Nachtwey’s TED Project released

This just goes to show you that photography is more than simply taking a picture; it’s doing so in such a way as to provoke emotions. It’s taking a picture to tell a story, to portray some feeling and to inspire. To inspire change, growth, and sometimes to inspire other photographer’s to do the same. In my opinion James Nachtwey, and you Vincent, have an understanding of this concept. You truly inspire me to tell my story, to be a better photographer. Thank you for your wonderful insights and imagery! Keep up the good work.
~Thomas, Student of Photography

I still can’t believe that Esquire’s 75th edition didn’t have a single photographer in their list of most influential people. It’s photos like these that also make a difference in the world.

Amazing pictures of our scary world.

Does anyone know what song is playing?

Sometimes you just cannot believe that this is actually happening on the same planet we use to live on…it seems so surreal and far away from what we know. Waiting for Nachtway’s work was really worth the time

They usually refer to XDR Tuberculosis as “Extensively Drug Resistant” Tuberculosis and MDR Tuberculosis as “multidrug resistant Tuberculosis”. Having a larger population of people who are immunodeficient such as HIV positive people in later stages, Transplant recipients on systemic Prednisone, Cancer patients whose bone marrow has been decimated by chemotherapeutic drugs complicates things. The first line drugs 1. Isoniazid (INH) (prodrug which impedes synthensis of mycolic acid and causes loss of acid fastness) 2. Rifampin (inhibits RNA polymerase initiation by binding to the Beta subunit of prokaryotes) are given together because the tuberculosis organism will not be substantially eliminated alone. This leaves the TB that was not susceptible to the antibiotics. This is the definition of MDR tuberculosis. Public health methods such as prevention, TB testing, monitoring wild organisms for susceptibility to antibiotics, treatment compliance, are essential for success with the presence of a large immunodeficient population. So many times isloationism, ethnocentrism, and even local politics cripple public health efforts. Great photo journalism along with non profit grass roots efforts can be a savior. I thank James Nachtwey for his dedication and great work. Thank you.

Powerful stuff. TB isn’t particularily expensive to treat, at least from a drug standpoint. Unfortunately, it isn’t something that can be treated rapidly- it requires dedicated compliance with multiple medications. Unfortunately, many developing countries’ health system are not up to the large logistical task of treating TB, nor its principal enabler, HIV. The solution to this problem is essentially developing a public health infrastructure that works in many developing countries.

I hope everyone has seen “War Photographer” by now. It is life-changing…

=Matt=