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Truth With a Camera Workshop Blog Where Will You Find Truth?
In their own words
Jesse Hutcheson
- Ismael, age 9, walks through the streets of Guadalajara, Mexico to CODENI.
The first night of actual shooting at TRUTH Guadalajara was one of the most humbling and awesome experiences of my life. After gaining the trust of the family I am photographing, my photo partner, Kevin Kovaleski, and I found ourselves being navigated around the city by nine-year-old Ismael and his younger cousin. We were relying totally on these young children to take us to our destination, crossing broken roads and pushing through the crowds of people who fill the sidewalks late in the afternoon. Finally, reaching the children’s family in a plaza where they were selling potato chips we realized that this was a journey these young children have taken time and time again. Its amazing how much responsibility has been placed on these children. Its a night I will never forget.
The first University of Missouri Photo Workshop, in 1949, was referred to as an “experiment in photographic education.” The director, Clifton C. Edom, had one rule: “Show Truth With A Camera.” No posing. No manipulation of the facts.
Cliff was influenced by Lewis Hine, Jacob Riis and the Farm Security Administration and their role in documenting social problems. Since that time thousands of photojournalists have educated us about war, hunger, violence and abuse around the world.
“Documentary photography”, wrote Cliff, “is the background, the roots, of modern photojournalism.” He spoke of the necessity to keep up with new technologies, but he emphasized the importance of ethics in documenting society and contributing to social justice.
Dr. Vme Edom Smith, Director and Secretary
The Edom Foundation for Photojournalism Education
Thank you, Jesse, for your dedication and preserverance throughout the week. Your photos are awesome and will be an incredible help to CODENI. Best of luck in Haiti and back in Newport News. Christopher Newport is truly fortunate to have such a talented, insightful photographer on staff. Keep in touch and let us know when you can come back to visit!
Dear Jessie,
My husband and I just recently met Ismael and his family in April. We too were quite impressed with his maturity, warmth and intelligence – just an incredibly responsible 9 year old. We are so fortunate to be his “padrinos” from here in the States, and loved your photos – congratulations on the beautiful work.