Nana Kofi Acquah: On the complexity of consent

In this episode, we talk with Nana Kofi Acquah about the complexity of consent. Nana speaks of the importance of prioritising understanding in order to photograph complex stories authentically. He also discusses how the coronavirus pandemic illuminated the lack of empathy present in the photographing of illness in Africa.  Nana highlights how images of poverty and opulence are often juxtaposed and that more understanding is needed to create nuanced images.  He explains how captioning is critical to remove bias and depict the original substance of the photo. Finally, he explores the capacity for consent in relation to people in vulnerable positions.

What you’ll find inside: 

“I think the secret of good photography when you’re dealing with very nuanced very complex issues is to not focus on the photograph just focus on understanding. Focus on getting to this place where the people can truly be themselves in your presence.” (9.18)

“To seek to disappear, to seek to not get in the way of the story. I think the pinnacle of all art is invisibility.” (10.51)

“When you photograph a child who is starving and dying maybe they lived maybe they became president of their nation, but nobody remembers that all we ever remember is a poor starving African child.” (16.29)

“People are more than just a moment you witnessed.” (18.38)

“In the effort to make exceptional images we tend to distort history especially for those who come after us … and the ability to see that the mundane is a story.”  (21.55)

“Captioning is the secret recipe that gives a photograph true longevity it’s that important. Captioning is crucial because captioning helped me step out of my bias to hear the original observer’s voice.” (23.45)

“Consent for me is a complicated matter especially when we are working with vulnerable groups.” (30.03)

What does photography ethics mean to Nana? 

“If I can go back show them the photographs and not have to worry about how they will feel about it. It may not be their greatest photo but they say at least that’s how I was feeling that’s the way I was. I don’t want to remember that part of my history again but that photograph is honest it speaks to that moment in my life.” (34.39)

Links:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

The Baggage that Lives with You Forever

Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats

Nana Kofi Acquah on inequality in Ghana

Immediate Family by Sally Mann

Kadir van Lohuizen