Marcus Bleasdale - Eight Magazine

I have read the interview with Marcus Bleasdale in Eight Magazine.

Marcus Blesadale was a banker and gave it up to be a photographer.  A colleague asked how a particular event would effect the rate of the dollar - he was shocked at his thought process and he resigned.  Three days later he was trying to get into Kosovo...
He lived off savings for a while until he started to earn from his photographs.
He was asked .. do photo journalism and conflict go hand in hand ? He said no not at all, some of the most amazing photo journalism has nothing to do with conflict. Also Nursing / Doctor pictures or pictures of famine or of a natural disaster has nothing to do with conflict.

What is the appeal of Joseph Conrad?
He demanded the reader to look at their soul and ask questions about themselves.  Conrads work is about the shadows and guilt that rests in our minds.
Still no-one listening ??
The reasons for not continuing the media coverage became financial and the only ones who will benefit are the companies.  They limit the budgets for foreign news and concentrate on the lucrative celebrity market.  which is shocking and shameful.

Human Right Watch - need to target the audience who are directly or indirectly responsible for mining these regions.  They are turning a blind eye, this effected the gold market, which in turn gives no money for weapons - so it is making small changes.

Do you feel conflict between representing hardship and appropriate dignity ?
Its all about spending time with the family and gaining their trust and respect.  And offering them respect.  Evidence shows in the final image when you can see that the person concerned allow their photographs to be taken and at some very tricky and emotional times.
You have to try and show the world what is happening.

Its not about taking a particular image, you have to take lots and see what makes itself apparent.  Then once you have your selection of photograph you then edit and he edit to suit the NGO.

Heidi Brodners work from Chechnya has impacted on him, extremely sensitive.  Best set of images Sakura Lisi - best portrays the Congo - has managed to get desperation across with dignity.



The whole issue can be downloaded here ...

http://issuu.com/foto8/docs/vol4no3



And you can see the tear sheets of Bleasdales work here ....

http://viiphoto.wg.picturemaxx.com/id/00075419