I suffered great pain, very great pain, when Didier Rapaud announced the loss of Göksin Sipahioglu on Wednesday morning.
A very generous man, with immeasurable patience who welcomed me in August 1980 after six months of hell in Bangkok and who believed in me.
I left him in January, 1988, just prior to his move from the offices on the rue Roquépine to the sumptuous new location on the rue Murat. But nearly all of the photographers that helped build the agency’s reputation had left. 7½ years exploring the world, a crusade for the glory of an agency and a man who had devoted his life to his profession.
Upon returning from the field, the whole agency would celebrate publications at the “Val d’Isère” restaurant on the rue de Ponthieu.
Sunday mornings Göksin was in his office at 9am, with the JDD, to talk about news stories with the “intimates” that were at his side at that hour.
For years, Göksin Sipahioglu continued to pay a salary to a photographer, a very close friend of mine, who, after a long depression, could no longer work.
In this press universe where pity is rare, Göksin Sipahioglu was the exception, giving birth to new vocations and encouraging those who had lost faith.
I gathered a few pictures of my Sipa years, rare and intense moments that could never have existed without the passion, courage and humanity of Göksin Sipahioglu who fought for us and for the freedom to inform I dedicate them to him.
Yan Morvan
