Can Photography Change the World? A Conversation with David Bacon

Photography for the Revolution

Can photography change the world? A conversation with David Bacon

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In this edition of Get the Picture Podcast, host Brad Sigal talks with long-time movement photographer David Bacon about his recent 3-part workshop hosted by the UCLA Labor Center, “Photography for the Revolution.” 

They also dive into some progressive and revolutionary photographers throughout history like Alberto Korda and Tina Mondotti, explore cases of political repression against independent journalists, and look at the political legacy of Ansel Adams with a more critical eye. 

Follow David’s work: https://davidbaconrealitycheck.blogspot.com/ 

David Bacon’s 3-part ‘Photography for the Revolution’ series, hosted by the UCLA Labor Center:

• Part 1: The Politics of Social Justice Photography https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RNeK7znpzk
• Part 2: Images in Action: Positionality & Participation https://youtu.be/mT1RiO-6mCg 
• Part 3: Building a Worker-Centered Project https://youtu.be/8xkf9jvoiNY 

Some things mentioned in this episode:

Freelance journalists’ union: Newsguild-CWA Local 39521 https://www.guildfreelancers.org/ 

Get the Picture episode with Amelia Rayno talking about Wood Street Commons and Skid Row https://youtu.be/ByHMvhlgWik 

Get the Picture episode about the 100 Strangers Project https://youtu.be/PddWU7_xUJY 

Class Conscious Photographers https://classconsciousphotographers.org/ 

As Left Erupted in Protest, Ansel Adams Moved Right by David Bacon https://jacobin.com/2025/06/ansel-adams-berkeley-fsm-left 

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Music: Fresh Flow Fiesta by Oleksii Holubiev: https://pixabay.com/music/beats-fresh-flow-fiesta-160920/