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From the Front Lines, Regional Photographers Make All The Difference

5 minute read

Photographs by non-Western photographers are featured prominently among the best documentary images of 2013. Taslima Akhter’s haunting “Final Embrace,” taken in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, as well as a powerful Mosa’ab Elshamy photo from the violent Rabaa Square protests in Cairo both made TIME’s Top 10 Photos of the Year. Meanwhile, EPA photojournalist Ali Ali’s consistently strong images of daily life from the Gaza Strip earned him the distinction of being the most represented photographer in TIME’s 365 gallery.

Although it has become more prevalent in recent years, the practice of regional photographers working for Western news organizations dates back decades. Here, TIME showcases work made over the past year by the aforementioned three, examining the wider context, evolution and issues that relate to regional photography.


“Once upon a time, there was a tendency to send Western photographers to cover breaking stories around the world,” Santiago Lyon, AP’s Director of Photography, tells TIME. “There was a view that foreign photographers spoke the language of photography in a way that was understood by the viewers and readers in the countries where the images were being published.”

For many magazines, there was a certain cachet in having a French or American photographer tell a story.

“That said, there’s a long tradition of working with local photographers,” Lyon says. “When you look at what the AP did in Vietnam, it had a network of local stringers, some of whom, including Nick Ut, went on to make photographs that have remained in the collective memory.”

Labour Day in Indonesia
May 1, 2014. An Indonesian worker wears a pikachu Japanese character mask during a rally to mark the International Labor Day outside the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia.Nick Ut—AP

Over the past four decades, shifts in technology have made working with regional photographers more viable. Before the advent of the Internet, getting a picture for a story was a complicated exercise involving film development, print-making and machinery designed to transmit images over the wires. Today, cameras are more advanced, with more automatic functions and digital-file transfer processes that make it easier to capture properly exposed, in-focus images and distribute them from the far corners of the world.

The digital revolution has also “leveled the playing field,” Lyon says, “in that the spread of visual information meant that photographers all over could more easily see the work of great historical or contemporary photographers.”

Regional threats to journalists’ security, meanwhile, have also intensified. Photography is more readily viewed by interested parties who in turn attempt to control the flow of information through harassment and intimidation. While issues of safety affect all journalists, the local journalist has to remain in place, and many attacks in recent years have been on regional contributors.

With local photographers better equipped to provide quality imagery — and, in a sense, better able to blend in with their surroundings — increasingly budget-conscious news organizations employ them more and more often.

Working with local photographers not only saves money in the short-term, but can also provide significant long-term payoffs. News agencies and photography organizations like World Press Photo, for example, often train and mentor regional photographers, providing a bridge between established news outlets and fledgling practitioners of the craft.

“What larger organizations offer to local photographers is more than a financial transaction, but a dialog that improves their ability to communicate and tell stories effectively,” Lyon says. “In Iraq [where five AP-trained regional photographers were part of the agency’s 2005 Pulitzer-winning team] and more recently in Egypt, what attracted these photographers was that they were telling the story of their country in a powerful way.”

Having a deeper connection to what one covers can also, however, be problematic.

“If a member of the Muslim Brotherhood is giving us photographs,” Lyon says, “that would be problematic. If there is any doubt as to the provenance of an image or the circumstances under which it was taken, it can undermine our journalistic cause.”

Susan Meiselas, Director of the Magnum Foundation, finds the work produced by photographers at or near their own home indispensable. Each year, a third of the foundation’s Emergency Fund goes to regional photographers.

“I want to know from within what the world looks like and feels like,” Meiselas says.

For a 1990 book she edited, Chile from within, for instance, Meisalas chose to compile the work of local Chilean photographers who bore witness to the turbulence and the military coup that convulsed their own country in the 1980s, instead of including her own photography.

“There are times when insiders have a privileged view and there are times when outsiders can see what insiders cannot perceive” says Meiselas. “It’s not always a simple matrix.”

Meiselas cites Taslima Akhter, a Magnum Foundation Fellow whose photograph from Rana Plaza affected us so deeply in 2013, as a case in point.

“Taslima was special,” she says, “because of that very specific moment that she recognized [and photographed] and her deep connection to the conditions that led to that moment [the Tazreen factory fire in November 2012 and the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 2013]. She was already documenting there before the catastrophe, [before they were on international radar,] and she continues, as an activist and photographer, to document them in the aftermath and maintain that awareness.”


