Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images

Conservation Rangers from an anti-poaching unit work with locals to evacuate the bodies of four mountain gorrillas killed in mysterious circumstances in the park, Virunga National Park, Eastern Congo, 24 July 2007. A silver-back alpha male, the leader of the group was shot, three females were also killed.

In the latest Getty Images podcast, Getty Images CEO and Co-Founder Jonathan Klein recently talked with staff photographer Brent Stirton to discuss how Brent uses photojournalism not only to tell powerful stories but to prompt change.

Brent is a senior staff photographer for Reportage by Getty Images. He specializes in documentary work and he is renowned for his humanitarian efforts around the world. His images not only earn highly acclaimed awards, such as the Visa d’Or, World Press Photo and the Overseas Press Club, but also gain much needed attention to subjects that he is very passionate about. In fact, he was named by American Photo magazine as one of the ten heroes of photojournalism in 2007.

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Cindy McCain (L) looks at first lady Laura Bush as former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist speaks to volunteers before packing boxes that will be sent to caregivers in Africa during the ONE Campaign service event September 2, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cindy McCain, Laura Bush and volunteers packed nearly 2,500 caregiver boxes. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The great thing about the RNC is that they start so late in the afternoon you get to have a few extra hours of sleep. Today’s show starts at 6:20 (odd time) and runs through 10 pm. We go to the event site in shifts, rotating the early morning shift every day. I’m with the 11:30 shift today.

I also get a brief change of scenery. I am heading to the Minneapolis Convention Center to cover a press conference with Cindy McCain and Laura Bush. The two are going talk about their support of the ONE Campaign, a charitable organization that donates care packages for people doing humanitarian service in impoverished countries. They are going to pack a ceremonial box for the cameras.

Laura raced through the assembly line process once and was done.

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Laura Bush packs a box that will be sent to caregivers in Africa during the ONE Campaign service event September 2, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cindy McCain, Laura Bush and volunteers packed nearly 2,500 caregiver boxes. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Cindy went through twice, both times with a very determined look on her face.

MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 02: Cindy McCain packs boxes that will be sent to caregivers in Africa during the ONE Campaign service event September 2, 2008 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cindy McCain, U.S. first lady Laura Bush and volunteers packed nearly 2,500 caregiver boxes. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Back at the Sculpture Garden, it was another day of speakers. The only difference today is the addition of music. ACDC at the RNC? Yup. Contemporary country tunes also rocked the house. At least the crowd seemed to be having fun today. Yesterday was like a funeral.

The costume of the day is worn by the delegates from Alaska. Photographers go wild to get photos of them wearing orange construction vests and hard hats that have a message about drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. A photo on the back of their vest shows animals roaming in oil fields.

ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 02: Two Alaska deelgates stand on the floor on day two of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center on September 2, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The GOP will nominate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as the Republican choice for U.S. President on the last day of the convention. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

My recent days have been filled with politics. Last week I was covering the democrats, this week it’s the republican’s turn. For all of the details in between, check out my personal blog.

ST. PAUL, MN - AUGUST 31: U.S. John McCain makes a statement on a monitor during a press conference at the at the River Center August 31, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The GOP has announced it will suspend most of Monday?s convention activities, except for what is required by the rules that govern the RNC. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

So far the RNC has been getting washed out by a hurricane that was hundreds of miles south of Minnesota. McCain said during his satellite fed speech that “it is time to take our republican hats off and put on our American hats.” What exactly does that mean?

Republican Hat:

ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 01: Joshua Kempf (L) of the Texas delegation wears a elephant hat on day one of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center September 1, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The GOP will nominate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as the Republican choice for U.S. President on the last day of the convention. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

American Hat:

ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 01: A man wears a hat on the floor before the start of day one of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcel Energy Center September 1, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The GOP will nominate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as the Republican choice for U.S. President on the last day of the convention. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

McCain announced that the first day of the convention would be abbreviated and only tend to official convention business. All of the heavy hitting speakers scheduled for Monday had canceled. The list included George Bush, Dick Cheney and Ahhhnold Schwarzenegger. The six hour program had been cut down to 2 hours. The first lady Laura Bush and Cindy McCain took the floor together. Their appearance was the highlight of the day.

ST. PAUL, MN - SEPTEMBER 01: Cindy McCain (R), wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), speaks as on day one of the Republican National Convention (RNC) at the Xcefirst lady Laura Bush listens Energy Center September 1, 2008 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The GOP will nominate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) as the Republican choice for U.S. President on the last day of the convention. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

With all of our work done for the day, a group of us head to the Minnesota State Fair. More to report on the convention tomorrow.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

It’s certainly been a whirlwind tour thus far at the informal Wallacedene settlement in Cape Town, South Africa.

