“Photography isn’t looking, it’s feeling” -Don Mcullin
Don McCullin is one of our best photographers in the world. Few have had such a long career; none of such diversity and critical praise. He has over the last 50 years demonstrated his unmatched skill as a photojournalist. At the same time he demonstrated an adorable artist able to arrange still life elegantly, heartfelt portraits and emotional landscapes. When I first glance at his photographs, I immediately feel the emotions of sorrow and pain, it depicts an interaction that evokes sentiments and a very intimate experience which speaks about his perspective on life.
Feelings emerge from within in photography, just as they do in reality. They reflect an attitude or a state of mind, and they convey a message. Evoking sentiments and emotions is the heart of photography. It might be subtle and concealed, or specific and apparent. As an artist, there is nothing more rewarding than creating an emotive work of art. It is simple to explain the significance of emotions. It is difficult to trace their origins.
Grenade Thrower, Huế, Vietnam, 1968: the Battle of Huế was one of the longest and bloodiest in the Vietnam War (Credit: Don McCullin/Tate)
Northern Ireland, The Bogside, Londonderry 1971: “It was inconceivable at the time that the violence would continue unabated for another 25 years” (Credit: Don McCullin/Tate)
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