From 1986-1992, Sebastião Salgado travelled across the globe documenting the end of the first big Industrial Revolution and the demise of manual labour. The result was the classic tome, Workers: An Archaeology of the Industrial Age. The book presented six essential chapters: Agriculture, Food, Mining, Industry, Oil and Construction.
The striking black & white images are an eclectic odyssey, from Russian car factories to the beaches of Bangladesh. Collectively, the book delivered a masterclass in photographic technique – content and contrast, lighting and composition. It is testament to the best attributes of the power of photography and what can be achieved through collaboration between subject, sponsor, publisher, editor, colleagues, friends and family.
Thirty years on from its first publication in 1993 and now republished by Taschen, Workers still resonates, perhaps more so as the world’s population is increasingly sucked into a screen/computer/robot-led existence. To mark the anniversary and the book’s republication, we ask leading figures in photography about the significance of Workers, Salgado’s importance and his influence on their craft, and their favourite of his images from this important book.
Andy Greenacre
Director of Photography, The Telegraph Magazine / Telegraph Luxury
‘There are a great many photographs by Sebastião Salgado that have attained iconic status within the canon of his works, but from Workers I have chosen what might, at first glance, seem a more prosaic image. Shot in 1990 at the Brest military shipyard in France, this picture of a welder, shown above, works on several levels.
This story is from the April 23, 2024 edition of Amateur Photographer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 23, 2024 edition of Amateur Photographer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
APOY Inspiration
If youre planning to enter our Urban Life round, take note of these tips from three of last year’s top ten photographers
Specs versus design
It’s a common ailment for a particular type of photographer to be obsessed by specifications.
Urban light
Rod Lawton demonstrates two editing techniques to intensify and dramatise the light in your urban life photography for striking scenes
New Fujifilm GFX100S II - affordable medium format
Fujifilm has unveiled a new, relatively affordable medium-format camera, the Fujifilm GFX100S II.
Northern souls
Two years after a major retrospective that was intended to be his swansong, Ian Beesley is back with a new exhibition for the fans who still want more.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
With a large sensor, four lenses and Leica backing, is this the best smartphone for photographers?
Fight club
How to capture the key moments when garden birds take to the air and go to war. Andrew Fusek Peters shares his set-up and techniques which are crucial to capture both flight and fight action
Canon finally opens up RF mount
SIGMA is releasing six APS-C lenses for Canon EOS RF mount, thus widening the choice of glass for Canon’s previously ‘closed’ RF system.
Tony Kemplen on the.Leidolf Lordomat
A camera made in Germany in the early 1950s and discovered at a charity shop
Stories from the heart
Kenyan fine art photographer Thandiwe Muriu has a gift that she was encouraged by her parents to explore from a young age.