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Joao Silva

Joao Silva (left) looks on at the set of the Bang Bang Club movie, Khumalo Street, Thokoza. (Greg Marinovich)

Joao Silva is the most talented and courageous contemporary conflict photographer. Bar none.

He has a penchant for danger and risk, but is never reckless. Especially not in the many war zones he covers.  Although when behind the wheel of a car, or astride a motorbike, the less said the better.

He is a humanist, with a quiet, understated empathy for everyone he meets, photographs, has a passing exchange with. Generous and funny, he makes photographs that are elegiac, graceful and important documents of lives ventured, lives cherished and lives lost.

My son Luc, aged 5, closely followed by Madeline, aged 4, came in as I was writing this. They think Joao is the best. Note: all kids and animals think Joao is the best.

Luc looked up at me solemnly and said, “Every time that you got shot, was Joao always there to support you?”

Yes, I replied, and felt a spurt of tears as my throat constricted. Luc came and hugged me tight, “I feel sad too, Dad,” he sobbed.

Madeline, standing back, held her facecloth and said “I will wash his legs to stop the blood coming. This cloth is very soft.”

Saturday 23rd, thousands of miles away from me, my best friend and soul brother lost the lower part of both his legs to a landmine while following US troops on a mine sweeping patrol. In the midst of what mayhem one can only imagine, Joao asked for his camera, so he could take pictures of his injuries. Joao is currently in Germany, at the US military hospital, and stable.

Joao was in Afghanistan for the New York Times, for whom he has been a contract photographer for several years.

An Afghan mujaheddin fighting with the Northern Alliance fires at Taliban positions Sept 1999 near Charikar on the Shomali plains. Joao Silva takes pictures on right. (Greg Marinovich)

Kevin Carter (right Joao Silva (center) and Gary Bernard (left) after the death of Abdul Sharif in Kathlehong Jan 9, 1994. Both Kevin and Gary committed suicide. (photo / Mykal Nicolau)

Oct 24, 2010 | Feature

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  • Marinovichg

    @Brkic .. i was born in South Africa .. descended from Yugoslavs

  • Carolina

    I’ve seen the move “The bang bang club” and I’m very very impressed and happy to have had the opportunity to get to know such a fascinating story. Today I’m getting the book. ;)
    All the best. Carolina

  • Anonymous

    To greg, joao, kevin, ken, gary.. amazing stories, amazing lives, amazing people.. u guys are an inspiration to all..

  • Stewart

    I have just read your (and Joao’s) book, the Bang Bang club, in one sitting! – it moved me greatly for reasons I do not fully understand. I suppose it is the awful waste of the lives and futures of talented people, like Kevin Carter and Gary Bernard, torn apart by their experiences – sad beyond words.

    I well recall the day that Ken Oosterbroek died, covered by TV news in SA as you know of course – and I always believed that the utterly incompetent, ill-trained ‘Peacekeepers’ were to blame. Some people should never be allowed near guns.

    I do not know whether I should see the movie – after the book, the movie is often a let-down.

    Thanks for a powerful story – and best wishes to you and to Joao in his recovery.

  • Windy

    When I saw all of pohotos…the photos are not only a picture but can be like an untold words (^_^)

  • Ana Monteiro

    I’m a 15yo girl and in the past 2 years I started having this loving passion for photography. I’m from portugal(also from where joao is) and when it showed up on the news about him losing both his legs to a landmine I just told myself “No way!Is he ok?” So all the best wishes to joao he’s doing great now as far as i know.
    Today i got to see the movie “The bang bang club” and It’s the greatest movie i’ve ever seen,all of you(Greg,ken,kevin&joao) are just amazing,And I feel very sad for what kevin did to himself and to all the people who judged him for such a great photo.

  • http://www.facebook.com/jaime.loro Jaime Loro

    Dear Greg. Today saw the movie “war reporter” here in Brazil. Great story, spectacular movie. So much is unknown in the world and through the lenses of these heroes in travel, live and feel the pain of every people.

    My affection and gratitude for what you have been and will be for our generations.

    Jaime Luiz Loro
    City of Unai – State of Minas Gerais – Brazil
    jl.loro @ gmail.com

  • http://www.gregmarinovich.com Greg Marinovich

    Thanks Jaime

  • Claudiogirundi

    Dear Greg.

    As my fellow countryman Jairo Loro (post below), today I also saw your movie “war reporter / bang bang club” here in Brazil.
    Great story and spectacular movie!!!!! Brazil needs your photographs, please came to BRAZIL took some photos from “Rio de Janeiro Favelas” and the DRUG WAR.

