The current controversy of some very disturbing images coming to light from the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq has brought to center stage, for better or worse, the power of photography and its impact on all of us. Right now on Deborah Norville Tonight is a segment on the POWER OF PICTURES.

While the discussion is stimulating, I found it odd that no photojournalist was represented in the panel. What's up with that? It's not like photojournalists are incapable of stating an opinion or staking a position.

If any of you find an email address for the DNT show, would you please email it to me? I couldn't find it on the DNT web site. I'll post the transcript from tonight's show when it is up on their site.

My friend Arvind Devalia has written a book called Get A Life. Arvind is a life-coach; someone with whom you can interact to ascertain your purpose on this planet. While he may live in London, I am sure he is still accessible by means of email and telephone. The first session is free, he says. His pleasant demeanor and commitment to his own calling makes for a great combination. Check out the book and connect with him.

It's not easy coming up with a list of women photographers whose work inspires me. It's not because there are so few of them. In fact, it's just the opposite. The list is so long!

I'll begin by a listing a few here and add to this list from time to time. I think you will agree that these women are masters of their craft, have incredible discipline and present their subjects with great dignity, style and class.

Jodi Cobb in National Geographic and Photo District News

Melissa Farlow on the Aurora Photos website and at the Missouri Photo Workshops

Melissa Lyttle's personal web space and A Photo A Day

Karen Kring's personal site and her Picture This Projects

Julia Dean's site about her active workshops and her baby, The Child Labor Project

Joyce Tenneson's personal site

Mary Ellen Mark's personal site

Helen Levitt on National Public Radio and in the New York Times

Also check out Photo Betty

Magnum Photos announces the second $5,000 Inge Morath Prize, which will be awarded to a female photographer under 30 years of age. The prize is designed to assist in the completion of a long term documentary project.

Morath, an Austrian-born photographer who was associated with Magnum for almost 50 years, died in January, 2002. As Morath devoted much of her enthusiasm to encouraging women photographers, this award is given as a tribute by her colleagues.

Applicants should assemble a portfolio of slides or a CD–between 40 and 80 images–and a one-page project description. The photographer's name, telephone number and shipping and mailing address should be included.

Send support material to:

Magnum Photos Inge Morath Award
c/o Magnum Photos
151 West 25th Street 5th Floor
New York, NY 10001
USA

The deadline is June 1, 2004, and the award will be announced on July 15, 2004. Return of material is the responsibility of the applicant. Please send sufficient postage or return shipping address and courier account number.

It is with great reluctance I placed my Leica M6 and Leica 28mm lens up for auction on eBay.com today. Spring cleaning hurts!

Here they are:

My priorities may have shifted a bit too. I am more interested in replacing my trusty but rusty Powerbook that has served me well for about four years now. Time to get a G5 desktop and a high end digital camera that will come to some use as I start to photograph more weddings.

If you bid for these items and win, send me a note saying you won the item(s) and you are subscriber to this site – Tiffinbox. [I will check the Bloglet roster for your email address] In return, I'll scratch the shipping and insurance costs off for ya. Good luck bidding!