Event: Aurora Forum at Stanford

On July 9th, Ed will be presenting his work in What Matters: Documentary Photography and Social Change, with David Elliot Cohen, Michael Watts, and Mark Gonnerman. If you are in the area (and even if you are not!) please join us for the presentation and discussion, beginning at 7:30 in the Annenberg Auditorium in the Nathan Cummings Art Building of Stanford University.
Please follow the link for complete information:

Aurora Forum: Stanford

Africa: Politics and Societies South of the Sahara

Ruben Eberlein's blog, Africa: Politics and Societies South of the Sahara, is updated frequently with information on issues surrounding Africa. His most recent post captures the importance and influence of Curse of the Black Gold in the review, linked below. Thanks for the recommendation, Ruben.

Ruben Eberlein's: Africa

Amnesty Attacks Oil Industry for Decades of Damage in Niger Delta

Nick Mathiason recently wrote an article for The Guardian UK about Amnesty International's publication of "serious human rights abuses caused by oil companies in the Niger Delta." The 141-page report by Amnesty singles out Royal Dutch Shell as being the most powerful operator in the region, thus most a fault here. Ed's photos are used in the article, as they were in the famous Shell V Wiwa trial, settled recently.
"Decades of pollution and environmental damage, caused by the oil industry, have resulted in violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, including food and water, violations of the right to gain a living through work and violations of the right to health," the report says.
It is refreshing to know that the world is finally holding these companies responsible. Spread the message, and read the article here:
TruthOut.org

Jordan Photo Camp

Ed just returned from seven weeks in the field! After the difficult weeks creating a video documentary in the Niger Delta, the National Geographic Photo Camp in Jordan was a wonderful, enriching and moving experience.

Since his return, Ed has been discussing what a honor, and how fulfilling it was to work with Iraqi, Palestinian, and Jordanian teens, with the help of International Medical Corps, an American NGO working with local health issues. He said that "to witness the power of photography, and tell these kids' stories, was an incredible experience."

Here are two links that help convey the power and importance of this camp:

Jordan Times

NPR: Triptychs, Technology And Ed Kashi's Archives

National Public Radio's Claire O'Neill did a wonderful piece on Three, just posted today.
Lots of great images, a multimedia piece, and a nice review complete with interview.

Here's the link:

NPR: Triptychs, Technology, and Ed Kashi's Archives

Portuguese Blog Shows Niger Delta work

There is a wonderful photo blog by Antero de Alda in Portugal, who has been gracious to post some of my work from my Niger Delta project, including a link to a multimedia piece. This kind of linking and exposure is still new to me and sometimes seems strange to continually expose your work in this way, but it also reflects the moment we're living in. Ultimately to have one's work exposed to new audiences around the world, in different languages is what's it's all about and in some way this trend reflects the decline of print media and the emergence of online sites, blogs, etc as the lingua franca for the photographic profession. Is this true? Stay tuned but the journey has become quite different, vastly challenging and quite exciting.

Here is the link:
Niger Delta

Shooting Video vs. Stills

I have just finished shooting a new film in the Niger Delta and this was my first time, in 9 years of shooting video, that I only shot video. It was an interesting experience and I've shared some of my thoughts, along with four other photographers on LiveBooks' RESOLVE blog site. Here is the link...

RESOLVE

Great Book Review on "Shvoong"

Here is a wonderful review of Curse of the Black Gold that was brought to our attention yesterday. Check it out:

Shvoong Review

Photo District News Asks...

Who Are the Most Influential Living Photographers?

PDN

THREE, the multimedia piece

I am thrilled to have my new book featured on the New York Times' blog, LENS, but I want to make sure people look at the moody and magnificent piece that my wife, Julie Winokur, produced as a multimedia companion for the book. The idea of triptychs that formed the book THREE grew from what was really an idea for a print. To transform that initial vision into book form took reinterpretation of the original idea. To create THREE the multimedia piece was a further interpretation of my original idea. Please take a look and if you like it, pass the link on. One of the musical pieces was created by our 11 year old daughter, Isabel, so I am proud of it on multiple levels. Watch, relax and let this piece take you somewhere else.

THREE

Connections of Life

Premiered in May 2009, at The New York Photo Festival, "Living Your Subjects" is a 4- minute piece created by Ed and produced by Elissa Mummolo of Talking Eyes Media. Through Ed's narrative words, the overlaps of life - the interconnectedness of professional work and personal experiences - are captured in compelling still images exploring the realities of aging.

Living Your Subjects

Kashi, Kashi, Kashi!!!

James Estrin's New York Times blog LENS showcases THREE today, June 19. The New York Times and excellence in photojournalism - DIVE IN!

LENS Photo Blog

THREE Book Launch at powerHouse

Thursday (Brooklyn, New York), July 16th, 7-9pm: Join us at The powerHouse Arena for the book launch party for THREE and the world-premiere screening of the multimedia piece, THREE, created by Julie Winokur/Talking Eyes Media, followed by a panel discussion and Q & A with Ed Kashi, Daryl Lang (Photo District News), and Sean Corcoran (Museum of the City of New York). Finish the night with a book signing.

Film Screening to begin at 7:30pm
For more information and directions:
powerHouse Book Launch

Shell v Wiwa film on Current TV

Here is a new short film made about the Shell vs Ken Saro-Wiwa trial recently held in New York. It was made by SaharaTV and is running on Current TV. Most of the stills are from my work in the Niger Delta.

The Struggle Continues-Shell v Wiwa

PopPhoto Link on Photographs That Made A Difference

Here is the PopPhoto link for their recent story on Photographs that make a difference. I was honored to have one of my Niger Delta images in their story.
PopPhoto.com

Where is Ed...?

...and what is he doing right now?

Currently in Jordan, Ed is instructing students at a National Geographic Photo Camp. Focusing on the youth of underserved communities worldwide, the workshops are meant to "...inspire young people to explore their communities through the camera's lens, and to share their vision..."

Take a sneak peek at Jim Webb's must watch Photo Camp Video that will soon be posted on National Geographic's website. Pure joy!

Also, check out International Medical Corps worker Margaret Aguirre's blog for insight from an additional member of the Photo Camp team.