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The Spoken Image

4 Extra Debut. Photographer Eamonn McCabe, curates pictures especially for radio, choosing ten images that move and inspire him. From 2015.

The photographer and former Picture Editor at The Guardian, Eamonn McCabe, curates a photo exhibition on the radio, featuring images that have moved and inspired him during a career which has spanned nearly 60 years.

Pictures by acclaimed war photographer Don McCullin and portrait photographer David Bailey remind Eamonn of his youth in North London. He talks to the British photographer Michael Kenna about the tricks of light and the merits of black and white versus colour prints. He also offers some very personal reflections on his colleague at the Observer, Jane Bown.

We hear from Joel Meyerowitz whose images of the aftermath of the attack on the World Trade Center in September 2001 offer a visceral example of photo reportage, despite being taken after the event. Joel's moving account, courtesy of The National September 11 Memorial and Museum, raises questions about whether it is right to make something aesthetic from something tragic.

Other photographers featured include French greats Willy Ronis and Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Hungarian colour specialist Nickolas Muray, the Observer sports photographer Chris Smith - famous for his pictures of Muhammad Ali, and the cult British photographer Raymond Moore.

(Photo credit: “Boats, Dingle" © Michael Kenna/Supervision New York)

Producer: Olivia Landsberg

A Whistledown production first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2015.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 30 Sep 2022 02:30

The Guvnors, Finsbury Park, London, 1958 © Don McCullin

The Guvnors, Finsbury Park, London, 1958 © Don McCullin

The Kray Twins, 1965 © David Bailey

The Kray Twins, 1965 © David Bailey

Mohammed Ali In Miami © Chris Smith/Popperfoto

Mohammed Ali In Miami © Chris Smith/Popperfoto

Le Nu Provencal, Gordes, 1949 © Willy Ronis/Rapho

Le Nu Provencal, Gordes, 1949 © Willy Ronis/Rapho

Soldiers of the Sky © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives

Soldiers of the Sky © Nickolas Muray Photo Archives

Anthony Blunt, 1979 © Jane Bown/The Observer

Anthony Blunt, 1979 © Jane Bown/The Observer

Automobile Delage, Circuit de Dieppe, 26 June 1912. Photograph by Jacques Henri Lartigue

Automobile Delage, Circuit de Dieppe, 26 June 1912. Photograph by Jacques Henri Lartigue
© Ministere de la Culture et de la Communication, France / AAJHL

Assembled panorama of the World Trade Center site, Fall 2001 © Joel Meyerowitz, courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery

Assembled panorama of the World Trade Center site, Fall 2001 © Joel Meyerowitz, courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery

Curraghs, Dingle, 1982 © Michael Kenna/Supervision New York

Curraghs, Dingle, 1982 © Michael Kenna/Supervision New York

Pembrokeshire, 1967 © Raymond Moore

Pembrokeshire, 1967 © Raymond Moore

Broadcasts

  • Mon 7 Sep 2015 16:00
  • Sun 21 Feb 2016 13:30
  • Thu 29 Sep 2022 14:30
  • Fri 30 Sep 2022 02:30

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See Eamonn McCabe's Favourite Images

See Eamonn McCabe's Favourite Images

Click here to view the images in all their splendour.

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