Phil Bicker is a senior photo editor at TIME.


Morsi supporters scream as they carry a man shot in the head outside the makeshift hospital in Rabaa Square.
Mosa’ab Elshamy, 23, freelance photographer, Cairo, Egypt."This has been the most intense year of my short career which kicked off during the 2011 uprising. I've been documenting the ups and downs of post-revolutionary Egypt — protests, clashes, elections, celebrations and mourning. The events of this year took a particularly tragic turn after the June 30th million-man protests and the military's removal of Mohamed Morsi. I spent a lot of time in Rabaa Adaweya Square where Morsi supporters camped out for over 40 days protesting his removal before the eventual military crackdown left at least 800 of them dead. The Rabaa Massacre on August 14 and its aftermath was unlike anything I've witness in the past three years when it comes to the scale of force and the casualty rate. More than five journalists were killed on that day, and I was very fortunate to get out of there in one piece. Since then, the country has descended into a state of chaos with weekly, often deadly protests and polarized streets that seem beyond repair."July 27, 2013. Morsi supporters scream as they carry a man shot in the head outside the makeshift hospital in Rabaa Square.Mosa'ab Elshamy
A brother of one of the victims is comforted by friends outside the room being used as a makeshift morgue.
July 27, 2013. A brother of one of the victims is comforted by friends outside the room being used as a makeshift morgue.Mosa'ab Elshamy
An injured supporter of ousted president Mohamed Morsi pleads for help at a makeshift hospital in Rabaa. July 27, 2013.
July 27, 2013. An injured supporter of ousted president Mohamed Morsi pleads for help at a makeshift hospital in Rabaa.Mosa'ab Elshamy
Female supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi are sprayed with cold water to counter the August heat during a sit-in.
July 30, 2013. Female supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi are sprayed with cold water to counter the August heat during a sit-in.Mosa'ab Elshamy
Smoke is seen from a tent in Rabaa Adaweya square during the violent dispersal of the camp, where Morsi supporters had camped for 40 days. August 14, 2013.
Aug. 14, 2013. Smoke is seen from a tent in Rabaa Adaweya square during the violent dispersal of the camp, where Morsi supporters had camped for 40 days.Mosa'ab Elshamy
Aug. 14, 2013. A potato wheel-cart burns, along with tents and Morsi supporters' belongings as security forces violently dispersed the 40-day long Rabaa Adaweya sit-in. Mosa'ab Elshamy
A man covering his head with a bucket observes the destruction at Rabaa Adaweya camp during the violent dispersal by security forces. August 14, 2013.
Aug. 14, 2013. A man covering his head with a bucket observes the destruction at Rabaa Adaweya camp during the violent dispersal by security forces.Mosa'ab Elshamy
A man grieves next to a flag outside the makeshift morgue of Rabaa Adaweya where bodies killed during the violent dispersal of the camp where kept. August 14, 2013.
Aug. 14, 2013. A man grieves next to a flag outside the makeshift morgue of Rabaa Adaweya where bodies killed during the violent dispersal of the camp where kept. Mosa'ab Elshamy
A volunteer medic helps injured supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi who laid on the ground at a makeshift hospital during the violent dispersal of the camp by security forces. August 14, 2013.
Aug. 14, 2013. A volunteer medic helps injured supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi who laid on the ground at a makeshift hospital during the violent dispersal of the camp by security forces. Mosa'ab Elshamy
A doctor inspects bodies of Morsi supporters laid at a makeshift morgue in Rabaa Adaweya square during the violent dispersal of the camp by security forces. August 14, 2013.
Aug. 14, 2013. A doctor inspects bodies of Morsi supporters laid at a makeshift morgue in Rabaa Adaweya square during the violent dispersal of the camp by security forces.Mosa'ab Elshamy
Aug. 15, 2013. Women mourn over bodies of relatives in Iman mosque near Rabaa, a day after security forces violently dispersed the camp and killed over 800 protesters. Mosa'ab Elshamy
Men grieve during funeral prayers for the victims of Rabaa Adaweya massacre. August 15, 2013.
Aug. 15, 2013. Men grieve during funeral prayers for the victims of the Rabaa Adaweya massacre. Mosa'ab Elshamy
Bloodied hands are seen at Ramses square, where violent clashes broke out on the Day of Rage, the first Friday after Rabaa massacre. August 16, 2013.
Aug. 16, 2013. Bloodied hands are seen at Ramses square, where violent clashes broke out on the Day of Rage, the first Friday after the Rabaa Adaweya massacre. Mosa'ab Elshamy
An injured Egyptian supporter of ousted President Morsi is assisted during clashes on the day the country celebrates the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in the Dokki area of Giza, near Cairo, Egypt, 06 October 2013.
