Another way of looking at things

A new book celebrates the female photographers fighting for space in a male-dominated industry

In What We See, a striking new collection of images by 100 photographers from around the world, Daniella Zalcman notes that, “for as long as photojournalism has existed as a discipline... the industry has been dominated by white Western men”. What We See sets out to redress the balance: while 85 per cent of today’s photojournalists are male, none of those included in What We See is. Here, four of the book’s contributors introduce their greatest shots.

TERRA FONDRIEST ON THE INTRODUCTION (2017)

“I was visiting my old friend Rachel to meet her newborn son. She married a local cattle rancher and horses are part of their everyday life. So, when we were walking around their farm in Arkansas, it felt natural to include the horses. I did not think much of this image at first, but it got strong reactions when I shared it – which got me thinking how moments from our everyday lives that seem mundane might be interesting to outsiders.”

ROZETTE RAGO ON SISTERS (2019)

“Sisters – which recreates a still from Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides

– is an image from my long-term project. It started as an experiment in what my favourite movies growing up would look like if they were recast with Asian folks – and how that representation could have impacted me as a teenager in the Philippines. In a way, my career is built upon the desire to reclaim the ways in which people who look like me are depicted.”

CAMILLE SEAMAN ON SUPERCELL IN MINNESOTA (2014)

“I know that many people view these types of images as frightening.

I see them as awesome in the true sense of the word. Our planet is so extraordinary. To witness beauty is my honour and privilege. I hope that my work inspires viewers to nurture their own relationship with our only home. It was Jacques Cousteau who said, ‘You will not love something you do not know, and you will not save something you do not love.’”