A Master at Work: Sir Don McCullin Kolkata

Don McCullin has been filmed discussing his photography many times during his long career, but rarely has he been shown shooting in the field. So when plans were mooted for making a documentary showing him in action, with the world’s most renowned photojournalists keen on the concept, they knew they had a rare opportunity that would make the photographic world sit up and take note.
Film director Clive Booth, cinematographer Chris Clarke and Sir Don McCullin’s manager, Mark George, tell the behind-the-scenes story of how they made the documentary film, 'McCullin in Kolkata'.
You can read more about it here: canon.sm/3O8jnTM
Check out Sir Don McCullin's camera: canon.sm/3IUQNnX
Explore the new Cinema EOS system: canon.sm/3AMfdOi

[@AndySnap]

There can never be too much McCullin, Sir Don is truly one of the finest ever. Clive Booth's film is a wonderful insight into the man and his photography, just look at his energy with a camera! So many lessons for us in just 19 minutes...

[@AB.926]

yeah never enough creep for you??

[@alizarin89]

@@AB.926 You've posted pretty much the same comment ten times on this one video. Are you feeling alright?

[@orionlafuente]

Absolutely disrespectful and out of touch, there's 0 to like from McCullin or Canon abusing the poor people in Kolkata with commercial purposes. Does he think he's in a safari? Probably the worst photography video I ever seen, and a clear example of what not to do.

[@jkb462]

He actually loves the city. “I want to disturb people, but I also want to please people” - Don McCullin. Guess he’s succeeded.

[@theoldfilmbloke]

I'm 83 now- been in Photography since 1951 using my Mum's Kodak Brownie Hawkeye box camera and ex-RAF WWII film ! I would love to have go at a Canon 5DS Mk III --- been out today on my 'Lockdown Exercise ' with a 1950's Rolleiflex T via Sons of my deceased great Old Friend of over 70 years -- now looking forward to developing the outdated film in Home-made Developer -- NO 'PhotoShop' used !

[@justice.wilson686]

It would be nice to see your work.

[@StereoChimps]

where can we find ur work it must be amazing!

[@davewyman]

Nothing wrong with a Rolleiflex T! I hope you’re still out and about making photographs.

[@Fwm_fam_2.0]

Og

[@margaretmoore7034]

@@StereoChimps Watch his videos, you can see a lot of his work on most of them. Peter is quite famous and very popular on KZbin.. and he takes great pictures.

[@michaelpeberday9167]

As a 64 yr old ex pro photographer I have few heroes or people I would love to meet ,Sir Don McCullin is one of them.He truly is a living legend in photography.I could listen to him all day.

[@souptikmukhopadhyay6531]

I am from Kolkata and I will have to point out that there is much more to my city than poverty .... poverty and desperation exists in every part of the world and there are many homeless people in the UK as well.... this video focuses too much on the poverty aspect while totally ignoring culture, history, heritage, lifestyles .... we have some industries, many wealthy businessmen, educational institutions, students much like every other city in the world ... stop highlighting my nation as the typical poverty striken one and portray a more realistic version of ourselfs. Otherwise there will come a day when we will run out of patience and hospitality towards foreigners that you were so appreciative about.

[@raulcarballo1954]

I'm from Argentina and I think the same as you. I found it very disrespectful and invasive as a photographer. You can portray the human being by focusing on the dignity of people

[@nickreid5939]

Best comment.....colonialism

[@akashbart2765]