    Claudio
    City of Belo Horizonte – State of Minas Gerais – Brazil
    +55XX03185722259

  • Kiara eagar

    Dear Greg,

    I am a South African girl who grew up in Jo’berg, I have always had a passion for my country, I always believe there is a change to be made, after reading “The Bang Bang Club” I may not fully understand how you must have felt, but I like to think that I can relate to you. I found the book so inspireing the in the middle of this year, as a grade 10 history project, we had to wright about 3 South Africans who made an impact on South Africa and how they should be commemorated and through being commemorated, are not made purely on profit but on respect and remembrance, and I’m happy to say that I chose you and the rest of the bang bang club as 1 of my the South African insperations. My history teacher was thrilled to hear that i chose someone that should be recognized but whos name isnt as big as Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko and so on. So in my long winded story I hope you got the message that even though you and the people you took photographs of, may not see this way, but you truely are someone worth admiring, someone who did make a change, and that goes especially for the new generation who were not the to experince it themselve. I like to think everyone should be there own person and not follow someone elses life but i believe there are so many things that we can learn from you and your increadiable story!

    from kiara

  • Anonymous

    Hi Klara

    Thanks for your interest and your email

    I an honoured that you chose us as your subject

    all the best gm

    Greg Marinovich
    mobile +27-83-258-8908

    Blog: http://www.gregmarinovich.com/BLOG/
    Photographs: http://gregmarinovich.photoshelter.com/
    Films: http://vimeo.com/channels/163209
    Agency: http://www.storytaxi.com

  • Sara_a1791

    HI. I’m from Iran .Today I saw the film bang bang club،And through this I met with you and your friends. People like you deserve the praise Or serve. I hope you are healthy and best able to get the best pictures.

  • Sandra

    Dear Mr. Marinovich,

    I just watched The Bang Bang Club. I am struggling to find the words to express all I feel. The work you, Joao, Ken, Kevin, and all the war/conflict photojournalists and journalists do is an invaluable and immeasurable contribution to mankind, for it asks us to ask ourselves: where is our humanity? what will we do to stop the manmade suffering?

    I hope your friend, Joao, is home safely and surrounded by love and support as he learns new ways and tools to regain some mobility.

    Peace to you and your family,

    Sandra
    Laguna Beach, California, USA

  • Eroll

    I just watched the film, and taking the hat off for masters of the craft and courage. Everyone who calls themselves photographer today, should watch the movie or read the book. You and your friends have lived and documented a part of the sad and painful history of your country and other countries later. Thank you for sharing your experience and the part of the history with the rest of the world. Wishing you all the best and fast recovery to Joao, who as I just found out visited my country (Kosovo)

  • http://www.facebook.com/charlesyeozc Charles Yeo

    I just saw the movie, and now I want to read the book. The movie paints some of the Bang Bang Club’s action as overly ambitious and reckless. When I think about it, I too is exactly like that… You guys are my heroes. What you do is noble, to bring truth and light to stories that most people wouldn’t care to hear, by putting your life on the line. Thank you for the pictures.

  • Angela

    Hello Greg,

    I watched the “Bang Bang Club” film a few days ago and… it´s G-R-E-A-T !!!
    And I really felt sorry about Kevin and Gary´s death, because I do believe that professionals like you and the others (from the called “Bang Bang Club”) are the ones who, with their works, make this world move, or at least, are trying harder that many governments with their actions and representatives people.
    I did not know about your work before I saw the film. Now I am very interesyed on it!
    I hope I can get the book here in my city. CONGRATULATIONS!
    Angela
    Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

  • Marinovichg

    Hi, yes, Brazil would be fun to visit!

  • Marinovichg

    Hi Ana
    Thank you, Joao is much better, thank you, though still related health issues

  • Marinovichg

    na you, btw the book is available in Portuguese in Brazil

  • http://www.facebook.com/marcus.demostenes Marcus Gonzallez

    I just watched your movie last night and it touched me deeply inside. I can’t distinguish if you are blessed or damned by your experiences, but i can only admire you guys for your courage. I’ve been thinking what made you keep going on. Such an human history. I need to read the book.

    Marcus Demostenes Ribeiro
    Goiânia/Goiás/Brazil

  • Samantha

    I Just watched the movie “The Bang Bang Club”, and was left with the feeling of needing to just tell you thank-you. Sooooo…..thank-you Greg!

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