Book Corner - Sebastião Salgado
The world of photography has been graced with many remarkable talents, but few have the impact and lasting relevance of Sebastião Salgado. A Brazilian social documentary photographer and photojournalist, Salgado's work is a testament to the power of the lens in capturing the essence of human struggle and resilience.
Sebastião Salgado is widely acclaimed for his evocative black-and-white images presenting a stark yet deeply compassionate worldview. His ability to capture his subjects' raw emotions and harrowing experiences has earned him a place among the most influential photographers of our time.
“There are moments that you suffer a lot, moments you won't photograph. There are some people you like better than others. But you give, you receive, you cherish, you are there. When you are really there, you know when you see the picture later what you are seeing,” Sebastião Salgado.
Salgado's importance isn't confined merely to his impressive photographic skills; it's also attributed to the themes he tackles. He has dedicated his lens to illuminating some of the darkest corners of our world, highlighting issues such as labor, migration, and the environment.
Workers (1993): This project focuses on manual labor around the world, showcasing the dignity and toil of the working class.
Migrations (2000): Here, Salgado explores the mass movement of people across the globe, highlighting the human side of this global phenomenon.
Genesis (2013): In this series, Salgado turns his lens towards the natural world, capturing breathtaking landscapes and wildlife in their purity and splendor.
In his unique way, Salgado draws our attention to the pressing issues of our time, forcing us to confront the realities that many choose to ignore. His work is not only aesthetically captivating, but it is also a powerful commentary on the state of our world.
For more than two decades, Joseph L. Murphy has had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with people from all walks of life through photography. He has photographed presidents and heads of state, traversed the winding alleyways of the Fes Medina in Morocco, photographed the sprawling countryside and people that make up Argentina and covered events that have defined the U.S. Most recently, Murphy’s travels have taken him to Cambodia, Mexico, China, Vietnam and Ecuador.
He has spent the past 20 years specializing in agriculture photography for multiple organizations, publications and marketing projects.
A graduate of the University of Iowa, Murphy determined at an early age that his love of photography would shape his vision for life.