Ongoing controversy about project Before They Pass Away Jimmy Nelson is a British photojournalist and photographer. He is on a never-ending journey to document the tribes and indigenous people whose ways of life could soon be lost for ever. So far, Nelson has visited and photographed 35 endangered tribes in 44 countries for his project Before They Pass Away. Far from the work of a photojournalist shooting as he finds, the staged shots are highly stylised portrayals of ancient traditions. Endangered communities are photographed like Kate Moss (independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/before-they-pass-away-endangered-communities-photographed-like-kate-moss-9757549.html). Last week, Nixiwaka Yawanawa, an Amazon Indian, staged a protest outside the Atlas Gallery in London against its exhibition of a selection of photographs from Jimmy Nelson’s publication Before They Pass Away in conjunction with the organisation Survival International (survivalinternational.org/news/10442). Earlier this year Nelson’s project was already under the attack of Survival International’s director, Stephen Corry, for presenting a false and damaging picture of tribal peoples (truth-out.org/opinion/item/23986-turning-a-blind-eye-to-pure-old-vibrations). Nelson defended his work against the criticism of Survival International saying that every image is a subjective, creative document of the photographer. He admitted that he staged and directed the individuals, but said that it was done with their co-operation and consent (amateurphotographer.co.uk/photo-news/photographer-hits-back-at-tribal-images-baloney-attack-5823). What do you think? Have a look at some photos and let us know your opinion in the comment section.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:34:10 +0000