Oct. 6, 2013. An injured Egyptian supporter of ousted President Morsi is assisted during clashes on the day the country celebrates the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in the Dokki area of Giza, near Cairo.Mosa'ab Elshamy
Oct. 6, 2013. An injured protester is rushed into a hospital during violent clashes marking the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, in the Dokki area of Giza, near Cairo.Mosa'ab Elshamy
Oct. 22, 2013. A woman weeps during the funeral of three Coptic Christians who were killed in a drive-by shooting outside the Virgin Mary church in Cairo. Mosa'ab Elshamy
Supporters of Mohamed Morsi brandish a face mask of the ousted president during protests at the Police Academy in Cairo where his trial took place. November 4th, 2013.
Nov. 4th, 2013. Supporters of Mohamed Morsi brandish a face mask of the ousted president during protests at the Police Academy in Cairo where his trial took place. Mosa'ab Elshamy
The government-built monument in Tahrir square is seen after it was vandalized by anti-military protesters. "No celebration until justice is achieved" was written over it.
Nov. 18, 2013. The government-built monument in Tahrir square is seen after it was vandalized by anti-military protesters. "No celebration until justice is achieved," was written over it.Mosa'ab Elshamy
Daily power outages in Jabaliya
Ali Ali, 28, photojournalist (EPA), Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territories. "This was a significant year for me. I spent most of my time coexisting with the people in the streets and in the camps of Gaza as I worked to refine my style of daily life and street photography. This was also the year I was selected for the World Press Photo Masterclass. Since the age of 17, I have been photographing life and conflict in the Gaza Strip. My work has been to document the news and cover the political situation in the region between Israelis and Palestinians. What has caught my attention most through the years has been how the lives of individuals and families are continually disrupted by conflict. Through my images, I wanted to show the human side of my people and document their suffering. This year, there was no armed conflict in Gaza, which gave me the the chance to focus my work more on the day to day lives of Palestinians. I tried to capture happy moments, and sad, and I am very proud that these images have been distributed throughout the world."Nov. 18, 2013. A Palestinian girl holds a candle inside her family's house during a power cut in Jabaliya refugee camp, in northern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Children in Gaza
June 5, 2013. A Palestinian refugee girl plays inside her family home in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Children playing in Beit Lahiya
May 16, 2013. Palestinian refugee children play in a poverty-stricken quarter of the town of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
A Palestinian refugee boy looks out from a window
June 6, 2013. A Palestinian refugee boy looks out from a window as he plays with his brothers outside their family's house in North Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Horse race in Gaza Strip
Sept. 1, 2013. Palestinian spectators attend a horse race and show in the North of the Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Pottery workshop in Gaza
May 28, 2013. A Palestinian worker holds a pot made out of kneaded mud, in one of the largest pottery workshops in the Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
A Palestinian girl play outside her family's tent in a poverty-stricken quarter of the town of Younis
Aug. 27, 2013. A Palestinian girl play outside her family's tent in a poverty-stricken quarter of the town of Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Younis in Gaza
June 26, 2013. Palestinian children play outside their family's tent in a poverty-stricken quarter of the town of Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Younis in Gaza
June 26, 2013. A Palestinian child plays with a chick outside the family tent in a poverty-stricken quarter of the town of Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Younis in Gaza
June 26, 2013. Palestinian children play outside their family's tent in a poverty-stricken quarter of the town of Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
One Girl's Life
July 29, 2013. A Palestinian girl plays besides her family's tent where they live in a poverty-stricken quarter of the town of Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Ramadan in Gaza City
July 12, 2013. A Palestinian man prays in a mosque during the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Ramadan in Gaza
July 11, 2013. A Palestinian child rests as others pray and read the Koran in a mosque during the holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Arab Idol winner returns home
