Sebastião Salgado: A Legacy of Photography and Environmentalism

Salgado's impactful career spanned over five decades, capturing the essence of hardship and beauty across the globe while advocating for environmental issues.

Sebastião Salgado, the renowned Brazilian photographer celebrated for his powerful black-and-white imagery, has died at 81. Salgado's career, which lasted 55 years, took him through 130 countries, where he artistically documented significant global events, including the Rwandan genocide, the aftermath of the Gulf War, and the famine in Sahel.

He was recognized for his unflinching portrayal of the realities of life and dedicated portions of his work to showcasing the natural world and the plight of indigenous communities.

The Instituto Terra, an environmental organization co-founded by Salgado and his wife, Lélia Wanick Salgado, released a statement reflecting on the profound influence of his work. They noted, "His lens revealed the world and its contradictions; his life, the power of transformative action."

Among his most iconic works are the haunting images taken in Brazil, showcasing desperate individuals in gold mines and the indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva honored Salgado, acknowledging him as "one of the best photographers the world has given us."

One of Salgado's notable recent projects is "Amazônia," which focuses on the intricate beauty and vulnerability of the Amazon rainforest. This project represented a deep commitment to the indigenous peoples of the region, documenting their daily lives, traditions, and harmony with nature over seven years. The resulting exhibition featured over 200 black-and-white photographs and toured prestigious locations like the Science Museum in London and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester in 2021 and 2022.

Reflecting on his extensive travels and experiences, Salgado commented in an interview, "Sometimes I ask myself, 'Sebastião, was it really you that went to all these places?' But it was indeed me."

Born in 1944, Salgado transitioned from a career in economics to photography in 1973. He initially took on assignments for several photography agencies before establishing his own, Amazonas Images, with Lélia in 1994. His work earned him numerous accolades, including the Sony World Photography Awards' Outstanding Contribution to Photography in 2024, as well as recognition as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador.

Through his efforts at Instituto Terra, Salgado and Lélia undertook significant environmental restoration, famously reviving his father’s farm in Brazil by planting millions of trees. The institute's statement poignantly emphasized that Salgado was "much more than one of the greatest photographers of our time," highlighting his dedication to the belief that environmental restoration is an act of love for humanity.