EP31 - A conversation with Sir Don McCullin

  Podcast Show Notes: EP31 A Conversation with Don McCullin On the 19th of April 2019 I met the legendary Sir Don McCullin—a man whose photographs have shaped the way we see war, suffering, and the stark divides in British society. McCullin, now in his eighties, has turned his lens to the landscapes of Somerset, but his past work in Vietnam, Biafra, Northern Ireland, and beyond remains some of the most powerful photojournalism ever created. This conversation, recorded in April 2019, was never intended for broadcast, but I'm grateful to be able to share it with you now. It's raw, intimate, and filled with the kind of wisdom only a life lived at the sharp edge of history can provide. What's Inside This Episode? McCullin's Beginnings: A Working-Class Photographer in a Divided Britain I start by tracing McCullin's early life—born in 1935 in Finsbury Park, a rough corner of North London, where class and poverty shaped his world. We talk about his first significant photograph, The Guvnors, a portrait of his local gang taken in the shell of a bombed-out building. That single image, sold to The Observer, set him on the path to becoming one of the most respected war photographers of the 20th century. War, Suffering, and the Ethics of Photojournalism McCullin speaks candidly about the moral weight of war photography—what it means to witness human suffering and the impossibility of remaining untouched by it. He recalls the Vietnam War, the famine in Biafra, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the brutal realities he encountered. His black-and-white images are defined by their unflinching honesty and a darkness that isn't just about exposure—it's about truth. The Darkroom as a Battleground One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is McCullin's discussion of his time in the darkroom. His prints are legendary for their deep blacks, their richness, and their meticulous craftsmanship. He describes the long hours spent perfecting a single print, the unpredictability of chemistry, and the frustrations and triumphs that come with analogue photography. Landscape Photography and a Different Kind of War In his later years, McCullin has turned away from conflict zones to focus on the landscapes of England, particularly Somerset, where he has lived for decades. He talks about the tranquility he finds in these images but also acknowledges that even in the stillness, there's something unresolved. "England," he says, "is still a battlefield—just a different kind." Legacy and the Future of Documentary Photography We reflect on the state of photography today—the dominance of digital, the fleeting nature of images in the age of Instagram, and the disappearing art of the darkroom. McCullin is, in his own words, "an old donkey in the meadow," but his insights remain razor-sharp. Relevant Links & Further Reading Don McCullin's Official Website: donmccullin.com Tate Britain Exhibition (2019): tate.org.uk Hauser & Wirth's 'The Stillness of Life' (2020): hauserwirth.com Palazzo Esposizioni Roma Exhibition (2024): palazzoesposizioniroma.it Final Thoughts Speaking with Don McCullin was a rare privilege. His images have shaped history, and his voice—both as a photographer and as a man—remains one of the most important in the field. If you're moved by this conversation, take some time to explore his work, visit an exhibition, or pick up one of his books. As always, let me know what you think. If you're listening on YouTube, drop a comment. If you're listening on a podcast app, leave a review. Your thoughts mean the world to me.