June 25, 2013. People wait for Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf (not pictured) in front of his family house at the Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
A Palestinian refugee girl Nour Soboh 4 years , palys beside her horse in her family house in Bait Lahiya town, North Gaza StripHOLD TO MARIA MANN
July 25, 2013. A Palestinian refugee girl, Nour Soboh, 4, plays with her toy horse in her family home in Bait Lahiya town, North Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Louay Soboh in Gaza
June 11, 2013. 14 year-old Louay Soboh (L), who was blinded by his injuries allegedly sustained in a phosphorus shell bombing, and his fiancee, 14 year-old Amar Soboh, hold hands at their home in the town of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
Gaza heat
May 29, 2013. A Palestinian girl plays with her brothers inside their family's home on a hot day in Bait Lahiya town, northern Gaza Strip.Ali Ali—EPA
03_Garment Workers in Deathtrap_ Taslima Akhter_ Nobody knows who are they, what is the relation between them but the crude reality make them closer and may be they are trying to save each other and the last moment of their life from the death trap of Savar Rana Plaza_. Embrace in Death. Near about 438 workers died as building Collapse at Savar Rana Plaza. Most of them are women. Savar Dhaka, Bangladesh, 24th April 2013
Taslima Akhter, 39, photographer and activist, Dhakar, Bangladesh."As a witness to history, an activist and as a photographer I have been documenting the lives and struggles of garment workers in Bangladesh since 2008. With the dream of living a better life, millions from villages flock to workers barracks in the cities. Over 80% are women who end up toiling from dusk to dawn in unsafe working conditions for a minimum wage which translates roughly to less than $37 a month. For the last 12 months of my project, I have focused on these working conditions. I documented the Tazreen Fire that left more than 100 workers dead, and in April of this year, the Rana Plaza building collapse which took the lives of over 1,000. These workers don't ask for much. They want a roof over their heads. They want to send their children to school. They don’t want to send their children into same profession that they are doing, which claims so many lives, but they often don’t have any alternative. Through my images, I have tried to campaign for these workers — better wages, better working conditions and their trade union rights."April 24, 2013. Unidentified victims of the Savar Rana Plaza garment factory collapse in Dhaka, BangladeshTaslima Akhter
01_Garment workers in Deathtrap_ Taslima Akhter_ A eight storied building is collapsed and hundreds workers dead bodies have rescued from the building . Near about 438 workers died as building Collapse at Savar Rana Plaza. Dhaka Bangladesh 25th April 2013
April 25, 2013. The rubble of the collapsed 8-story Savar Rana Plaza garment factory building in Dhaka, Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
Dead worker Anis phtoto . Anis is now only a name of memory. Anis relatives Kahadiza thinks that he is look like that photos (Two dead Person embracing , photo by Taslima) dead person. Anis worked at Phantom garment at Rana Plaza building. Rana Plaza, the 8- stored building where 5 garments factory were running, has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so far  Jamalpur District. Bangladesh. 6th June 2013
June 6, 2013. Anis, a victim of the Savar Rana Plaza garment factory collapse, Dhaka, Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
Missing Workers Suroj’s Mother is weeping. All the time she pass in a trauma and cries for her son . Rana Plaza has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so far 1st June 2013. Savar , Dhaka. Bangladesh
June 1, 2013. The mother of missing worker Suroj weeping over the loss of her son, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Taslima Akhter
Missing workers Rehana’s two son Parvej (7) and  Palash (5) and her husband Jahedul at their home district Joypur hat. Rehana  is missing after the Rana plaza collapse. Rehana was a helper of New Wave Style Garment. After Rahana’s missing news her son’s become so quite. All the time they ask many questions to their father ,Jahidul, about their mother and waiting for mother. Rana Plaza, the 8- stored building where 5 garment factory were running, has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so far. Panch bibi, Joypur Hat, Bangladesh. 2nd June 2013
June 2, 2013. Parvej, 7, and Palash, 5, sons of missing worker Rehana, and her husband Jahedul at their home in Joypur Hat, Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
Shahanaj a rescued worker  from rana plaza rubble , She is suffering for hand pain because she has fracture in her hand.  Rana Plaza has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers died. 1st June 2013. Savar , Dhaka. Bangladesh
June 1, 2013. Shahanaj, a rescued worker from the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse, with a fractured hand.Taslima Akhter
