Peter Magubane, 1932–2024
If you read about only one article about a photographer this week, the obituary in the New York Times for Peter Magubane (pronounced mah-goo-BAHN-eh, according to the newspaper) should be it. Peter died at age 91 yesterday. I hadn't thought of him in years, to be honest. Some of us pursue photography as a hobby, some as a passion, some for money, some for satisfaction. But there's a tiny minority for whom it is a calling. Do you think you suffer for your art or struggle to do your work? Consider just the opening sentence of the article: "Peter Magubane, a Black South African photographer whose images documenting the cruelties and violence of apartheid drew global acclaim but punishment at home, including beatings, imprisonment and 586 consecutive days of solitary confinement, died on Monday." (Italics mine.) I confess I sometimes I think I've suffered to have stuck with photography all these years. But it's only because I think I gave up the security of an ordinary career and now pine for the steady paycheck I never had and that nonexistent retirement account. Peter lost his son. Would I endanger myself for my work? Would I hide my camera in a loaf of bread? "We are not worthy" is a phrase that's usually half a joke, part tongue-in-cheek, but that's how I feel when I consider the real heroes.
Photojournalism isn't the prettiest photography. It's not art. But it makes up in meaning what it lacks in the fastidious polish and personality we like to argue about. Photographers like Peter Magubane are blessed with an overarching mission that makes all kinds of little decisions for them. I like his quote: "Mr. Magubane never staged pictures, or asked for permission to photograph people. 'I apologize afterwards, if someone feels insulted,” he said, “but I want the picture.'" I like the bluntness of that last clause. There are so many times I want the picture too...but not quite enough to do what is necessary to get it.
His most haunting photo that I recall appears on the surface to be nondescript. It's a view through a dirty car windshield of another car with some people visible at the side of the road and a narrow view of parts of the road and the landscape. On first impression it's blurry, plain, ill-seen, charmless. Only when you look twice or three times do you notice an arm hanging out of the window of the other car, the hand holding a pistol: the picture captures an episode in which two white policemen drove around Soweto firing on civilians from their car, wounding and killing innocent people randomly. Suddenly what at first glance looked like a wasted frame is flooded with meaning. Then you envision Peter, a black man, close enough to that car with those murderous officers in it to get that shot, surely at least risking their revenge. That realization came as a jolt. I had a physical reaction to it. (The photograph is included in the Times obituary.)
At this late date in my life I know I'm not Peter's peer and never will be. People who photograph for a cause and sacrifice greatly for it are way up at the pinnacle in my opinion. They set a standard which can only inspire the rest of us through humility. Considering their example might help us work harder and be more focused. "Do your work," said David Vestal. Find work to do, first.
I recommend that you set aside a little time to read and meditate on the account of Peter's life today. It will make you think. Peter Magubane leaves behind 17 books, a long list of acclamations, great honor, and a real contribution to the life of the world. He photographed sunsets at the end of his life, because he finally got tired of strife and stress and death. Rest in peace; I bow my head.
Mike
Original contents copyright 2023 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)
Featured Comments from:
Jeff: "Very compelling story. I’m reminded, on a lesser scale of sacrifice, but still involving continual pain for one’s life work, tales from documentary photographer Sebastiao Salgado, as he briefly recounts in this interview. Many are enthusiastic about their photography, but surely few are passionate enough about their subject matter to stay true to a project after 48 exhausting trips, two broken knees, two broken shoulders, cervical pain, and constant disease! Sure, Salgado now has guides and assistants, but it’s noteworthy that he funded it all, without sponsors, with proceeds from his photographic output. All this puts my 'enthusiasm' and 'passion' for photography in a humbling perspective."
Here’s a gift link if anybody needs it. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/01/world/africa/peter-magubane-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Kk0.eOIe.bXFSExlPFKNv&hpgrp=c-abar&smid=url-share
Posted by: Kenneth Wajda | Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 02:03 PM
Peter Magubane was clearly a very courageous person with his camera. I confess that I am not very familiar with his work. I can see I've been missing some powerful stuff.
It's always fascinating to compare photographers who were contemporaries but followed parallel paths in the same sphere. Specifically, David Goldblatt who died in 2018. Different races, different positions, different strategies, but same destinations.
[Here's a page for David at Pace Gallery:
https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/david-goldblatt/
—Mike]
Posted by: Kenneth Tanaka | Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 03:34 PM
Takes a particular kind of courage I don't think anyone can say they possess until they are actually engaged in it.
Posted by: Stan B. | Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 05:42 PM
In addition to your observations, Mike, the quote below in The New York Times's obituary points up the singular nature of Peter Magubane. How many photojournalists regularly help the injured or dead? Many photographers decide it's not their responsibility to provide assistance, that they're solely documentarians, nothing more.
“Wherever they shot, if there was someone that needed assistance I would become an ambulance-man, pick up the body, take it to the hospital if the person is still alive,” Mr. Magubane told the commission.
“Sometimes my colleagues wanted to know from me whether was it right for me to assist because my work is to photograph,” he continued, “and I said if my editor ever said to me I should not help — I should not give help when it is necessary — then my editor can go to hell.”
Posted by: Gary Merken | Tuesday, 02 January 2024 at 08:13 PM
Mike, thank you! I come to your site first thing every morning hoping to read something like this that only you can provide. Do not minimize in your mind what you provide to your readers. In among the ‘routine’ posts about the latest inevitable update to a camera that I, for one could never afford, is this gem of a post that I could NEVER find anywhere else. Please continue to do what you do best…..write…
Posted by: Dave B | Wednesday, 03 January 2024 at 04:30 AM
Like Peter Magubane, Don McCullin turned his camera away from conflict to find peace in landscapes. Their landscape pictures and sunsets are not what we’ll most remember, but listening to McCullin, it’s clear that his landscapes are an attempt to forget.
Posted by: Sean | Wednesday, 03 January 2024 at 05:37 AM
Ahem... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Times
[...But...when I specify The New York Times first and THEN abbreviate it to "the Times," it should be assumed that the second reference refers to the first-named entity, for the duration of that article, no? That's what I was taught. Although I have no formal education in journalism. --Mike the Fake Ed.]
Posted by: Hugh | Wednesday, 03 January 2024 at 03:57 PM
Thanks for those words Mike. I did not know of this man, now I do! And it is good to be reminded that cameras can be powerful agents of change in the right hands.
Posted by: Peter Barnes | Thursday, 04 January 2024 at 06:57 AM
Such a beautiful man! And a great piece...thank you, Mike!
Posted by: anthony | Thursday, 04 January 2024 at 07:07 PM