Oct 29, 2008
Nachtwey on Drug Resistant TB
I’ve been a fan of James Nachtweys images for a long time. I’m a fan of the documentary style and love photos that tell a story, even if, actually, especially, if that story is of hardship, unfairness or suffering. The truth images like this show spreads awareness, and with awareness there can be action. As Nachtwey puts it:
“I have been a witness, and these pictures are my testimony. The events I have recorded should not be forgotten and must not be repeated.”
Nachtwey spoke at TED 2007. He was one of the three prize winners and was awarded $100,000 and a wish to change the world (E. O. Wilson, another of my heroes, was also awarded a prize). His (21 minute) talk is below, and contains graphic images.
His wish:
“I’m working on a story that the world needs to know about. I wish for you to help me break it in a way that provides spectacular proof of the power of news photography in the digital age.”
Well, it took a while, but his wish was revealed in early October 2008 (also very graphic):
He has also established xdrtb.org, with the goal of creating awareness around extremely (or extensively) drug-resistant tuberculosis or XDRTB.
Incredible, moving images of a terrible disease.
