James Nachtwey: An Opportunist or An Opportunity



nachtweyThis weekend I became somewhat frustrated with the photographic community. To be more precise; I became frustrated with a small, vocal, fraction of the photographic community. Attention was drawn to a blog post by an associate of James Nachtwey. Nachtwey, if you don’t know, is one of today’s premier war photographers. He is a turn-of-this-century version of Robert Cappa. The man is a virtual legend in photojournalism spheres. This past weekend Jamie Rose an international freelance photographer based in Washington, D.C wrote a blog post stating that James Nachtwey was looking for an intern. Now you would think, young wannabes photojournalist would jump at this opportunity. The requirements for this position were short but detailed. At first read the list seemed intimidating. But after reading it over again I realized the list was specialized, but not that difficult to find in today’s photographic world. Here is what he asked for:

“Typically we ask for a 2-3 day, 3 month commitment. Tasks vary from day-to-day, and while some might be menial, all are vital to the running of very busy and small studio. The candidate should be well versed in Photoshop (non-destructive editing, layer masks, spotting) and the ability to use a Wacom tablet would be a big asset. Some knowledge of digital asset management and basic office skills would be valuable as well. School credit is available if applicable.”

Here is the catch: it is an unpaid internship. Now what could be wrong with an internship like this? In my mind nothing. I remember in university looking through the posted journalism internships and wishing for a paid internship. They were few and far between. But, the fact that it is unpaid seem to bother a whole host of photographers and blog readers. They seem to think an unpaid internship was tantamount to slavery. Seriously, one person actually wrote, “at one time slavery was common & legal. Doesn’t make it right. We’re judged by what we do in spite of what is common.” Please, give me a break.

Let’s put this in perspective. James Nachtwey could actually put an ad in any photographic magazine or any publication, for that matter, and tell people he’s charging X-thousand dollars to allow someone to come and work with him three days a week for three months. A workshop of sorts. He would get it in a heart beat. But here, he’s offering to allow some young upstart to work with him in his studio for three days a week for several months and to soak up his knowledge and experience and people are griping and complaining that it should be a paid internship and that he is some sort of slave master. This is ridiculous.

I remember years ago during my father complained that these “young people today” expect things to be handed to them right out of college. I remember when there was a big fuss how graduates could not get jobs that paid them enough money to buy a new house right out of university. My dad told me how long it took him to buy a nice home. His point: people don’t want to work anymore. I think this may be what’s happening here. I don’t think these photographers are hungry. I mean really hungry to learn and to sit at the feet of masters of the craft. This I think, is where the democratization of photography through the digital medium has hurt us. We’re all equal. Well I got news for you, we’re not. There are good photographers out there and there are great photographers out there and there are crappy ones. The 5D MKII in everyone’s hands doesn’t make anyone a great photojournalist or even a good photographer. There are hungry photographers out there that will work for nothing for a time and then there are others that will sit back and wait for opportunity to come to them. I put my money on the hungry ones.

Yes, it would be nice if it was a paid internship. But give me a big fat stinking brake break, it’s three stinking days a week with one of the worlds best photojournalists and people want to turn that down because they want 15 bucks an hour. It’s time, to wake up and smell the developer. It’s a cold cruel world out there; you want to get good at your craft ? You better take everything that comes your way and stop your complaining and start packing your lunch and tightening your belt.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 12:31 pm and is filed under Opinion, Photographers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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  • tonyrath

    Regardless of whether it is defined as a “job”, “internship”, “slavery” or whatever, why is there even an argument? If you don't like it, don't apply. Where do we as photographers get off passing judgment on what others offer? It may be the perfect opportunity for someone, let them take it.

  • tonyrath

    Nice.

  • tonyrath

    Nice.

  • http://mitchellktravelphoto.wordpress.com/ Mitchell Kanashkevich

    Wow! A lot of opinions here. Insults are way out of line – yes. My thought is that the world is changing. Internships for photogs are a somewhat old-fashioned concept, but I don't feel they're bad, even if unpaid, but you do have to be in a financial position to afford one in that case.

    Working your butt off for Jim and not getting paid for it may be unfair, but if you get knowledge in return then it's great. If you can throw countless questions at him about whatever you want, that would make it worth it. It could be one of the most valuable career experiences one can possibly have, as some have said it would be similar to a workshop.

    I have read in the original post though that people had bad experiences as interns for Jim, that of course would really suck, but there is no real solid evidence, so we have to believe in Jim's integrity.

