The goal is not to change your subjects, but for the subject to change the photographer. ~Author Unknown
David Bathgate: Climate Change:Bangladesh
As I was preparing to wrap up our blog posts for August, I sent a few questions to David as usual. In his reply, he added a small note: “I’ll be leaving for Africa on 3 Sept. to cover the famine in the Horn of Africa for World Food Program and Doctors without Borders.” That’s David.
His assignments have taken him all over, especially into Afghanistan, Bangladesh and a favorite of his, Istanbul.
David Bathgate: Sacred and Secular Istanbul
As David heads off to Africa, I will be heading off for an extended break to explore the world of iPhonegraphy so I thought this would be a perfect moment to publicly thank him for the opportunity it has been to work for him and his projects at TCI. David is an inspiration and mentor for many photographers. One of those, the superb GMB Akesh wrote a wonderful article about David on his blog which you can see here.
As David’s student, whenever I study his work, I am inspired by his respect and feeling for his subjects, his dedication to the art of photography and his deep passion for the craft. In short, I simply just love to look at his work.
David Bathgate: Afghanistan:Land, People
David’s respect for humanity, so clear in his images, extends to his interactions with those who work with him. No matter what I have suggested to him, David has always treated it with the utmost respect.
Surveying nearly the year spent here, I see that I have gained an immense amount of knowledge, many contacts, and a chance to write about other photographers and perhaps help to get a tad more exposure for them too. I especially want to mention Gina Genis who practically wrote two of my early posts. Thanks Gina.
On another note, as I was writing this post, I saw a new FaceBook post from Lisa Wiltse, one of TCI’s instructors stationed in New Zealand. She has posted a link to a very dramatic set of images shot for the Winter Games in NZ. I looked more closely and yep…shot with an iPhone. Amazing images.
I will be looking for news and stories from David’s assignment in Africa. Most of all I wish him safe journeys to and from Africa.
Information about all of TCI programs are found here.
Be sure to visit David Bathgate’s Website