The settlement is located near the heart of the picturesque wine country, but the shanty village of Wallacedene is far from the glowing beauty of its close neighbors. When you enter the community of Wallacedene, the poverty is immediately apparant. Stray, malnourished dogs wander the streets in search of food while children play amongst the rubbish that is littered throughout the streets.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

It’s these conditions that led to the topic of our digital story, “Environmental Hazards,” which highlights the impact pollution is having on the health of the children in the Wallacedene settlement.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

Mothusi Mokhalimetso, one of the brightest learners at the school, was a victim of the squalid way of life in his community, contracting and almost dying from tuberculosis (TB). TB is a common and often deadly infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs. Typical symptoms include chronic coughing with blood tinged mucas, fever, night sweats and weight loss. The disease is spread through the air, and due to the close living proximity of residents in these villages, sick residents are often treated as outcasts.

One of the lucky few to survive, Mothusi is now sharing his story as part of the Bridges to Understanding workshop experience.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images - Mothusi Mokhalimetso is ready to share his story.

Unfortunately, TB is not the only killer in the Wallacedene settlement, around 60% of people in the settlement have AIDS, some of which even contracting it from birth.

Luthando Home Care Center takes in HIV infected and affected orphans and toddlers that are vulnerable to this disease. They provide them with food, shelter and access to social grants, particularly for those orphans who have no family to care for them.

Here I am with several of the orphans…

The children are incredibly affectionate, they want to cuddle you, be held close, climb all over you and play with your camera equipment. They are so little and cute, but in the back of your mind, you know this is the case because many have grown up malnourished and their growth has been stunted.

In spite of their struggles, in spite of the disease, dirty water and lack of sewage systems and sanitation, the people in Wallacedene remain upbeat. Their song and culture is what seems to keep them going, and they take each day as it comes.

Catherine Parker/Getty Images

A student at Bridge’s South African workshop last year…

Catherine Parker, a market development manager for footage and music at Getty Images, is on her way to Cape Town, South Africa to participate in a 10-day mentoring workshop with Bridges to Understanding.

Catherine will be working at the iconic Hector Peterson secondary school which is named after a 12-year-old boy who was photographed during the 1976 Soweto student uprising. Despite the lack of running water or electricity in their remote community, Hector Pieterson students consistently outperform their peers, exceeding national average grades against all of the odds.

These students will soon be treated to photography lessons from Bridges to Understanding as they learn how to create digital stories of their lives. These stories will not only become keep sakes for the students, but they will also be used to raise awareness and educate the youth of South Africa.

As the second of four Getty Images employees to win trips to Bridges workshops this year, Catherine will be reporting on her adventures on the Getty Images Creative blog.

Photo by Chris Scott

It’s 4 AM, humid and dark in the town of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu, the hidden city of the Incas. The small town is nested in the narrow, cloudy forest valley for the sole purpose of tourism for Machu Picchu, which gives it an odd, unreal quality for a town.

We took a train to get here that hugged the Urubamba River until we were surrounded on all sides by towering mountains. It’s very claustrophobic being enclosed like this and I’m excited to escape in the only direction we can go - up.

We take a bus up the mountain, zig-zagging extremely close to the unguarded edge and a perilous plunge. It’s still very early and my half closed eyes allow me to ignore the obvious danger.

Photo by Chris Scott

The sun has not climbed high enough to peek over the surrounding peaks but the sky is lightening and I catch my first glimpse of Machu Picchu. It is everything the books and stories promised. A city on top of the world, beautifully reconstructed and awe-inspiring with respect to it’s conception. To think such architectural, astronomical and agricultural feats were accomplished in the first place is incredible but when you marvel at the location, it is truly wonderful.

Photo by Chris Scott

When the sun finally rises over the mountain, it is a dramatic moment. You can understand why the Incas worshipped the sun and based much of their religion and life around its movements. It’s stunning to see the first rays illuminate the high peaks of Machu Piccu and then slowly rise to reveal the remaining ruins.

There have been many photographs of Machu Picchu over the years, and I wasn’t going to be the only one not to take the ubiquitous shot of the ruins and the peak of Wayna Picchu looming in the background. It was then that I heard you could climb this mountain. It looked impossible, but at closer inspection the Incas had built steep winding steps and paths winding their way up the rock. The climb was strenuous and dangerous at point. Most paths were on the very edge of a thousand foot drops. The lack of barriers and lack of legal protection in case of an injury, caused me to climb very slowly.

Photo by Chris Scott

We realized the actual danger of the climb when we came across a lucky hiker. She fell about 20 ft, stopping her fall by grabbing some branches. Had she fallen any further she would have plunged all the way to the valley floor. She walked away okay, just scratched and shaken. After we talked with her, I embraced the mountain with every bit of energy I could. I hugged each rock like we were the best of friends, surely the mountain couldn’t expel such a devotee.

