Detroit Photojournalist Returns From Refugee Rescue Efforts In Mediterranean
“I want to have the most honest portrayal of their life.”
Several weeks ago we spoke with Detroit-based photojournalist Kenny Karpov from a rescue vessel in the Mediterranean Sea outside of Libya. Kaprov was documenting international efforts to rescue hundreds of people at a time off of small, insufficient boats making their way to a chance at a better life in Italy or Greece.
Karpov’s photos are at once beautiful and horrific, depicting real lives torn asunder by war and desperation. Karpov is back in Detroit now, but plans to head back out to the Mediterranean in 2017.
“My approach is being very sensitive to your surroundings… I want to have the most honest portrayal of their life,” says Karpov.
Karpov says the three to four day rescue missions across unpredictable seas are both physically and emotionally challenging.
“They are fleeing conflict, fleeing violence, and fleeing civil war,” says Karpov. “This took me completely out of my comfort zone.”
To hear more from Karpov on Detroit Today, click on the audio player above. Check out more of Karpov’s photos below.
