If I didn't know before, I know now.
When I was younger, I loved nature photography. I would spend hours looking at images of different animals and even longer watching National Geographic. Not only was I mesmerized by the animals themselves, but the shots the photographers and videographers captured were equally mesmerizing. During high school, I pretty much abandoned my love for photography, believing it was just a hobby. I thought this until my sophomore year of college when I took a black and white film photography class and fell in love with the art all over again. I knew then I needed to take my passion for it more seriously. Because I love to write, I decided this year that I want to pursue photojournalism. I've had plenty of opportunities and practice to improve and publish my writing, so this semester was my last chance to get more photo practice in before graduation. I was thankful when my professor offered me a seat in her class which has given me more freedom over my photography and the opportunity to put my work in our school's museum the Berman. I have felt more like myself when I am preparing my art work and completing the process.
Still, in the back of my head I told myself that I had waited too late to make this a career; that I didn't have enough practice and had not networked for opportunities after graduation. I thought this until I had the opportunity to meet and have dinner with world-renown photojournalist, James Nachtwey. He has won numerous awards for his photographs of wars, conflicts, and social issues such as AIDS, famine, and other diseases all over the world in Europe, Asia, and Africa. His photos are haunting and moving. He has been shot, blown up, and has seen more death than the average American. Along with his inspiring work, is his inspiring story about how he started. Like myself, Nachtwey did not learn essential camera skills at the age of 12 or pursue photography in high school or even college. He was 33 when he was inspired by the photos of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War to take pictures like that. He was moved and wanted to move others. At 33 years old, that's when James pursued photography. He read books and practiced and began working for Time. Everything he learned was on the go.
James' humbleness and big heart for his work and the people he encounters on his trips is obvious. He was careful and truly invested in my work and the other students' work, asking questions and acknowledging our passion for our work. If I didn't know I could pursue photojournliams before, I do now; not because he liked it, because he was like me. Inexperienced and yet caring and passionate. He wanted to be a war photographer, and so he pursued it.
Here is a link to his TedTalk where he shows images he has taken all over the world and talks about his experiences and work: https://www.ted.com/talks/james_nachtwey_s_searing...