    The bottom line is Jim has been a very successful photographer. Like him or not, there is always a benefit in being around successful people and trying to understand how they got to where they are. There are other ways of becoming successful so if someone doesn't like the internship idea, no one is forcing you – find your own path.

  • http://mitchellktravelphoto.wordpress.com/ Mitchell Kanashkevich

    Wow! A lot of opinions here. Insults are way out of line – yes. My thought is that the world is changing. Internships for photogs are a somewhat old-fashioned concept, but I don't feel they're bad, even if unpaid, but you do have to be in a financial position to afford one in that case. Working your butt off for Jim and not getting paid for it may be unfair, but if you get knowledge in return then it's great. If you can throw countless questions at him about whatever you want, that would make it worth it. It could be one of the most valuable career experiences one can possibly have, as some have said it would be similar to a workshop. I have read in the original post though that people had bad experiences as interns for Jim, that of course would really suck, but there is no real solid evidence, so we have to believe in Jim's integrity.The bottom line is Jim has been a very successful photographer. Like him or not, there is always a benefit in being around successful people and trying to understand how they got to where they are. There are other ways of becoming successful so if someone doesn't like the internship idea, no one is forcing you – find your own path.

  • William Sessions

    Had Jim or his studio placed this as a call for a volunteer (not an intern), there would be no question about the arrangement. Law firms use volunteer lawyers all the time. By placing an advertisement for what is normally a paid position, they did cross a line.But in any case, reading the posts brings up the old Malcolm Forbes adage, “the higher you are on the mountain, the stronger the wind.” Unfortunately, digital photography and photoshop seem to have empowered any schmuck with a camera to imagine themselves a “photojournalist.” What is particularly disturbing is that they didn't get the memo – you can't make a living anymore as a photojournalist.

  • William Sessions

    Had Jim or his studio placed this as a call for a volunteer (not an intern), there would be no question about the arrangement. Law firms use volunteer lawyers all the time. By placing an advertisement for what is normally a paid position, they did cross a line.

    But in any case, reading the posts brings up the old Malcolm Forbes adage, “the higher you are on the mountain, the stronger the wind.” Unfortunately, digital photography and photoshop seem to have empowered any schmuck with a camera to imagine themselves a “photojournalist.” What is particularly disturbing is that they didn't get the memo – you can't make a living anymore as a photojournalist.

  • http://mitchellktravelphoto.wordpress.com/ Mitchell Kanashkevich

    Hey, that was awesome, thanks for sharing!

  • http://mitchellktravelphoto.wordpress.com/ Mitchell Kanashkevich

    Hey, that was awesome, thanks for sharing!

  • iomarch

    It's called taking the initiative and asking questions. They don't state that they will teach the intern anything, but I assume they would not be so cruel as to refuse to answer any sort of question.

  • iomarch

    It's called taking the initiative and asking questions. They don't state that they will teach the intern anything, but I assume they would not be so cruel as to refuse to answer any sort of question.

  • CPlante

    CF, I was thinking the same thing. James went wrong in offering unpaid internship. He should of offered a workshop in which a participant pays him $1200 per week. ;) Seriously, people pay good money to spend time with good pro photographers. They pay for workshops, mentoring, and such. I think 2-3 days a week is a good compromise allowing the “intern” 4-5 other days of the week to work a paying job to feed and house themselves. I have a difficult time with any full-time internship. To me, it's financial segregation. The regular guy/gal cannot afford to offer a full week unpaid. They need to feed and house themselves somehow. That means, perhaps, that there is good talent out there that just can't afford to take a full-time internship. The movie “Pursuit of Happiness” comes to mind. Interns should not be homeless. They need to put in their time but they should also have the basic neccessaties such as food and shelter. Anyways, that's my two bits.

  • CPlante

    CF, I was thinking the same thing. James went wrong in offering unpaid internship. He should of offered a workshop in which a participant pays him $1200 per week. ;)

    Seriously, people pay good money to spend time with good pro photographers. They pay for workshops, mentoring, and such. I think 2-3 days a week is a good compromise allowing the “intern” 4-5 other days of the week to work a paying job to feed and house themselves.

