Yuri Kozyrev
Encyclopedia
Yuri Kozyrev, , is a Russia
n photographer who has been a professional photojournalist since 1990. For an extended period, he worked in Baghdad
for Time
. He is now based in Moscow.
School of Journalism in 1986. He has covered major conflicts in the former Soviet Union
including two wars in Chechnya
. In late 2001, he documented the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan
. For most of the past eight years he has been in Iraq
where he has covered both sides of the conflict. "In extreme situations you get to see human nature and genuine human emotions in all their intensity," explains Kozyrev, conscious of the constant danger he faces when covering war zones.
Kozyrev explains he was inspired by Red Army photographer Yevgeny Khaldei
. He considers himself lucky to have been able to start working as a photojournalist in Russia with opportunities to cover conflicts in the Soviet Union
or the Chechen War
. As a result of the political and social conditions, it was a interesting period for journalists.
In a recent interview in Moscow, Kozyrev explained how important it was for him to follow his intuition and to become well acquainted with the place where he was working. In Iraq, for example, he spent a lot of time with locals who became close friends, even roommates. Interestingly, he commented: "I do not live with the Americans but by myself, in the city. This is a matter of principle. I do not want to be seen as an American photographer, photographing for the American press. No, rather as a Russian photographer, photographing for the American press, living independently".
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n photographer who has been a professional photojournalist since 1990. For an extended period, he worked in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
for Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
. He is now based in Moscow.
Career
Kozyrev graduated from the Moscow State UniversityMoscow State University
Lomonosov Moscow State University , previously known as Lomonosov University or MSU , is the largest university in Russia. Founded in 1755, it also claims to be one of the oldest university in Russia and to have the tallest educational building in the world. Its current rector is Viktor Sadovnichiy...
School of Journalism in 1986. He has covered major conflicts in the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
including two wars in Chechnya
Chechnya
The Chechen Republic , commonly referred to as Chechnya , also spelled Chechnia or Chechenia, sometimes referred to as Ichkeria , is a federal subject of Russia . It is located in the southeastern part of Europe in the Northern Caucasus mountains. The capital of the republic is the city of Grozny...
. In late 2001, he documented the fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. For most of the past eight years he has been in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
where he has covered both sides of the conflict. "In extreme situations you get to see human nature and genuine human emotions in all their intensity," explains Kozyrev, conscious of the constant danger he faces when covering war zones.
Kozyrev explains he was inspired by Red Army photographer Yevgeny Khaldei
Yevgeny Khaldei
Yevgeny Khaldei was a Red Army photographer, best known for his World War II photograph of a Soviet soldier Raising a flag over the Reichstag, in Berlin, capital of the vanquished Nazi Germany .-Life:...
. He considers himself lucky to have been able to start working as a photojournalist in Russia with opportunities to cover conflicts in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
or the Chechen War
First Chechen War
The First Chechen War, also known as the War in Chechnya, was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, fought from December 1994 to August 1996...
. As a result of the political and social conditions, it was a interesting period for journalists.
In a recent interview in Moscow, Kozyrev explained how important it was for him to follow his intuition and to become well acquainted with the place where he was working. In Iraq, for example, he spent a lot of time with locals who became close friends, even roommates. Interestingly, he commented: "I do not live with the Americans but by myself, in the city. This is a matter of principle. I do not want to be seen as an American photographer, photographing for the American press. No, rather as a Russian photographer, photographing for the American press, living independently".
Awards
- 2011: Visa d'or News Award for his coverage of the Arab SpringArab SpringThe Arab Spring , otherwise known as the Arab Awakening, is a revolutionary wave of demonstrations and protests occurring in the Arab world that began on Saturday, 18 December 2010...
for Time Magazine. - 2008: Main Frontline Award, sponsored by Canon, for his photographic essay on the Iraq War.
- 2006: Infinity Award for Photojournalism.
- 2003, World Press PhotoWorld Press PhotoWorld Press Photo is an independent, non-profit organization based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Founded in 1955 the organization is known for holding the world's largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest....
: 1st prize, General News stories - 2004: World Press Photo, 2nd prize, Spot News stories.
- 2002: The Overseas Press ClubOverseas Press ClubThe Overseas Press Club of America was founded in 1939 in New York City by a group of foreign correspondents. The wire service reporter Carol Weld was a founding member...
's Olivier Rebbot Award for "The Iraq War".
Exhibitions
- "Inside Iraq", Visa pour l'Image, Perpignan, France 2008
- "Iraq: Witnessed", War Photo Limited, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 2007
- "Iraq 2002-2006", The Center of Photography of Lectoure, France, 2006
- "Chechnya 2000", Moscow, Russia. 2000.