Exploring Intimacy Through the Lens
The renowned Magnum photo agency has curated an exhibition that brings together the work of a dozen female photographers at C/O Berlin. This collection invites visitors to reflect on the concept of intimacy and consider how close the camera should be to its subject. The exhibition, which originally debuted in 2022 at New York’s International Center of Photography to celebrate the agency’s 75th anniversary, highlights the evolving nature of Magnum’s portfolio.
Andrea Holzherr, the curator for Magnum Photos, emphasizes the significance of this exhibition. “It is an important exhibition for us because it shows the changes that the agency has undergone over the decades,” she explains. Holzherr also notes that Magnum continues to evolve by welcoming young photographers into the agency every year.
A Natural Evolution
There was no deliberate effort to expand Magnum’s representation of women photographers. Instead, it has been a natural progression as more women have chosen to capture life through their cameras. One such photographer is Iranian artist Newsha Tavakolian, known for her powerful storytelling and ability to capture human emotion.
Tavakolian’s work includes a series of portraits taken in her own bedroom. “We used to talk to each other for hours,” she recalls about the process of inviting her neighbors to sit for her. Sometimes, she had to persuade them to participate. “We wanted to understand each other and then find common ground. And then they sort of gave me permission to portray them.”
Her photographs freeze time, allowing viewers to spend as much time as they want examining the image. “With a photograph, you freeze time,” she tells Euronews Culture. “Then viewers can spend as much time as they want looking at the picture.”
The Power of the Camera
Tavakolian observes that the camera has become more accessible. “Now everyone has this tool in their hands,” she says, referring to mobile phones. “It’s no longer about being privileged or not. It’s about what you have to say.”
Her portrait series captures not only individual moments but also the state of society. Tavakolian has received numerous awards, including the Carmignac Gestion Award and the Prince Claus Award, for her contributions to photography.
The Role of Photography Today
According to Holzherr, photography today is about people around the world and their communities. “It’s about politics, society and contemporary history,” she says. She adds that mobile phone pictures cannot convey the same depth as professional photography.
For the 25th anniversary of C/O Berlin, the exhibition will be presented in an adapted and expanded version. A central theme of the works is the relationship between photographers and their subjects. Inspired by a famous quote from Magnum co-founder Robert Capa—”If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”—the exhibition title questions his observation.
Exhibition Details
The exhibition titledClose Enoughis currently on display at C/O Berlin until 28 January 2026. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the intimate connections between photographers and their subjects, reflecting on the role of photography in capturing the essence of human experience.