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Anthony Loyd on Don McCullin's shellshocked marine

Vietnam 50 years ago ? Another generation has been sent to die and be traumatised in an illegal war in Iraq. This time they made sure only poor kids went: no conscription.
 
I recall staring into his eyes on a poster sized print when Don McCullin had a major exhibition at the Barbican, possibly late 80s? It's a spectacular photo up close.
 
It’s behind a paywall unfortunately.

I saw a big McCullin exhibition a few years ago at Bradford. Incredibly moving. His photos from Cyprus and Africa were just as good. He’s one of the greats.
 
Thanks for the other link.

I went to the McCullin retrospective at Hauser & Worth in Bruton (McCullin lives nearby) a couple of years ago. It was pretty extraordinary, emotionally shattering. My partner couldn't take it, she had to go outside. From a discompassionate, photographer's point of view, the prints were something else, so deep and rich. Made me want to give up. You know you can't get close to work like that.
 
eternumviti said:
From a discompassionate, photographer's point of view, the prints were something else, so deep and rich. Made me want to give up. You know you can't get close to work like that.
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The exhibition at Bradford had a working print of the marine that he’d marked up with the dodging and burning instruction. A lot of work went into making them look like they do.
 
I’ve never managed to see a McCullin exhibition but was extremely lucky to find myself standing next to him at a Sebastiao Salgado exhibition in Bath a number of years back. Don was discussing the images with Sebastiao himself.
 
julifriend said:
I’ve never managed to see a McCullin exhibition but was extremely lucky to find myself standing next to him at a Sebastiao Salgado exhibition in Bath a number of years back. Don was discussing the images with Sebastiao himself.
Click to expand...

Now there's a conversation I'd have liked to earwig on.
 
Stunsworth said:
Now there's a conversation I'd have liked to earwig on.
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The first I knew they were there was when I heard Don speak and I can honestly say a shiver ran down my spine. I then turned to check I’d heard who I thought I’d heard and was staggered to see who he was talking to. Hero worship doesn’t come close.
 
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