At the summit the view was spectacular. You could see the entire city of Machu Picchu. Wayna Picchu was the last stronghold of Machu Picchu and would be used in case of attack. It has verticle cliff faces that would make it impossible for an invading army to climb. What I found even more amazing was that there were structures crowning this mountain. There were terraces for farming, houses and temples that were actually built on the cliffs. I could barely carry my camera bag, let alone construction equipment. How did they do that?

Photo by Chris Scott

We left Machu Picchu on foot, leaving the buses and walking down the path to the valley floor. On the way down we befriended a stray dog, something that I have discovered Peru is not short on. This one was friendly and joined us for the descent. I named him Picchu. Eventually we reached the bottom and walked along a dusty road used by buses. I was alarmed at the way Picchu would wait until the last minute to leap out of the way of oncoming buses. He would barely miss getting squashed by inches, much to his annoyance. He would chase the giant metal beast, barking like a wild animal. Luckily, the bus could outrun the animal (I would hate to see what happened if Picchu actually caught up). Picchu returned to our side, proud and placid as ever, as if nothing had happened.

We continued walking along the road (with Picchu walking in the middle). We could hear another bus coming and sure enough, the same scene played out. Picchu almost was hit and he rebounded by barking, growling and chasing the evil bus down the street. This happened several more times until we made it home. I can only imagine how exhausted Picchu was after that 30 minute walk, protecting the tourists from the evil metal beasts.

As a July 15 Deadline Looms, Photojournalists the World Over Are Channeling Their Inner Gene Smith…

American photojournalist W.Eugene Smith poses for portrait March 1, 1977 in New York City. (Photo by Arnold Newman/Getty Images)

In 2008, as they have every summer for 28 years, a committee of three judges will convene in a stifling conference room in Manhattan to plow through piles of photographs and proposals. When they emerge from behind closed doors, after four days of deliberation and two separate rounds of judging, the jury will have chosen the recipient of the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund’s annual grant.

At $30,000, the Smith grant, about to enter its third decade, is arguably photojournalism’s most consistenly prestigious, generous and longest-running award. It is dispensed to a single photographer attempting to complete a significant project conceived in the humanist tradition of renowned photo essayist W. Eugene Smith, who died in 1978. Among the grant’s first 15 recipients, recognized at pivotal, early stages of their careers: Jane Evelyn Atwood, Eugene Richards, Sebastiao Salgado, Gilles Peress, Donna Ferrato, Cristina Garcia Rodero and James Nachtwey.

This year’s deadline is only days away - July 15, 2008.

As you consider applying, please consider this series of questions:

-Why does W. Eugene Smith matter in this digital age?

-What is the relevance of his essay “Spanish Village” in the era of the video village?

-What is the relevance of Nurse Midwife in the age of WebMD?

I would argue that Smith’s commitment to documentary, humanistic photography speaks volumes to today’s young, brash, visually sophisticated (and over-stimulated) generation. Here was a man with a gargantuan appetitie for life and for new experiences. He had a compulsion for clutter and disarray and, at times, a tendency to let his finances slide. He was forever getting in fights with his editors, insisting that they were undermining his pure, single-minded vision. Indeed, Smith’s disdain for authority and outright contempt for authority figures, his unbending adhesion to principle, his commitment to righteous causes, and his explorations in myriad realms of modern culture (especially his passion for jazz) suggest that Smith, the journalist, the artist and the man, might as well have been a paradigm for the 21st century twenty or thirty something photographer.

Smith’s seminal 1972 study of a blighted Japanese village, “Minimata” documented how industry’s wastes had ravaged the land and the local population, killing hundreds and maiming many more. Like Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” before it “Minimata,” was the photographic medium’s first clarion call for ecological action. Had Smith shot only this one photo-essay, he would be conveying a message that is perhaps even more significant today: industrialization and rapid technological advances continue to manufacture “Minimatas” at an alarming rate, on a global scale. And photography - whether in digital or traditional format - remains an essential tool for stirring the world to witness and respond.

Both Smith, the photographer, and the Smith fund itself, thirty years after his death, remain beacons of compassion and commitment, reaffirming the power of the lone visionary in these turbulent times.

I encourage photographers everywhere to seriously consider applying this year. If you aren’t telling stories and opening eyes and waking people up, why are you in this business anyway?

—

David Friend, Vanity Fair’s editor of creative development and former director of photography of Life, is a member of the board of the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund. He is the author of Watching the World Change: The Stories Behind the Images of 9/11.

