Ted & James Nachtwey
Just jumping on the bandwagon here – on October 3, James Nachtwey who is arguably the most accomplished and celebrated photojournalist working today – will reveal a project that he has been working on thanks to a TED grant – being released simultaneously online, on media channels, and as images projected in public places. So spread the word. (Click on the “X” to the left..)
On a personal note, James has always been one of my favorite photographers and an amazing person to get to know. I met him just days after 9/11/01 in Quetta, Pakistan… I was stunned when he recognized my name as we were introduced (he read(s) The New York Times and likely recognized the byline from seeing it in the paper) but even more impressed with how humble and focused he was and still is. One of my favorite quotes from him – which is a quote that is pulled from a portfolio review that he was giving years ago to someone else – (after looking through that person’s portfolio quietly page by page, closing the book and making a single comment before concluding the review right then and there and moving onto the next student, is: “I’m afraid that these pictures don’t tell me anything about who you are.”
We spend a bit of time together in Pakistan as I helped him figure out what was then one of the very first prototype EOS 1D Cameras – and getting his satellite phone working with an antenna we placed on the roof of the hotel (running the wire down to his hotel room window – super high tech 😉
One of the best lessons I learned from him (there were many) is that while we were all drowning our sorrows late into the night (the press corps in Pakistan) mostly due to the overwhelming emotion / frustration / fear & uncertainty that followed 9/11/01 – Nachtwey would quietly decline to join us – going to bed early (or likely working on a book layout now looking back at what I know of his crazy work ethic.) By the time we were waking up to horrible light and hangovers – he was walking back into the lobby of the hotel… no matter how good you are, how developed your eye and vision are – discipline and adherence to the following axiom: “The early bird gets the worm…” helps even Mr. Nachtwey…
So the point of this rambling post is – I am really looking forward to seeing what he, along with the help of the folks at TED, have come up with… I wish them the very very best of luck – can’t wait to see what they’ve managed to pull off!
That is one of the most humbling movies I have seen. Thank you Vincent for sharing this with us!
It almost worked on me. Until I saw that AD at the end of the movie.
Ted & James Nachtwey, sounds like two brothers.
The ad at the end, did take away from the emotional connection developed through the movie. Though, with a prize, of 100,000 for a great photographer, to go and do his thing, it is understandable to have an ad
TED Talks is the most emotional show on science, belief, technology, art, etc… So brilliant people explaining their thoughts in 20min with such humility gives me shivers down my spine each time…
James Nachtwey started his talks confessing he’s the Invisible Man. I’ve got my answer on how he can be so close to the action… Is anybody knows what is his magic potion ?
Ted Talks are amazing.
The James Nachtwey talk was truly inspiring, emotional, and a life lesson to all of us who watch it a years ago.
And now, just waiting to see his new project.
Spread the word.
Thanks.
Thanks for the heads up!
I’m a huge fan of James, and cannot wait to hear about his new project!
He’s one of my all time favourite photographers. Apparently, he’s a great man as well. Looking forward to see his latest project.
Thanks.
After I watched his movie, I don’t like him so much.
I met him at the Vll seminar in London and he is an astonishingly humble man. His book Inferno is the only photo book I’ve looked at that reduced me to tears to the extent that I couldn’t look all the way through it.
Wow. Just watched that video. That’s impressive, amazing, saddening at all the same time. Looking forward to this project that’s going to be revealed in 2 days.
Szabi
Well, Nachtwey’s pictures are definately worth seeing. I have always liked his pictures. Seeing/hearing him speak, though, kinda made me dissapointed. But hey, interesting link nontheless! Also, I got curious about this project of his.
/saludos
Szabi Reply:
October 1st, 2008 at 8:31 am
Disappointed?! What do you mean?!
honto Reply:
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:10 am
I mean…
His pics are quite capturing. But he is not a good speaker in my eyes. His style of speaking does not make me want to keep listening. Nothing strange there, some people are good speakers, others not. That being said, if I could ever see him live, I’d probably go to see him! 🙂
we need 24/25p with the 5dmkii…..no just kidding 😀
i love everything about ted talks and James Nachtwey is no exception
It’s awesome to see that james nachtwey obviously understood how important digital media is nowadays. I’m very thrilled to see what he and TED will come up with!
Thanks for sharing this link Vincent! James has been a great teacher for me as well, although i never met him personally.
Every reason and every example he gave is what has driven me to want to become a photo journalist. I too feel that there is a story to be told, and at times the only honesty and truth you will get is from the pictures. I can’t wait to see what he comes out with.
I have found another photographer who inspires me. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.
thanks for sharing and i am also looking forward to seeing what is to come on the 3rd. he is one of my favorite photographers by far.
truely moving pictures. wow.
Vincent, do you have a TED wish?
Maybe he needed 100.000$ for a special 24/25p 5D MkII for his project ? 😉
I had the privilege of meeting him at a roundtable at Indiana University about a year and half ago. Hearing him speak was inspiring.
It’s hard for me to understand how someone who as witnessed as much as he has can still be as encouraged about life as he is. I want to be that kind of photographer… I want to be that kind of human being.
Thanks for sharing this video/link with us. It’s amazing to see somewhat so talented yet so down-to-earth and real in the spotlight.
Looking forward to the 3rd.
Thanks for sharing this video link with us, now I learn a new lesson.
Greate Quotes from Mr. Nachtwey
Wow, a story on a BMW that floats on water! That does need to be told. I just wish us poor photog’s could afford to drive one…
I saw him walking in SoHo a couple of weeks ago… I didn’t have the nerve to go up to him and talk to him and I’ve been regretting it since… damn!
Jason Reply:
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:22 am
Here’s a shot I got of Mr. Nachtwey outside Grand Central Terminal on Sept. 15, 2008. He was just as gracious and humble as I remembered him from the VII Seminar a few years ago I attended. http://flickr.com/photos/jasonsmith/2860454734/
Ever since I watched “War Photographer” back in 2004 or something, I have held Nachtwey in the highest position of regard among those photographers who I admire. Every photographic field that I am in, from wedding photography to landscape photography, pales in comparison to the work he does. I am always so inspired by his images, and I always wonder what it would have been like to take his path too…
=Matt=
I believe the project website to be XDRTB.ORG. The TED website hasn’t updated yet.
Amazing! Causecast finds James fascinating, and has featured him on the homepage of the site this week. Check out his profile here:
http://www.causecast.org/member/jamesnachtwey
Thanks for sharing. Your talk at this years Photo Plus was amazing.
James and yourself are great contributors.