Jason Lewis War Photographer Response

Nachtwey Mini-Analysis

Through his work as a photo-journalist, James Nachtwey demonstrates what it takes to achieve excellence in a given profession. He attacks his work with passion, diligence, patience and a laser-like focus. In the beginning of the film, War Photographer, fellow colleague, Christiane Amanpour, comments that it is the “single mindedness” that Nachtwey approaches his work with that allows him to capture the breathtaking images that he does. There are few people in this world that are able to “lock in” to their craft the way that Nachtwey does.

In War Photographer, we see Nachtwey taking pictures under some of the direst of circumstances. We watched him take pictures during exchanges of gun fire, explosives and chemical warfare. Yet throughout it all, he remains poised and focused on getting the shot. When people envision fearlessness, most do not envision someone like Nachtwey. He is soft-spoken and reserved, but there is nothing timid about him. During the film, one of Nachtwey’s colleagues says that what separates Nachtwey from other photo-journalists, is his instinct to run towards a tense or dangerous situation—where as it is natural for most people to distance themselves from danger. The scene where Nachtwey’s follows the angry mob that is chasing and torturing a man through the streets is particularly astounding. There were no guarantees that the mob wouldn’t lash out at him for taking pictures of them murdering the man. But, he has the uncanny ability to endear himself to the people that he photographs. He doesn’t try to talk them up and make them like him; he just quietly communicates to them that he is there to document their pain or anger.

Nachtwey’s pace is also incredible. He’s never in a hurry when he takes photos, no matter what the circumstances. And yet, he always gets the right photo. The greatest quality about Nachtwey is that his work is not motivated by the desire to garner notoriety for his work. He truly does what he does for the sake of true journalism. He wants the entire world to see the despair so many of its inhabitants must endure. He puts his life on the line in order to inspire people to remember the forgotten ones.