Sir Don McCullin will be joining Peter Fetterman Gallery at Photo London this week on Thursday, May 15 at 14:30,(2:30pm) to sign copies of his recent books ‘Life, Death & Everything in Between’ and ‘The Roman Conceit’ at their booth (#W15) in association with GOST Books.
For the occasion, Peter asked him a few questions for The Eye of Photography. He introduced his questions to Don as follow :
“Good Afternoon Don,
I want to ask you a few brief questions about the Now and Life. Nothing about war or death or the past. Others can do that.” – Peter Fetterman
Peter Fetterman : You have just come back from Syria. How did this trip go?
Don McCullin : The trip was fascinating, it’s my 5th visit to Palmyra. But It’s sobering to see the devastation of war on those great archaeological sites; a tragedy also with the destruction of the towns and villages.
Peter Fetterman : Do you always find new things to photograph?
Don McCullin : My eyes are always hungry.
Peter Fetterman : How at 89 years old do you still find the creative energy to travel extensively ?
Don McCullin : I find it challenging but this kind of travel invigorates me. I was considering bringing my photographic life to an end but I feel on this last trip I have something to offer.
I also have a wife who organises everything for me !
Peter Fetterman : What is the key to this?
Don McCullin : I find travel physically demanding – but I refuse Special Assistance. I also find being in the sun energising and I’m in love with photography.
Peter Fetterman : When you look at the current state of the world what are your thoughts?
Don McCullin : Depressed beyond belief by the turmoil, particularly Gaza – Palestinians deserve a homeland.
Peter Fetterman : You are a man of deep compassion and empathy. Are you still an optimist ?
Don McCullin : I have never been an optimist! But I remain positive and I enjoy the challenges of life and I’m grateful to live this long and continue to practice the thing I love.
Peter Fetterman : You will greeted at our booth at Photo London this week with much adoration.. How do you handle this with such grace?
Don McCullin : I like to exercise modesty. I’m grateful for recognition and the generosity of people towards my work, but I never sought celebrity status.
Peter Fetterman : Do you still believe in the power of photography to connect people and make them feel something or has photography now changed this forever ?
Don McCullin : Yes – but photography is changing because of the iPhone the market is flooded and it’s harder for the individual professional photographer.
Don shows fishermen playing during their lunch break is one of the photographer’s key works that the gallery will be sharing in their presentation at Photo London. It is also included in his great new book ‘Life, Death & Everything in Between’. The 140 images in ‘Life, Death & Everything in Between’-some rarely published or previously unseen -were edited by Don through the process of revisiting his archives and reassessing photographs made from the late 1950s up until 2022. The book is a selection of images valued by Don with the benefits of both hindsight and wisdom, encapsulating his prolific, varied and ongoing career.
Peter Fetterman
Special Book Signing with Sir Don McCullin
May 15th, 2:30PM | Peter Fetterman Gallery, Booth #W15
Photo London 2025 – 10th Edition
On 15-18 May 2025, with a Preview Day on 14 May
Somerset House
London WC2R 1LA, United Kingdom
www.photolondon.org
Opening Times:
Thursday 15 May: 13:00–20:00
Friday 16 May: 13:00–20:00
Saturday 17 May: 12:00–20:00
Sunday 18 May: 12:00–18:00
Peter Fetterman Gallery
2525 Michigan Ave, #A1
Santa Monica, CA 90404
T: 310 453 6463
www.peterfetterman.com
