James Nachtwey

Ben Ehrensperger

James Nachtwey grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from Dartmouth College, where he studied Art History and Political Science (1966-70). He was highly influenced by the Vietnam War and the American Civil Rights Movement, this played a significant role in his decision to become a photographer. James Nachtwey worked on ships in the Merchant Marine were he taught himself skills and techniques in photography. He was an apprentice news film editor and a truck driver at the time.

In 1976, six years after he finished school, Nachtwey became a newspaper photographer in New Mexico. Soon after in 1980, James moved to New York were he became a freelance photographer for a local magazine. One of his first assignments which required him to travel abroad, was when he was covering the civil strife in Northern Ireland in 1981 during the IRA hunger strike. James Nachtwey grew a passionate interest in social issues and war photography. He travelled the world to work on photographic essays. James Nachtwey has been present for many significant events were he was able to capture an abundance of impacting and meaningful photographs. He was in New York when the twin towers fell in 2001, he was able to capture a series of photos which are now part of a well known collection. In 1994, Nachtwey was covering elections in South Africa, the first non-racial ones in decades. As an associate of the Bang-Bang Club, he was at the scene when Ken Oosterbroek was killed and Greg Marinovich was seriously injured. For years James Nachtwey has devoted himself to photographing world conflicts and war, he has built up a distinct style which has become recognizable all over the world.



This photograph was taken in Rwanda in1994. This is a survivor of Hutu death camp. I think that this photograph is visually and mentally impacting. In the photo you see a man with massive scars which trail across his face, he’s missing a chunk of his ear and has obviously struggled in the attempt to survive the Hutu death camp. I think that Nachtwey has really captured the reality of these camps and what unlucky individuals have to go through in order to survive. This photo is tremendously thought inducing, I think that makes this photo very powerful and well composed. I like to look at a photograph and have to think about the subject and meaning that the photographer was trying to portray.



Zimbabwe, 2000 - In a tuberculosis ward where the great majority of the patients suffer from AIDS. This is a photograph that James Nachtwey took in Zimbabwe of a aids patient. This photograph has a very journalistic feel to it. This man is frail and weak, needing to support himself as he walks through this hallway. I think that portrays Nachtwey’s style and is a great example of the impact that a disease such as aids, has all over the world.



New York, 2001 - Collapse of south tower of World Trade Center. This photo was taken by James Nachtwey of the south tower collapsing during 9-11. This is one of my favorite photographs by Nachtwey. I think the contrast between the surrounding buildings and the explosion from the collapsing building is a very visually impacting composition. He has captured the essence of that day. I think anther interesting aspect of this photo is the fact that the cross is visible from the near by church. I think that this makes the photo more powerful and religiously impacting.


This is a photograph that I took in Toronto. I think this relates to Nachtweys work because it addresses the world issue homelessness. This man was sitting in a street corner holding up this sign and asking strangers for money, the common activity of many homeless in Toronto. I think that this photo represents the severity and realization of how these people live on the streets. This young man holding this sign which is clearly a false statement is probably not the most affective way to collect money. I don't think that my photograph is as visually impacting as James Nechtweys, yet I think it still tells a story which relates to a common world issue.