Overview
"Magnum is a community of thought, a shared human quality, a curiosity about what is going on in the world, a respect for what is going on and a desire to transcribe it visually"
- Henri Cartier-Bresson
Magnum Photos is a cooperative of acclaimed, independent photographers who share an ongoing commitment to documenting world events, people, places, daily life and culture. Founded in 1947, Magnum Photos has been telling stories of the past, defining the present, and shaping the future through photography for over 79 years, united by its values of uncompromising excellence, truth, respect and independence. With an online audience of over 6.6 million, and a rolling program of museum shows, exhibitions, and events across the globe, Magnum photographers continue to inspire a growing worldwide audience.
Magnum photographers have documented many of the world’s major events and personalities since the 1930s; covering industry, society and people, places of interest, politics and news events, disasters and conflict. Magnum photographers are a rarity and the agency is self-selecting; full membership is a minimum four-year process.
