If a picture is worth a thousand words, his spoke novels. He was Steinbeck, Tolstoy, and Tolkien, all in one. His images capture the spirit of the poor and working classes. And they grip the viewer. Refusing to let your eyes peal from the picture before you. Pictures in black and white. Pictures that seem to have been painted by brush strokes, but which are as real as the camera equipment he used.

Sebastião Salgado was an artist. And he was a documentarian. Capturing the plight of the downtrodden, but also their soul. Their beauty.

Sebastião Salgado passed away on May 23, 2025, at the age of 81.

Today, we dedicate this episode to the incredible life and work of Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. His legacy lives on.

This is episode 43 of Stories of Resistance—a podcast co-produced by The Real News and Global Exchange. Independent investigative journalism, supported by Global Exchange's Human Rights in Action program. Each week, we’ll bring you stories of resistance like this. Inspiration for dark times.
If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, share, comment, or leave a review.

And please consider signing up for the Stories of Resistance podcast feed, either in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, or wherever you listen.

Visit patreon.com/mfox for exclusive pictures, to follow Michael Fox’s reporting and to support his work.

Written and produced by Michael Fox.

Resources
Here is Sebastião Salgado’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/sebastiaosalgadooficial/
Here is a beautiful written piece about Sebastião Salgado’s work on workers: https://www.holdenluntz.com/magazine/new-arrival/sebastiao-salgados-workers-an-archeology-of-the-industrial-age/

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Sebastião Salgado: Capturing Humanity in Pictures | Stories of Resistence