With no disrespect to him or Canon. There was a time for this kind of photograph and the place was probably Calcutta(Kolkata, as we call it now), but that era has long been gone. True, poverty still lingers in strong - but where does it not? The main point of photojournalism, to me, is to raise questions and raise awareness. This question of poverty had been raised a long time ago and people are aware of it. Additional photographs only make a mockery out of the people, it doesn't add anything. His niche probably is war-torn places or conflict-ridden countries - so perhaps that is why he cannot steer away from it. He kept bringing up the dignity of the people of Kolkata, but none of his photographs from this session portrayed it, none. He did not see a single child going to morning school? He did not see a single person paying for stuff at a marketplace with his/her hard-earned money, yet he saw people and kids begging for money? He did not see even a single case of anything that resembles 'dignity' or 'hope'? To me, this doesn't look like a Master at work, this looks like an old man running around with a camera, making the streets work for him instead of working the streets himself (he asked multiple people to move so that he can get the perfect frame - now, being an old British person, what he failed to understand is that he is not doing a favor to them by taking their pictures, they are doing him a favor by allowing him - who is he to them? Nobody. What does his work do to alleviate their lives? Nothing... He actually is nothing to them - but he lacks the humility to accept that while taking the photos. I am sorry for sounding crude but he reminds me of the song by Pink Floyd, 'Pig'... He pretty much acted like an old white pig during this session), his words and works are often in conflict, unable to break out of his own comfort zone or niche. He could have revisited Kolkata and compared it to what it was like since his last visit, since the Bangladesh war, that would have been interesting instead of this freak circus show. Such a shame. Such a damn shame...

[@toke7560]

He was showing the tolerance and beauty of the poor people. Everyone knows there is much more to your fantastic nation.

[@jojvisuals1865]

I'm stuck in a rut right now. I've become out of touch of photography since the start of pandemic and it feels I wasted so much of those time. So I'm watching documentaries about photography and storytelling to go back and get my drive back. Watching documentaries opens your eyes to stories and perceptions of people.

[@andyoncam1]

Many years ago I was camera assistant on a documentary about Lord Olivier being filmed at the National Theatre in London. There was a stills photographer there who had a similar Billingham camera bag as me and we got into conversation about the merits of said gadget bags. I was called away by my cameraman, so I parted by saying 'Interesting talking with you. My name's Andy'. 'Likewise,' he replied, 'my name's Don.' How could I not have recognised one of my favourite photographers? other than by being more familiar with his great work than his face.

[@vikdaddy]

I watch this every six months or so purely for inspiration. McCullin's ability to compose and lend context to his frames astounds me.

[@bradleyrieger1517]

It's comforting to know that a great photographer like Sir Don chimps just like us mortals!

[@paulisemonger280]

Since I was a teen he has been my main photographic inspiration. He ‘feels’ his images. Totally connected. Awesome human being and the worlds best photographer. Ever. And a very wise man. Great documentary. I became a pro photographer thanks to the desire to take photos like the great man. Of course my images were pale shadows of his work, but the ethos and style of Don stays with me to this day. Alas I can no longer afford pro cameras but it is a great discipline to make images with a simple camera. The documentary was a blast. Thank you Canon, i stayed loyal to the brand throughout my life, and most of all thank you Sir Don.

[@iaincphotography6051]

This man is the reason I picked up a camera in the first place. Through film into digital and many, oh so many photographs thank you Sir Don you are a true inspiration.

[@johnhoey4605]

Having traveled to India 3 times, and taken well over 13K images from Delhi to Bangalore to Chennai, I can attest to the magnificence of this wonderful country. The people are the most amazing and friendly you will ever meet. India is indeed a photographer’s dream!

[@christophevw2241]

I love sir McCullin, i believe he's still one of the best photographers ever.

[@dziadowskyx2331]

Yeah amazing places

[@JuganautTimelapse]

Very inspiring documentary. What's more inspiring is Don's enthusiasm at the age of 82. You can see, when he walks around looking for a shot he becomes ageless. The message is clear, do what you love to do.

[@reinhardankenbauer3241]

Spent about a year in Calcutta, over the decades. Every day a gift from God! There's no wasted time in Calcutta. Longing to be back, forty years after my first visit.

[@Fontsman]

Don's body of work, eloquence and incredible eye are priceless.

[@Tempestwolf49]

I'm not a photographer and 'Kolkata is all about poverty' is all I got from this documentary, but my friend who is a photographer is a lot inspired by it. Edit : India is not about poverty'.

