Seamus Murphy: The Uncomfortable Work of Documentary Photography

Seamus Murphy joins Eyeshot 50mm to discuss documentary photography, war, Afghanistan, Ireland, PJ Harvey, and why images should challenge us rather than comfort us. A raw conversation on photojournalism, long-term work, ethics, memory, and the difficult responsibility of looking. In this episode, Murphy reflects on a life shaped by photography: from leaving Ireland and finding his voice through the camera, to working across conflict zones, returning again and again to Afghanistan, and resisting the narrow labels of “war photographer” or “documentary photographer.” The conversation moves through photojournalism, personal projects, visual freedom, and the tension between information, emotion, and form.