Sir Don McCullin, James Nachtwey share stage at Xposure

Sharjah 24: For the first time ever, two of the world’s most prolific photojournalists, Sir Don McCullin and James Nachtwey, will share the stage at the Xposure International Photography Festival 2025 in Sharjah, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB). This exclusive panel discussion, titled “Bearing Witness: Through the Darkness of History,” is one of the many highlights of the festival’s 9th edition — taking place from February 20–26, 2025, in Aljada, Sharjah — and marks a rare convergence of two visionaries whose work has defined decades of conflict, humanitarian, and documentary photography.

Though both photographers have spent decades in war zones, their artistic approaches reveal striking contrasts. Sir Don McCullin is known for his haunting chiaroscuro, capturing silhouettes of soldiers against smoke-filled skies and faces etched with trauma. James Nachtwey, in contrast, employs wide-angle immediacy, framing crises with geometric precision and balancing horror with humanity. Their images haven’t just documented history—they’ve shaped it. Nachtwey’s 1984 photographs of Ethiopia’s famine helped trigger Live Aid, raising $127 million for relief, while McCullin’s 1968 Biafra images spurred global aid and his coverage of Northern Ireland pressured British authorities to address sectarian violence.

Having these two legendary voices share a stage for the first time is a rare convergence of visionaries whose work has defined photojournalism and stirred global conscience.

A once-in-a-lifetime conversation

The session, taking place on 26th February at 6:15 PM, will cover the most important moments of McCullin and Nachtwey’s careers, reflecting on the images that have shaped global consciousness. They will discuss the ethical dilemmas of photographing war and suffering, the evolution of photojournalism in the digital age, and the role of imagery in holding power to account.

Through personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes insights, the two masters of conflict photography will explore how their work has impacted international humanitarian efforts, influenced policymakers, and reshaped the narrative of global crises. Attendees will gain rare access to firsthand accounts of history’s defining moments, from the Vietnam War and the conflict in Northern Ireland to Rwanda’s genocide and the aftermath of 9/11.

This historic discussion will be moderated by Aiden Sullivan, founder of Verbatim Photo and former Vice President of Photo Assignments at Getty Images, whose expertise in visual storytelling will guide this powerful conversation.

Secure your place for this extraordinary session

With two of the greatest photojournalists of all time sharing their untold stories and reflections, this session is an unmissable event for photographers, journalists, historians, and anyone passionate about visual storytelling.

For more information and to secure your place at this once-in-a-lifetime session, register now at https://workshops.xposure.net/events/bearing-witness-through-the-darkness-of-history-with-don-mccullin-and-james-nachtwey/.