Genocide survivor Movses Haneshyan looking at a picture of his former home in Armenia, by Diana Markosian. Image courtesy of Magnum

Magnum member Abbas on the agency's new talent

The Magnum photographer describes what he and his members see in the work of new nominee Diana Markosian

Abbas, the Iranian-born photographer knows what it's like to have his work scrutinised by his peers. The Magnum member, speaking to Phaidon a few days after the photo agency’s annual general meeting in London, recalled having to present his work to the agency AGM in the early eighties, as a prospective member, shortly after he had covered the revolution in Iran.

“It was hard,” he laughs. “I produced some of my best work covering the revolution, and they said “We know you can do news. So what?” But that’s a good thing – it’s an intellectual kick. That’s what you get from Magnum. A year later the Magnum member Dennis Stock said, “You won’t always be able to run so fast. What are you going to do when other guys can run faster than you?” So I went to Mexico, where nothing was happening, and I travelled the country. I got two books out of that trip. It was like a journalist slowing down to write a novel.”

 

An Afghan woman bakes bread in her home. Afghanistan, Badakhshan, by Diana Markosian. Image courtesy of Magnum Photos
An Afghan woman bakes bread in her home. Afghanistan, Badakhshan, by Diana Markosian. Image courtesy of Magnum Photos

Abbas, currently a full member of Magnum and also a Phaidon author, approves of the agency’s tiered approach, which at first invites prospects to join as nominees, then, after a period of two years, assesses their work once again, before offering associate membership. “Nominee, associate, full member; it eases them in,” he says.

So what does Abbas and his fellow members look for in a young photojournalist? “Scope,” he says. “When we take on nominees we don’t only see what he or she has done, but also consider how she or he can grow with us.”

Nowhere is this more apparent than in the work of the young 2016 nominee Diana Markosian. The 26-year-old American and Russian photographer of Armenian descent has covered major news events around the world, and also produced personal photo essays, influenced by the work of the French fine-art photographer Sophie Calle, including a haunting series about her estranged father.

“Her work was touching because she didn’t see her father for 20 years,” says Abbas. “It was like a search for that missing family member. I think her work can grow in some very interesting directions.”

 

Monks at their home before morning alms in Myitkyina, Myanmar by Diana Markosian. Image courtesy of Magnum Photos
Monks at their home before morning alms in Myitkyina, Myanmar by Diana Markosian. Image courtesy of Magnum Photos

Former Magnum president and fellow Phaidon author Stuart Franklin concurs, highlighting Markosian's "very sensitive approach to documentary,” in the phototgrapher's nominee citation. Though, Abbas has a warning for Diana when it comes to listening to advice from her fellow Magnum photographers.

“You can’t respect every opinion you hear at Magnum ” he laughs. “When we meet, you get as many opinions as members.” Wise words, from one of the agency’s more senior ones.

You can order Abbas's forthcoming book on Hinduism, Gods I've Seen, here; order Stuart Franklin's book, The Documentary Impulse here; and browse through all our Magnum titles here.