Photographer Vadim Ghirda discusses visual journalism as a unifying force

Vadim Ghirda, a Bucharest-based Associated Press photographer with over 35 years of experience, discusses the power of visual journalism to act as a universal language. Ghirda, who has documented conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, Crimea, and Ukraine, emphasizes that photography can break down cultural barriers related to race, gender, and religion.

Reflecting on a specific photograph of a young girl in an angel costume, Ghirda explains how technical choices, such as using a wide-aperture lens to create a shallow depth of field, help convey the soul of a moment. He views such images of daily life as a way to offer an intimate perspective on human nature and provide a sense of hope within difficult environments.