Matt Black Wins 2015 W. Eugene Smith Grant

It’s not so much the announcing of the award (a $30,000 grant for humanistic photography) as it is how Matt Black talks about the importance of the work:

Black says he has struggled with the question of how much his work can affect change. “In the end, I have to accept the role I have—to make these photographs—and have faith that it will have impact and change perceptions. It has to begin with understanding the situation. It’s an incredibly powerful thing that photography can do.”

That’s why we do this work.

Congratulations, Mr. Black – everyone should spend some time with his work.