Pho·tog Friday: Thatcher Cook - Live Lecture

It dawned on me the other day that our Photography Lecture Series has been running for almost three years! To celebrate, I wanted to share the first live lecture that was given at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division by Photojournalist and Documentary Photographer, Thatcher Cook!    Since 1997, Cook has gone on assignment for multiple humanitarian aid, non-governmental and developmental organizations.   His work has taken him all over the world including Cuba, Istanbul, Calcutta, Japan, India... just to name a few.  Within these countries, Cook has photographed topics such as natural disasters, human illness, and human rights violations.
Photo By: Thatcher Cook
Perhaps his most inspirational body of work consists of the images published within his second book, Black Apple, which depicts the culture in Kyrgyzstan, a country which used to be a part of the U.S.S.R.  Cook traveled through Kyrgyzstan for eight months on a Fulbright Scholarship and documented the lifestyle of a country still recovering from the downfall of the Soviet Union.  Below is one of the images that Cook shot while photographing a coal mine in Kyrgystan: 
Photo By: Thatcher Cook
Believing that photography can be used as a tool for social change, Cook’s camera lens typically captures the lives of those affected by war, economic upheaval and natural disasters.  What makes Cook’s images unique from other photojournalists is that the viewer can really sense Cook’s engagement with his subjects, which allows him to accurately portray each individual’s “day to day” activities and struggles.  Cook’s in depth analysis of his subjects shines a bright and powerful light on their plight.  It is his hope that this light will provide a helping hand and better opportunities for a brighter future.  


Cook, Thatcher. "THATCHER HULLERMAN COOK | ...Visual Storyteller ..." THATCHER HULLERMAN COOK | ... v I S U a L ... S T O R Y T E L L E R ... N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2016.

Disclaimer

See aiprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info. The information and opinions expressed and/or any artwork displayed herein represent the independent opinions and ideas of the individual faculty (Melanie Fiander) and do not represent the opinions or ideas of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any Web site linked to this Web site/newsletter. The links are provided for your information and convenience only. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division does not endorse, support or sponsor the content of any linked Web sites. If you access or use any third party Web sites linked to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division Web site, you do so at your own risk. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh makes no representation or warranty that any other Web site is free from viruses, worms or other software that may have a destructive nature.