Unlike sex, i am not sure that war pictures sell particularly well. I think some war photographers are aware of this; Don McCullin at the Sunday Times could be a good example of these difficulties. Some of Salgado's work on extreme poverty caused by war would not be exhibited never mind sold in his earlier days. So many photographs that show the pain of the world do not have a ready paying audience.
I think the Time shots are superb. It is not that some of the photographs were difficult and dangerous to take (just because a shot is difficult to get does not necessarily make it a good shot). However in extreme conditions these photographers get consistently good results and this is the difference between an amateur and a top pro. Excellent composition, capturing that moment in time that tells a story, all completed in difficult situations - I think these are a few of the hallmarks of a Master.
I think we are all capable of taking a decent or an excellent photograph, but with Salgado, McCurry, McCullin and Stoddart is the sheer consistency of their excellence.
peter
-------------------- 'I only use a camera like I use a toothbrush. It does the job'
Don McCullin. The Destruction Business
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Re: Time - photographs of the year 2006
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