1 hr 38 min
Beyond the Frames: Eli Reed's Legacy in 'The Long Walk-Photojournalism Surf Soup Talk Story
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- Arts
Welcome, listeners, to another compelling episode of Surf Soup Talk Story. Today, we have the distinct honor of diving into the extraordinary life and lens of a true titan in the world of photojournalism – the one and only Eli Reed.
For over five decades, Eli Reed's camera has been a witness to history, capturing the face of racism and documenting the raw human suffering in conflicts across the globe. From the streets of Beirut to the heart of Central America, he has been a visual storyteller, unveiling the harsh realities that words alone cannot convey.
His illustrious career reached a pinnacle with the much-acclaimed photographic record of the aftermath of George Floyd's 2020 murder in Minneapolis and Floyd's funeral in Houston, Texas. Eli Reed is not just a photographer; he is a storyteller, a historian, and a compassionate observer of the human condition.
Today, we sit down with this living legend to unravel the stories behind the lens, the lessons learned from a lifetime of documenting history, and the unwavering commitment to truth through the art of photography.
Eli Reed’s Biography
For half a century, photojournalist Eli Reed's photography has captured the face of racism and documented human suffering in conflicts around the world. He has photographed deprivation from Beirut to Central America, and filmed the Lost Boys of Sudan, young men Reed described as "living through life-threatening hell." In 1986, his images chronicled the coup against Haitian President "Baby Doc" Duvalier; in 1989, he captured the U.S. military action that led to the downfall of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega; and in 1992, he documented political upheaval in Kinshasa, Zaire. In the United States, his eyes have been focused on the evils of racism, his photographs exposing truth in ways that words cannot always express.
His long career of documentary work culminated in his much-acclaimed photographic record of the aftermath of George Floyd's 2020 murder in Minneapolis and Floyd's funeral in Houston, Texas. Reed was a 1983 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, became a full member of Magnum Photos in 1988, and retired in 2021 after teaching for 17 years as a clinical professor at The University of Texas at Austin. He has received many awards and achievements including most recently, the National Press Photographers Association Joseph A. Sprague Memorial Award (2020), Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award (2021), and the I.F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence (2021).
Artist Statement
I came into the world as a priest once said, “a child of god,” and I was curious from the beginning about what made us different. The time that I was growing up the Vietnam war was going on, the Civil Rights movement was very important, and even with all that, I loved the idea that it was a beautiful world and yet innocent people were being hurt in all kinds of ways, because of greed, evil, and the lack of understanding that every person on this planet is worth being respected. I went from using a paintbrush to using a camera to see with my eyes what was going on in the world. And I’ve never lost touch with that. I’ve dropped a lot of things behind, but never the urge not to say something and sit on the sidelines.
-Eli Reed
Eli’s website
Magnum Photos Profile
Long Walk Home book
With This Light documentary
💜 Thank you to Lauren Gerson
Dedication:
In loving memory of Jimmy Stewart and with everlasting gratitude to Terri Stewart, who were my second set of parents.
In the city of Los Angeles, where the sunsets paint memories and the city lights tell stories, I dedicate this podcast episode to my dear second parents, Terri and Jimmy Stewart.
Though Jimmy has gone on to play with the saints, his spirit remains an indelible part of our lives. His laughter echoes in the corridors of our memories, and his love continues to inspire us every day.
Love, Eli
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/su
Welcome, listeners, to another compelling episode of Surf Soup Talk Story. Today, we have the distinct honor of diving into the extraordinary life and lens of a true titan in the world of photojournalism – the one and only Eli Reed.
For over five decades, Eli Reed's camera has been a witness to history, capturing the face of racism and documenting the raw human suffering in conflicts across the globe. From the streets of Beirut to the heart of Central America, he has been a visual storyteller, unveiling the harsh realities that words alone cannot convey.
His illustrious career reached a pinnacle with the much-acclaimed photographic record of the aftermath of George Floyd's 2020 murder in Minneapolis and Floyd's funeral in Houston, Texas. Eli Reed is not just a photographer; he is a storyteller, a historian, and a compassionate observer of the human condition.
Today, we sit down with this living legend to unravel the stories behind the lens, the lessons learned from a lifetime of documenting history, and the unwavering commitment to truth through the art of photography.
Eli Reed’s Biography
For half a century, photojournalist Eli Reed's photography has captured the face of racism and documented human suffering in conflicts around the world. He has photographed deprivation from Beirut to Central America, and filmed the Lost Boys of Sudan, young men Reed described as "living through life-threatening hell." In 1986, his images chronicled the coup against Haitian President "Baby Doc" Duvalier; in 1989, he captured the U.S. military action that led to the downfall of Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega; and in 1992, he documented political upheaval in Kinshasa, Zaire. In the United States, his eyes have been focused on the evils of racism, his photographs exposing truth in ways that words cannot always express.
His long career of documentary work culminated in his much-acclaimed photographic record of the aftermath of George Floyd's 2020 murder in Minneapolis and Floyd's funeral in Houston, Texas. Reed was a 1983 Nieman Fellow at Harvard University, became a full member of Magnum Photos in 1988, and retired in 2021 after teaching for 17 years as a clinical professor at The University of Texas at Austin. He has received many awards and achievements including most recently, the National Press Photographers Association Joseph A. Sprague Memorial Award (2020), Gordon Parks Choice of Weapons Award (2021), and the I.F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence (2021).
Artist Statement
I came into the world as a priest once said, “a child of god,” and I was curious from the beginning about what made us different. The time that I was growing up the Vietnam war was going on, the Civil Rights movement was very important, and even with all that, I loved the idea that it was a beautiful world and yet innocent people were being hurt in all kinds of ways, because of greed, evil, and the lack of understanding that every person on this planet is worth being respected. I went from using a paintbrush to using a camera to see with my eyes what was going on in the world. And I’ve never lost touch with that. I’ve dropped a lot of things behind, but never the urge not to say something and sit on the sidelines.
-Eli Reed
Eli’s website
Magnum Photos Profile
Long Walk Home book
With This Light documentary
💜 Thank you to Lauren Gerson
Dedication:
In loving memory of Jimmy Stewart and with everlasting gratitude to Terri Stewart, who were my second set of parents.
In the city of Los Angeles, where the sunsets paint memories and the city lights tell stories, I dedicate this podcast episode to my dear second parents, Terri and Jimmy Stewart.
Though Jimmy has gone on to play with the saints, his spirit remains an indelible part of our lives. His laughter echoes in the corridors of our memories, and his love continues to inspire us every day.
Love, Eli
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/su
1 hr 38 min