Award-Winning Associated Press Photographer Works for Closer Ties with North Korean Photographers
As the Associated Press (AP) Chief Asia Photographer, David Guttenfelder, has had the opportunity to record news events throughout that part of the world for decades. Working from Japan, Guttenfelder has spent much of his time during the last year in North Korea, helping to negotiate the opening of an AP bureau in Pyongyang, which occurred during January 2012, and record images of one of the world’s most isolated countries.
During the AP’s negotiations with North Korean officials, it was decided to include a photo exhibition and workshop for Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) photographers. Window on North Korea exhibited both AP and KNCA photos and was on display at the 8th Floor Gallery in New York during early April. During the workshop for North Korean photographers, Guttenfelder and the AP team looked for photographers to recruit as staff members for the new AP bureau in their country. Guttenfelder has also trained and recruited local photographers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and Palestine.
Guttenfelder recently received two awards for his international news photography, especially North Korea and his images of the Japanese Tsunami of 2011. The Overseas Press Club presented him with the Olivier Rebbot Award and the Feature Photography Award.
Photograph © David Guttenfelder