Olhar, ver, compreender e fotografar | Alfredo Cunha | TEDxPorto

15 Aug 2024 (1 month ago)

A Photographer's Journey: Capturing Humanity and History

The speaker is a photographer who has worked for over 50 years, capturing images of people and their lives.
His photographs are a reflection of his humanist and politically-framed perspective.

The speaker discusses the impact of the Portuguese Colonial War on his life and photography.
He mentions photographing the war and a specific event that deeply affected him.
The speaker highlights the significance of the independence day of Mozambique and how it marked a turning point in his life.
He shares a story about the military cemetery in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, and how it was only after 1970 that families could afford to bring their deceased soldiers back home.
The speaker mentions a photo report he created with Luís Pedro Nunes for the Portuguese newspaper "Expresso" that led to the cemetery's rehabilitation.
He shows a photograph of Portuguese prisoners of war, emphasizing its rarity and the fleeting nature of the moment captured.
The speaker focuses on a photograph of soldiers heading into the bush, highlighting their youthful appearance and the agreement between the Portuguese army and the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) to avoid combat.
He discusses the Monument to the Discoveries in Lisbon, viewing it as a symbol of both departure and arrival.
The speaker presents a photograph of Portuguese people returning from Angola, specifically Luanda, via the air bridge.
He concludes by mentioning a personal experience on June 25, 1975, at the Machava Stadium in Mozambique, where he witnessed the lowering of the Portuguese flag and the raising of the Mozambican flag.

The speaker discusses the impact of witnessing historical events, such as the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique, and the liberation of political prisoners in Portugal.
They emphasize the importance of capturing these moments with authenticity and emotion, stating that they photograph with their soul, not just their camera.

The speaker expresses concern about the future of photography in a world with artificial intelligence and virtual reality, highlighting the need to preserve genuine experiences and emotions.
They compare photographers to writers who may write similar books despite their differences, suggesting that photographers often capture similar scenes.
The speaker criticizes cynicism in journalism and the tendency of commentators to know everything, advocating for genuine human connection and empathy in storytelling.
They acknowledge the difficulty of telling a story with a single photograph but express their commitment to doing so.

The speaker shares their experiences covering significant events, including the fall of the Communist regime in Romania and the civil war in Mozambique.
They mention the dangers faced by reporters, particularly in war zones, and the importance of their work in documenting these events.
The speaker concludes by mentioning their coverage of the Iraq and Syrian conflicts.
The speaker describes a traumatic experience in which he witnessed a bombing in 2003 in Assyria, Iraq.
He recounts the aftermath of the bombing, including photographing a soldier who was killed in the attack.
The speaker then discusses the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in refugee camps and the role of Western politics in creating the conflict.
He mentions photographing a refugee camp in Derbil, near Kabul, Afghanistan, and expresses concern about the conditions in which refugees are living.
The speaker also discusses his experiences photographing other conflicts, including the coup d'état in Guinea-Bissau, the civil war in Mozambique, and a revolt in Haiti.
He shares a story about a photograph he took in Haiti that was sold to an art gallery in New York, highlighting the commodification of suffering.

The speaker then transitions to discussing more positive experiences, including photographs of Portugal and a traditional cattle herding practice in Portugal.
The speaker discusses a collection of photographs that capture moments of happiness and hardship in Portugal.
One photograph depicts the last day of a shipyard in Porto, highlighting the end of an era.
Another photograph shows a woman caring for a child, emphasizing the dedication and love of mothers.

The speaker reflects on the challenges of distinguishing between reality and fiction in the modern world, citing the horrors of war and the need for hope.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of fighting for change and preserving freedom of expression, expressing concern about the erosion of these rights.

The speaker concludes by highlighting a photograph of Salgueiro Maia, a figure from the Portuguese Revolution, and emphasizes the need for positive role models and heroes in society.
The photograph depicts a return to freedom and a completion of a mission.
The subject of the photograph, Salir Maia, returned home and remained there, living a normal life.
The intervention of the artist Vil transforms the photograph into something more, attracting attention through its artistic intervention.
The speaker considers this photograph to be their legacy, a testament to their artistic vision.