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Moments of the Human Condition
Moments of the Human Condition
Peter Turnley
February 25, 2020
“Photography has always been for me, first and foremost, about sharing moments of life that I choose to frame that represent feelings, perceptions, and observations about the world around me. The verb to share is one of the most beautiful verbs in the vocabulary of human beings. Implicit in the act of sharing is a notion of love. Whether we are sharing a discussion and dialogue about moments we admire or moments we dislike, the desire to enter into this visual conversation with others and with myself, is rooted in a passion for life and all of its potential.
Wherever I have been, I have always approached life with the feeling that, somehow, everyone I encounter, anywhere, and everywhere, is in one way or another part of my family, the family of humanity. I was born in the United States, but have spent more than half of my life living in Europe, in Paris, and have traveled worldwide to over 90 countries with the interest of documenting the life of my times in all of its aspects. My eyes and, more importantly, my heart have seen and felt life in its most difficult conditions, as well as moments where existence is being lived with its most poetic and beautiful potential. I have been interested in every aspect of the human experience with the idea that all life, at its extreme edges, and all in between, is part of what living is all about. I have tried to use the camera at times to shout loudly against oppression, inequality, and despairing human conditions, with the hope that a photograph could offer a voice to people whose voices too often go unheard. I have also spent much time trying to affirm through visual communication, all that has crossed my path that represents what life can be all about at it’s best, full of love, hope, poetry, and opportunity.
I have been traveling regularly to Cuba since 1989. I have a deep love for the people of this country, and of all of the travels I have made in my lifetime worldwide, rarely have I been to a place where I witness so much grace, spirit, dignity, and wonderful humanity. I am very grateful for this opportunity to share my life’s experience and vision of our family of men and women, and brothers and sisters.“
Find more images by Peter Turnley in LFI magazine 2/2020.
Wherever I have been, I have always approached life with the feeling that, somehow, everyone I encounter, anywhere, and everywhere, is in one way or another part of my family, the family of humanity. I was born in the United States, but have spent more than half of my life living in Europe, in Paris, and have traveled worldwide to over 90 countries with the interest of documenting the life of my times in all of its aspects. My eyes and, more importantly, my heart have seen and felt life in its most difficult conditions, as well as moments where existence is being lived with its most poetic and beautiful potential. I have been interested in every aspect of the human experience with the idea that all life, at its extreme edges, and all in between, is part of what living is all about. I have tried to use the camera at times to shout loudly against oppression, inequality, and despairing human conditions, with the hope that a photograph could offer a voice to people whose voices too often go unheard. I have also spent much time trying to affirm through visual communication, all that has crossed my path that represents what life can be all about at it’s best, full of love, hope, poetry, and opportunity.
I have been traveling regularly to Cuba since 1989. I have a deep love for the people of this country, and of all of the travels I have made in my lifetime worldwide, rarely have I been to a place where I witness so much grace, spirit, dignity, and wonderful humanity. I am very grateful for this opportunity to share my life’s experience and vision of our family of men and women, and brothers and sisters.“
Find more images by Peter Turnley in LFI magazine 2/2020.
Text and all images on this page: © Peter Turnley
Peter Turnley+-
Turnley has worked in more than 90 countries, and photographed important geopolitical events of the last four decades. He has portrayed personalities such as Barack Obama, Fidel Castro and Lady Di and published seven books. He was delighted in making pictures of daily life in his home of choice, Paris, ever since 1975. Turnley also leads workshops on street photography. More
