The history of photography

The History Hour

BBC

History, Society & Culture, Personal Journals

4.4 • 879 Ratings

🗓️ 24 May 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History interviews from the BBC World Service.

The expert guest is Dr Mirjam Brusius, a research fellow in colonial and global history at the German Historical Institute.

First, we hear about Martín Chambi - Peru's pioneering documentary photographer.

Then Amaize Ojeikere talks about his father, JD 'Okhai’ Ojeikere, who created an iconic collection revealing the elaborate ways African women styled their hair.

Plus, the story of Magnum Photos – the picture agency started up by World War Two photographers.

And, Vivian Maier, the nanny who - since her death - has been hailed as one of the best street photographers of the 20th century.

Finally, the mystery behind Lunch Atop a Skyscraper – the famous photograph showing 11 ironworkers eating lunch nearly 70 storeys high.

Contributors:

Roberto Chambi – grandson of photographer Martín Chambi Dr Mirjam Brusius - research fellow in colonial and global history at the German Historical Institute Amaize Ojeikere – son of photographer JD 'Okhai’ Ojeikere Christine Roussel – Rockefeller Center archivist Jinx Rodger - widow of George Rodger, one of the founders of Magnum Photos Inge Bondi - Magnum Photos employee

(Photo: Two books of photographs in the exhibition 'Martin Chambi and his contemporaries’. Credit: Getty Images)

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself. My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport podcasts. I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with leading journalists, experienced pundits and the biggest sports stars. Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights straight from the player's mouths. But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is our unique access to the sporting world.
0:24.6	What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:30.6	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:35.6	Hello and welcome to the to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:44.9	Hello and welcome to The History Hour from the BBC World Service with me, Max Pearson,
0:47.6	the past brought to life by those who were there.
0:54.4	This week, a snapshot of great photographers, including the founders of the famous agency Magnum Photos.
1:00.1	The group of lunatics, very passionate, who suddenly found the world changed,
1:05.6	but wanted to continue to operate on their own and were willing to take risks.
1:10.7	Also Vivian Meyer, the nanny, who was secretly a stellar street photographer. People have assumed that because Vivian did not show her work during her lifetime,
1:17.6	that Vivian did not want to show her work during her lifetime.
1:21.6	And lunch atop a skyscraper, the iconic photo of daredevil construction workers.
1:26.6	Being 50 stories up, they don't trouble to land for meals.
1:31.1	They have them alfresco.
1:33.8	Surely no bird ever perched so precariously as these humans.
1:37.4	That's all coming up later.
1:38.5	But first, we're going back to the early 20th century.
1:40.9	To find out what inspired one of Peru's greatest photographers to pick up a camera
1:45.8	and begin documenting the everyday life and culture of the indigenous people, of which he was one.
1:52.2	His work has helped to shape the way the country is seen around the world. Developing this story
1:57.0	for us is Jacqueline Payne.
2:04.6	He was a great communicator. He made friends easily, and he inspired trust among people.
	...

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