    I have a difficult time with any full-time internship. To me, it's financial segregation. The regular guy/gal cannot afford to offer a full week unpaid. They need to feed and house themselves somehow. That means, perhaps, that there is good talent out there that just can't afford to take a full-time internship. The movie “Pursuit of Happiness” comes to mind. Interns should not be homeless. They need to put in their time but they should also have the basic neccessaties such as food and shelter.

    Anyways, that's my two bits.

  • CPlante

    Time got a $30 cover because there are a giga-zillion amateurs out there with decent digital cameras creating fantastic images. Since the hobby is subsidized by a “day job”, it affords them to sell a photo for cheap. The thrill is getting published.btw, I like the “frightened animal” analogy.

  • CPlante

    Time got a $30 cover because there are a giga-zillion amateurs out there with decent digital cameras creating fantastic images. Since the hobby is subsidized by a “day job”, it affords them to sell a photo for cheap. The thrill is getting published.

    btw, I like the “frightened animal” analogy.

  • http://www.pdgoodman.com/ Paul G

    Amen. Many, many, many top tier internships are unpaid. It's a shame that Nachtwey isn't offering a stipend of some sort, but there are a million ways to earn enough money on the side to support yourself while spending three months applying your knowledge to a collection of work from one of the greatest photographers in the world — while learning. Ever heard of university? Remember paying for those classes? I guarantee you'll learn more with JN.

  • http://www.pdgoodman.com/ Paul G

    Amen. Many, many, many top tier internships are unpaid. It's a shame that Nachtwey isn't offering a stipend of some sort, but there are a million ways to earn enough money on the side to support yourself while spending three months applying your knowledge to a collection of work from one of the greatest photographers in the world — while learning. Ever heard of university? Remember paying for those classes? I guarantee you'll learn more with JN.

  • Jeff Donovan

    Sounds like supply and demand. Unfortunately for photographers, with digital cameras and the ease of traveling today, the supply of photographers and good images is increasing and with the weak economy and death of print media the demand is decreasing.I predict this trend will only continue in the future.

  • Jeff Donovan

    Sounds like supply and demand. Unfortunately for photographers, with digital cameras and the ease of traveling today, the supply of photographers and good images is increasing and with the weak economy and death of print media the demand is decreasing.

    I predict this trend will only continue in the future.

  • http://www.sephi.com/ Sephi Bergerson

    I saw those comments as well. could not agree with you more on this issue. It seemed for a second like a legitimate cry and a moral question about Nachtway as a person, but when you consider the opportunity it is really nothing to cry about. It is not meant for someone who needs to support a family, but for a beginner who is looking for a fantastic opportunity to learn form on of the best out there. Shame it came to this kind of remarks.

  • http://www.jamiepang.com Jamie Pang

    Agree whole heartedly with your sentiments, Matt.

  • Cathy Platin

    I SO agree. What I would give to learn from a man like James Natchwey! Just being around him would be quite an honor. If I were 20 years younger, I'd apply. Now I just get to be in awe of his images in INFERNO and the tremendous contribution he is making to photojournalism.

  • http://photographybytimkruth.blogspot.com/ Tim Kruth

    As as an amateur photographer who simply has put his camera out there, I have seen the easy greed in making money for pictures. The more I think of the subject, makes me more perturbed about the issue. I'm glad he made it without pay, because it will draw a photographer who really should reap the benefits of such an internship, namely someone less greedy.

  • http://photographybytimkruth.blogspot.com/ Tim Kruth

    As as an amateur photographer who simply has put his camera out there, I have seen the easy greed in making money for pictures. The more I think of the subject, makes me more perturbed about the issue. I'm glad he made it without pay, because it will draw a photographer who really should reap the benefits of such an internship, namely someone less greedy.

  • http://nellleo.com/ nelly

    i did unpaid internships all throughout uni (in the field of marketing & adverts). It was very much labour intensive and slave-like at times. We called it “co-op”.
    Three years later, the experience I got there is much more valuable than anything I've learned whilst getting paid.

    I think it's a great model, in any field, and surely those that take advantage of it reap the benefits along the way.

  • http://thedigitaltrekker.com Matt Brandon

    Thanks for your input. Always good to hear a personal testimony of sorts.

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  • http://www.felines4us.com Kittens

    Congratulation James Nachtwey. I think that you can get it by taking a good plan. Welcome you for future.

  • http://www.andreasphoto.ca Andreas

    What is the issue? UN Paid Internships are common place in MANY industries, including advertising, PR, music biz..what’s the big deal? Heck, if he called me I’d go for free ..what is the issue?

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