Czech-born French photographer Josef Koudelka is best known for capturing the strength of the human spirit against dark landscapes and themes. Among his best work prior to joining Magnum Photos in 1970 include his documentation of the Romani people and the Soviet invasion of Prague. For these and many other documentary projects, he remains an influential figure for today’s photographers.
So, it’s not surprising that Tatiana Hopper put together the video above to share some of these lessons. She touches on Josef Koudelka’s beginnings as a photographer, and how the world discovered his talent. She also highlights his passion for deeply moving stories of humans against adversity. It’s a compelling introduction to his impact as a street and documentary photographer for the uninitiated.
One of the best insights that Hopper mentioned is how important for a creative to “identify those themes, issues, or ideas that are close to your heart in order to produce a meaningful piece or body of work.” Koudelka’s photos show not only that he empathizes with his subjects, but he also integrated himself into their daily lives. Another is how his later work shifted from human subjects to man’s impact on the landscape he touches.
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