[@soumyadebchakraborty1344]

A mere thanks to you Canon won't be enough for bringing this masterpiece before us, in its all authenticity. Being a resident of Kolkata, I really feel overjoyed how Sir Don McCullin interpreted the latent language of an ever excited city. Clive Booth and Chris Clarke, take my humble NAMASTE!

[@cliveboothphoto4352]

Thankyou Soumyadeb, I’m so pleased you like the film. It’s very special to all of us involved as well as being a huge privilage to work in collaboration with Don and the wonderful people of Kolkata!

[@Gothamatic]

Ugh finally something worth watching about photography on KZbin. Much much appreciated

[@dm976]

7:29 the way he handles this situation is incredible. Interacting and leavingnthe kid with a smile..

[@anaray1634]

well yes, but it would be better if he would gave them money, cause as he said people are struggling there

[@hildavandermeulen6445]

I enjoyed this immensely since I love india..... He's a photojournalist so he will film things I don't but I loved the energy colour

[@drrajstravelphotography]

Dear Sir Don I am a Doc and Self taught phographer. Thanks for giving a great lesson on the SOUL OF PHOTOGRAPHY.

[@vijayant_rai]

I lived here for three years, it's an absolutely amazing place. Thank you for the lovely tour !

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

Sat across from him on a train going towards Devin. Had no idea who he was until the lady across read out his emails. “Don, have loved your work.” “Don would be honoured if you could...” Work ? Don ? Now I only know of one Don, looked up on google and theirs the chap that’s sitting across from me. Kindly asked him for a signature and he signed his own paper and handed it to me. Said a courteous goodbye. An enjoyable experience and one of the few times I was familiar of the work but not the man.

[@ffotograffyddgohebwyr8308]

Oh my God a Bloody advert.I've just been to see his TATE BRITAIN exhibition.Mind blowing.There are statements he has made written on the walls of the exhibition.One of them states that no matter what equipment he could use, the photographs would be the same.

[@65WZ]

Some photographer friends wonder why I carried two bodies with 85/1.2 & 35/1.4, and now I see Sir Don with two bodies.. That’s very good company 😊

[@bikecommuter24]

Excellent Video. I love Sir McCullin's comments on the passion of photography. I just hope if I reach his age I can still do what he does.

[@timothylinn]

This was epic. I wish there was a new video every week of McCullin shooting in India. Amazing photographer in a breathtaking place.

[@TedNemeth]

I absolutely enjoyed this. I’m a traveling videographer. A new one. I love seeing stories, perspectives like this. I suppose the fact that he’s from the generation before mine,….adds to the nostalgia of it.

[@35mmview18]

I've photographed Kolkata and it is quite simply a banquet for the eyes. You really don't know where to turn next. Wonderful place, wonderful people ad of course Don is wonderful as well.

[@winstonllamas5163]

Thank you Don McCullin, for your using your abilities to show the world that we can be in a better place. And for finding dignity in everyone. And for the photographs that show us who we are and what we can be.

[@noelwilson5960]

Wow! What a gem of a film and insight from the great photojournalist himself, Sir Don McCullin. Bravo everyone.

[@reinholdmaximilian214]

I love your photos. A great man. Thank you. Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@toke7560]

What an incredible place. What such lovely people. Don Mcullin, one of the worlds greats.

[@DessieTots]

I don’t want to take anything away from McCullin’s legacy but these Kolkata images are little more than thoughtful snaps. Photographs like these are everywhere. Online, in books, on the television, etc. I would have been impressed beyond description if he had taken the man with the enormous tumour on his face and offered to pay to have it removed. It’s India and no one has enough money to fix all the misery seen on the streets. But on this occasion running around taking photographs isn’t going to advantage anyone other than McCullin. I’ve grown tired of hearing McCullin’s angst and guilt he expresses so often. It’s well rehearsed. He is still ambitious and in reality probably doesn’t give a flying f**k if he can get a result.

