehow this picture also shows the love and care that is always present, no matter what circumstances a parent is into.
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