Ed Kashi Wins Unicef Photo of the Year Award

Ed Kashi Wins Unicef Photo of the Year Award

Photograph by Ed Kashi.

A poignant image of a disabled young girl, hobbled by the after-effects of the American military’s use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, has won the Unicef Photo of the Year Award. Ed Kashi, who was recently a guest of Marc’s on Advancing Your Photography, is the winning photographer.

It may have ended in 1975, but repercussions from the war in Vietnam are still effecting the Vietnamese today. Like nine-year-old Nguyen Thi Ly. According to official estimates, she is one of nearly 1.2 million children left disabled by toxic substances left over from the deadly herbicide Agent Orange.

Kashi’s photograph captures not just the horrors of war, but also its lingering, multi-generational suffering. His work with charities like Children of Vietnam, which helps the families of Vietnam War veterans by providing education, medicine and therapy for disabilities, is built upon this idea. Through photographs we can make this a better world.

“I deeply believe in the power of still images to change people’s minds,” Kashi says. “To me, this work is about making the world a better place, and as journalists we can only do that with the cooperation of NGOs (non-government organizations) and charities like Children of Vietnam.”

During his interview with Marc Silber on AYP, Ed gave us insight into what it takes to create an image as moving as his Unicef award-winner. He talked about achieving “candid intimacy” with the people he photographs, and that the key to becoming a great photographer isn’t about merely keeping your eyes open … you have to keep an open heart too.

Everyone at Silber Studios sends their congratulations as Ed Kashi wins Unicef Photo of the Year Award. To see more of his tips on how to improve your photography, check out his interview with Marc here.