[@AB.926]

Thank you for saying this. This shit has been going on for far too long and I am glad more and more people are calling this type of bullshit out.

[@ribsy]

i agree entirely -- pretty shocked at how many comments are glorifying this video without making any mention of the giant elephant in the room: white british man taking TONS photos of poor indian people on the streets, masquerading it as 'beauty, intrigue, colorfulness'. you'd could confuse his actions with someone on safari. i don't want to fully judge off of one video - but this one didn't look good

[@nickreid5939]

@@ribsy Best comment

[@peterliggins6299]

So inspiring! A true professional who always evokes feelings with his images.

[@wilbuzllf5057]

Thank you so much for this, it was superb and it's awesome seeing him, at 82, move almost like a youth! /Rasmus

[@scottgibbs5903]

Thank you so much for this. It’s inspirational. I’m 66 years old and the need to truly live is bitting at my heals. I have no photography experience but I do write a lot. I have a concept of a story I want to tell both with pictures and with words. Your video is fuel to my dream.

[@ChristineWilsonPhotography]

A true master of the street , fabulous video, good advice "don't wast a day of your life, you should be out there every day "

[@rosemanbridge1000]

Excellent film, such an inspiring and talented legend 👏

[@julioestebanperezescudero6246]

I like a lot Don photography. But what amaze me even more is the India’s people dignity and kindness regardless of the extreme situation. I’m asking myself, did photography change the lives of people for the better?

[@davidthompson8153]

One of the best photographers of our time. Just stunning work and a voice you could listen to all day.

[@mike747436]

11.34. I’d swear I saw a film advance reflex there!😂 What a man; what a life!

[@georgeclinton6833]

I love the confidence he has, the way he moves people to get the shots he wants. This is the cost to photograph the streets. DMC is a legend.

[@noephoto85]

I see all this and think: i need a Canon 5d mark IV :D ..no, it's a joke! But Sir Don McCullins work is amazing and very inspirend. Thank you!

[@endevorarya]

This is a master piece. A rare piece of work on documenting photography. Thanks a lot...

[@hologram3604]

This is how you work the streets as a photographer. Getting complicity with your subjects. Be brave. Don't be pushy. Make people feel they have their 15 seconds of fame and they will give you a picture worth sharing.

[@woodrowclose]

We as photographers are blessed to have found something which ignites so much passion.

[@garykinmun]

Camera is great He is an inspiration Importance of the light Man is an icon Professional at work Imagination of the man Never give up Greatest photographer ever lived

[@carmenfissenden2530]

I remember Don as a student photographer and I think it influenced my own photography along the way . After being trained as a scientist , then a spell as an academic and then used that to branch in to practicing law . I am semi retired now and can no longer use my old 5D cameras . At 70, I am still shooting and rely on my phone and MFT to capture my world. I too print my work and have growing collection of books that photographers and non photographers enjoy . So, thanks to Don and a few others who inspired me in my youth , I continue to write and take pictures . Thank you Don for being one of those who inspired me in my youth .

[@davidvongries]

Wow, I didn’t know how much I needed to watch this. Thank you!

[@sachinsharma-ti6yc]

i am soooooooooooo happy that i found this treasure in the guise of this video

[@SLEHphoto]

Impressive. Inspiring. Unforgettable.

[@ShavonSmith]

This was such great insight of the mind of Sir Don McCullin Kolkata

[@thepanel2935]

I am a pro photographer in Sydney, Australia. I have worked on assignments all over the world and have worked with almost all of the major news-wire services and image libraries - Getty, Corbis, AP, Reuters, Alamy, AFP, etc. I'd really like to know which lenses Don usually has in his kit, although that can obviously change, depending on the type of assignment it is - working in low-light, working at distances where long lenses are needed, interiors/indoors, etc. He's obviously shooting with Canon gear, but which lenses are his favourites, and why?

