Renowned photographer and social critic with a love for nature, Sebastião Salgado, has sadly passed away.
Renowned Photographer Sebastião Salgado Dies at 81
RIO DE JANEIRO - Sebastião Salgado, the Brazilian photographer renowned for capturing the human condition in war zones, refugee camps, and environments under threat, has died at the age of 81.
Known for his hauntingly beautiful black-and-white images, Salgado documented poverty, conflict, and displacement with a unique, unyielding empathy. His work took him to over 120 countries, documenting the global ramifications of labor, migration, and environmental degradation through his lens.
One of his most iconic images is of workers in the Serra Pelada gold mine in Brazil, perfectly composed in the mud amidst the hardest working conditions on earth. Even African refugees, holding a skeletal child, appear brilliantly composed in his images, hinting at the disturbing beauty beneath the misery he captured.
Before turning to photography, Salgado studied economics in São Paulo, but his career took a turn when he took up photography during a business trip to Africa in 1973. He went on to work for esteemed agencies such as Sygma, Gamma, and Magnum.
His work drew critical acclaim for the intimate, moving portrayal of the oppressed. Despite being branded an "aesthete of misery," Salgado's images underscored the profound humanity in even the most dire situations.
Salgado returned to Brazil in the late 90s and focused on nature photography, creating stunning landscape and animal images for the project "Genesis." He received numerous awards for his work, including the World Press Photo Award, the Grand Prix National de la Photographie, and the Prince of Asturias Award.
In 2019, he was honored with the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, becoming the first photographer to receive the award. His commitment to social causes extended beyond photography, as he worked with organizations such as UNICEF, Amnesty International, and Doctors Without Borders.
In a condolence note, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wrote, "Salgado did not just use his eyes and his camera to portray people, but also the fullness of his heart and his soul. Therefore, his work will continue to be a cry for solidarity, and a reminder that we are all equal in our diversity."
Salgado's legacy will endure as a testament to the power of empathy and the human spirit, inspiring generations of photographers with his unparalleled storytelling.
- Salgado's work, despite being labeled as an "aesthete of misery," underscored the profound humanity in even the most dire situations, shedding light on global ramifications of issues like labor, migration, and environmental degradation within the realm of environmental science.
- In his later years, Salgado, the renowned photographer, focused on nature photography, creating striking images of landscapes and animals for the project "Genesis", demonstrating a commitment to sustainability in home-and-garden and lifestyle choices that promote cleaner, greener living.
- Through his lifetime, Salgado worked with various humanitarian organizations such as UNICEF, Amnesty International, and Doctors Without Borders, using his camera to bring attention to the struggles of people around the world, contributing significantly to the field of environmental science and sustainable living.
