I have been
photographing professionally since 1985, working as a freelance
photojournalist documenting social issues around the world and
endeavouring to make social change through the medium of
photography and the written word.
When I lived in California I was the
first photojournalist to respond to the United States Invasion
of Panama and document the devastation inflicted on the people
of Chorillo. The exhibition of that work was shown in the Ansel
Adams Gallery in Carmel and the Photographer’s Gallery
in Dublin.
Whilst in San Francisco I documented the
AIDS pandemic that was decimating
the lives of so many young men. Twenty one years later I have
just returned from Lesotho, a small
country in southern Africa where it is estimated that over 50%
of the population are HIV positive. In Angola, Romania, Pakistan and Lesotho I am left with
the abiding memory of children who have no parents: children
who live on the street, children in hospitals and orphanages,
children who are caring for their younger siblings: children
who don’t have an advocate.
The role of the Documentary Photographer
is that of a witness; my job is to photograph an issue, analyse
the facts and inform as many people as possible so that they
can make a difference through personal or collective action.
Photography is a powerful political tool that enables people to
bring to the attention of the public issues that are not being
sufficiently covered in the media.
In Ireland I am involved in working with
community groups and
individuals to teach them the skills
of photography. The skills bring personal confidence and
more importantly, a recognition that documenting traditions and
culture is vital to understanding who we are.
I believe that my photography is 90%
communication and 10% pressing the shutter. Because I have a
passion for this art form, and because I love to teach and
encourage others to enjoy this important medium, I am committed
to passing on the skills and helping others to leave an
important archive of their own lives, and the communities in
which they live, wherever in the world that might be.
Eileen O’Leary