LONDON - AUGUST 22: Guests look at photographs at the annual Ian Parry Scholarship held at the Getty Images gallery on August 22, 2006 in London, England. The scholarship aims to nurture young photojournalists and develop emerging talent in the industry. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Ian Parry was a photojournalist who died while on assignment for The Sunday Times during the Romanian revolution in 1989. He was just 24 years old. The Ian Parry Scholarship was set up by me, Aidan Sullivan, then picture editor of The Sunday Times and Ian’s friends and family in order to build something positive from such a tragic death.

Each year, Getty Images supports the scholarship which is for photographers who are attending a full-time photography course or who are 24 years of age or below. Entrants must submit a digital portfolio of their work and a brief synopsis of a project they would undertake if they won the award. This year, we’ve made it even easier for students to apply. All that they have to do is upload their work and application form to an FTP site (instructions can all be found at www.ianparry.org).

Winners receive £3,000 towards their assignment and £500 to those awarded highly commended and commended.

As you can imagine this is a significant prize for a photographer. With the continued support of The Sunday Times Magazine, which publishes the winner’s work, the scholarship provides a launch into a professional photography career. Year after year, the award has highlighted the work of some of the industry’s finest emerging talent.

Judging for 2008 will take place at the Frontline Club in London on July 1, and I am delighted to announce that we have a prestigious group of judges, including former winner Magnum photographer Jonas Bendiksen (see complete list below). We are also delighted to announce that World Press Photo has again agreed to automatically accept the winner onto their final list of nominees for the Joop Swart Masterclass in Amsterdam. This is because of so many of our previous winners having attended this prestigious event in recent years.

Our 2008 jury are: Don McCullin Patron, Jonas Bendiksen/Magnum Photos & 2002 Winner, Tom Stoddart Getty Images, Tony Chambers Editor-in-Chief Wallpaper* magazine, Cheryl Newman Photography Director Saturday Telegraph magazine, John Downing Trustee, Steve Blogg Getty Images, Stephen Reid Art Director Sunday Times magazine and Ian’s family.

John Moore/Getty Images

RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN - DECEMBER 27: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addresses thousands of supporters at a campaign rally minutes before she was assassinated on December 27, 2007 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The opposition leader died from wounds to the neck and head after speaking at an election rally in the northern city where an estimated 15 people were left dead by the explosion.

In the latest Getty Images photographer podcast, Getty Images CEO and Co-Founder Jonathan Klein recently talked with staff photographer John Moore to discuss what it is like working behind the lens in the middle of a conflict and living life as an award-winning photojournalist in Pakistan.

Throughout his career, John has traveled and lived in several parts of the world including Nicaragua, India, South Africa, Egypt and for the past three years, Islamabad, Pakistan. Since joining Getty Images in 2005, John has extensively covered the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, photographing the US and British military in some of the world’s most dangerous combat zones.

Last year, John spent much of his time covering Pakistan’s slide into instability. In December 2007, he was the only American photojournalist to capture the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the chaotic moments thereafter.

John earned two first-place World Press Photo awards for his coverage of the Bhutto assassination and was awarded this year’s “Magazine Photographer of the Year” from Pictures of the Year International (POYi) and was awarded “Photojournalist of the Year” from the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA).

To learn more about John, don’t miss his previous Getty Images blog posts:

The Assassination of Benazir Bhutto

Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery

Gay Pride March - Thousands marched from Zoo Lake in Rosebank in Johannesburg to show their pride and celebrate diversity. Photo by: Shepherd Tozvireva 

A woman carries the one piece of furniture she has left - a chair- after she was evicted from her apartment building in Johannesburg. Photo by Sechaba Nhlapo

As the second class of the Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Program (PDP) is about to graduate and the first class graduates are proving their skills in their new jobs, it’s time to display and acknowledge the work done by the students.

PDP is a year-long photography course which provides aspiring photojournalists in South Africa the practical support of leading professionals and necessary skills to enter this highly competitive field. It culminates in a three month internship for each emerging photographer at a local newspaper.

To view some of the images from the newest generation of Africa’s photojournalists, don’t miss Portfolio 07 - an exhibition of work from the latest PDP graduates. The exhibition will run through February 6, 2008 at the Photo Workshop Gallery at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg.

This course was launched in 2005 with significant support from Getty Images. After two cycles, seven students have graduated and 8 more will earn their certificates by the end 2007. Not one week passes in Johannesburg without PDP students’ images on the front pages and inside local publications.

A man is arrested by police for public violence while protesting against poor service delivery. Photo by Sechaba Nhlapo.

Sister Bernadette Boulle (pictured above) is the only one of her five siblings still alive. She worked as an office clerk for nine years before entering the faith as a nun. Picture by Samantha Simmons.