[@CanonEurope]

Hi! We can't help with Sir Don McCullin's current favourites, but in this video he used the EF 85mm f/1.2L II and the EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM 👍

[@sachinsharma-ti6yc]

they have enormous tolerance. Love to Hear that 💜

[@IainHC1]

I SO love this bloke!! :-)

[@caninlon]

Wow! Just wow!

[@subrotomitra]

Astounding look at my home's inner cities - every one gets a chance to survive and find a way...thank you.. I am inspired

[@dickverton]

You make a excellent reportage from this place! I get homesick to India!

[@harrisonshook507]

absolutely incredible. what a perspective

[@luchobrenessalazar4848]

I think photography is a social endeavor, a compromise with humanity to portrait how we existed through our own lenses. As photographers we definitely need to be aware of this important fact and I say this because I'm a poor guy from Managua Nicaragua who fell in love into photography and I performed on busses and that experience enriched each frame that I took through this years... social photography saved my life!

[@abchappell01]

Absolutely beautiful presentation!

[@JLStreetDoc]

Inspiring. What an amazing place. Sir Don, you’re a legend.

[@wolfharley1]

Thank you for the motivation and opportunity to lear from your work

[@asifumar4800]

Tripped on this beautiful visual last night

[@lassellgraham2306]

This was a fantastic video really enjoyed great photographer at work.

[@keithspangler4814]

Amazingly done .... Inspiring, educational and loving

[@hectorcesar67]

so inspiring!

[@sachinsharma-ti6yc]

i love how you handled and played with those kids asking for money

[@djduffy1000]

Wow what an amazing film, Sir Don has always been one of my favourite photographers with his unique style of getting in there amongst what is happening. Thank you for a life of inspiration.

[@peterhall728]

What a Gent. Absolutely unparalleled in his art Form.

[@teleaddict23]

I can see the appeal of digital but it’s much more rewarding to have a binder full of physical negatives than a hard drive full of pictures files.

[@iainmacdonald7034]

Bloody excellent! Thank you, Canon 🙏

[@QuaqQuao]

Well this took its own sweet time coming to me, but it did. And I was struck by it. Thank you.

[@dickverton]

I enjoyed! Great images!

[@nickathos7428]

Don is an OG the best to ever do it i could watch docos of him all day

[@MrPressPhotographer4]

Your never to old for digital Don.

[@alexforsyth5895]

Incredible photos by a master.

[@otavioleitefotografia]

Great video!

[@krazyk57]

82 years young…God bless him....

[@sunesnigel]

Does anyone know what lens besides a 35 he's using?

[@sacred406]

Just before the covid scam. How is this beautiful place and her people today, 2022? Gorgeous captures. A place I'd love to visit for at least a month.

[@haeskenhoff]

Remarkable, thank you🙏🏼✨

[@martinlawrence8427]

Great film!

[@VJ40000]

Which building is he in at 14.2 minutes of the video ?

[@HarryPotter-rq8ej]

Learned lots of lessons ❤

[@MadderMel]

An amazing man , shooting amazing people , in an amazing place !

[@tedosmond413]

82 years old....

[@lachlanharmer-film7201]

Recording the last of the jagged edges... that is powerful!

[@berndpape407]

Super . . . !

[@DeborahWhiteheadBee7]

Culture is everything…. You better hold on to it!😮 the great video

[@blackcountrywalker]

it's a shame real photojournalism and journalism doesn't exist anymore in the media.

[@kamalpreetsingh1686]

What kind of world we are living in....... extreme poverty, suffering,agony, distress,war.......

[@bi11ie]

I have no idea why this was recommended to me via KZbin… The first video on my timeline after the New Year 2022… I hear you UNIVERSE 🙏🏾

[@Jordan-ff6mc]

what lens was he using?

[@ChrisW.Fuji_Canon]

wonderful docu

[@nickfanzo]

Legend

[@nelsinhostreetphotography686]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing.

[@nas9071]

Now this is street photography. No need for L word and 10000+ megapixels.

[@nik79001]

what cameras did he used?

[@JohnSoh]

Canon EOS 5d mark IV