Why I turned my camera from Hollywood to Palestine | Misan Harriman

This week on The Big Picture Podcast we’re joined by celebrated photographer and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Misan Harriman.

Harriman has built a global following through his moving black and white photography of the world’s most recognisable faces, becoming the first ever Black photographer to shoot the cover of Vogue.

Since then, he made his directorial debut with the emotional short film ruminating on grief, The After, which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2024.

His new documentary, Shoot The People, chronicles his own story as he travels the world drawing inspiration from the Anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa, Black Lives Matter in the US and the Gaza ceasefire movement here in the UK.

But what makes Harriman stand out is what he chooses to turn his lens, and his platform, towards. 

Since October 7, he’s been a staple of pro-Palestine rallies, searching through the crowds for individual protesters with a message that resonates with him, and showing that to the world. 

Before that he covered the Black Lives Matter movement, framing ordinary people in extraordinary ways, giving them the same intimate and dramatic treatment he gives to the world’s rich and famous.

And through his lens, he sends a message.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this episode, and any guests you'd like us to have on our show. Reach us by email at mh@middleeasteye.org or find us on instagram @BigPictureMee.

You can also watch all our episodes on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMyaP73Ho1ySj3cO0OSOHZAOgD1WTDixG