Mother of Poly Akther is weeping. Her daughter is died in the rubble. Rana Plaza, the 8- stored building where 5 garment factory was running, has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so far.1st June 2013. Savar , Dhaka. Bangladesh
June 1, 2013. The mother of garment worker Poly Akther weeps over her loss, Dhaka, Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
Halima, Dead worker from Rana Plaza. Halima’s husband Anis also dead.Halima’s sister in law Khadiza think that Halima is look like Taslima’s photo of that two person. But finally Anis mother say they are not. Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 7th June 2013
June 7, 2013. Halima, a victim of the Savar Rana Plaza garment factory collapse, Dhaka, Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
After identification of dead body of Al Amin (18), a  worker from Rana Plaza and brother of missing worker Shaheen Reza, his family gets this letter from Al Amins pocket that his girl friend write to him. Al Amin was a good student. He gave SSC ( School secondary Certificate) exam and after his death the result has been published and he has got grade A.  After giving exam Al amin think he can earn and support family. Rana Plaza, the 8- stored building where 5 garment factory were running, has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so far. Panch bibi, Joypur Hat, Bangladesh. 2nd June 2013
June 2, 2013. After the identification of the body of Al Amin (18), a worker at Rana Plaza and brother of missing worker Shaheen Reza, his family discovers a letter in his pocket that his girlfriend wrote to him. Taslima Akhter
01.	Missing worker Morjina (19.) Morjina and her sister Rojina both were worker . Morjina is missing and her sister Rojina lost her hand. 7th June 2013
June 7, 2013. Morjina, 19, and her sister, Rojina, were working at the Rana Plaza garment factory. Morjina is missing and Rojina lost her hand.Taslima Akhter
Rehana (19) lost her two leg after rescuing her life from the rubble. She is in CRP hospital now. After rescuing her doctor do a operation and cut her two leg to save her. Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. 7th June 2013
June 7, 2013. Rehana, 19, lost her two legs the garment factory collapse, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
Mother of dead worker Anis . Anis ( Anis relatives Khadiza thinks that Anis is look like that photo of two dead Person embracing , photo by Taslima. But his mother said this is not her son) worked at Phantom garment at Rana Plaza building. Rana Plaza, the 8- stored building where 5 garments factory were running, has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so far  Jamalpur District. Bangladesh. 6th June 2013
June 6, 2013. The mother of garment factory victim, Anis, Jamalpur District, Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
Rojina (25) lost her hand under the rubble. To save her own self Rojina first started cutting her hand. Rojina and her sister Morjina both were worker . Morjina is missing and. Rojina is alive. Rana Plaza, the 8- stored building where 5 garments factory was running, has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so far Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.14th June 20139. Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.14th June 2013
June 14, 2013. Rojina, 25, lost her arm under the rubble. To save her own life, Rojina tried to amputate it herself, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Taslima Akhter
1.	Shanta (18) is a missing worker from Rana Plaza. Her mother does not know which factory she worked. Shanta her mother (Shahida 30) and her youngest brother Shawpon are the member of their family. Shanta’s father died 5 years ago. Shanta was the only earning member of her family. After Shanta’s missing her mother sold some furniture to pay the rent of house. And Shanta's mother hangs this photo in their small room (House). Though the photo is damaged but for her mother it is precious. Rana Plaza, the 8- stored building where 5 garments factory was running, has collapsed on 24th April 2013 and 1131 workers dead so farSavar, Dhaka, Bangladesh.14th June 2013
June 14, 2013. Shanta, 18, is a missing worker from Rana Plaza, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Her mother does not know in which factory she worked.Taslima Akhter
After 42 days, cleaned up Rana Plaza. Rana Plaza collapsed on 24th April 2013. 1st June 2013. Savar , Dhaka. Bangladesh
June 1, 2013. Rana Plaza 42 days after the collapse, Savar, Dhaka. Bangladesh.Taslima Akhter
Both of them name is Khadiza. Both of them lost their husband under the rubble of Rana Plaza. After publishing the DNA report they go to Graveyard to see their beloved persons grave. Jurain Grave yard. Dhaka. Bangladesh.7th November 2013
Nov. 7, 2013. Both of these subjects are named Khadiza, Jurain Graveyard, Dhaka. Bangladesh. Both of them lost their husbands under the rubble of Rana Plaza.Taslima Akhter

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