A Tribute to Discomfort: Cory Richards

Summary

This powerful story follows the journey of a photographer who, after dropping out of high school and facing homelessness, found his voice through photography. He recounts life-changing moments, including an avalanche in the Karakoram Himalayas, and how his photography captures the raw human experience of struggle, triumph, and connection. With a deep sense of adventure, he explores the world, documenting intimate moments and the beauty of the human spirit. His work transcends personal experiences, aiming to communicate universal stories of resilience, love, and the joy of life amidst challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Photography became the narrator of the speaker's life, offering a voice amid the struggle of growing up without formal education and experiencing homelessness.
• 😀 Adventure is defined as stepping out of one's comfort zone, with the speaker viewing their journey into the mountains as their ultimate form of adventure.
• 😀 In 2010-2011, the speaker traveled to Pakistan to make the first ascent of Gasherbrum II, an 8,000-meter peak in the Karakoram, marking a transformative moment in their life.
• 😀 A life-threatening avalanche during the descent of Gasherbrum II led to a pivotal moment where the speaker took a self-portrait, which was later featured on the cover of National Geographic.
• 😀 The avalanche incident propelled the speaker into a broader narrative about human experience, triumph, and the raw emotions that accompany danger and survival.
• 😀 The speaker is driven by an ongoing desire to push beyond their current limits, refusing to rest and always seeking new unknowns, regardless of the physical or emotional cost.
• 😀 The speaker has traveled to all seven continents, capturing extraordinary moments like polar bears on the last ice shelf and faces reflecting deep histories.
• 😀 Intimacy is key to great photography. The speaker believes humor and connection with the subject are essential to create lasting relationships and powerful imagery.
• 😀 Despite the serious challenges humanity faces, the speaker emphasizes that life is still about connection, love, and joy, and that fun remains a core part of the human experience.
• 😀 The speaker’s journey with photography started as a way to communicate personal experiences and has evolved into a means of sharing the collective human experience.

Q & A

What was the speaker's educational background and how did they learn?

The speaker dropped out of high school at the age of 14 and was homeless for a period. Their education came from observing the world around them, learning from the richness of life's struggles.

How did photography become significant for the speaker?

Photography became the speaker's voice and way of expressing themselves in a confusing world. It allowed them to translate the experiences and struggles they observed into something tangible.

What does the speaker consider to be the essence of adventure?

For the speaker, adventure is anything that pushes someone outside of their comfort zone. It’s about exploring the unknown and challenging oneself, as seen in their mountaineering expeditions.

Can you describe the speaker’s experience during their climb in Pakistan in 2010-2011?

The speaker, along with two others, climbed Gasherbrum II, an 8,000-meter peak in the Karakoram Himalayas. On the descent, they were caught in an avalanche that nearly killed them. This life-threatening event profoundly impacted the speaker.

How did the avalanche experience affect the speaker’s photography?

After surviving the avalanche, the speaker took a photo of themselves, which was later published on the cover of National Geographic. This moment marked a significant shift in their life and their approach to photography, as they realized the power of storytelling through images.

What does the speaker aim to convey through their photography?

The speaker’s photography communicates the raw, visceral human experience—highlighting pain, triumph, and the essence of what it means to be human. They want their photos to make others feel, to share a deeper connection.

How does the speaker describe their work ethic and drive?

The speaker describes themselves as constantly driven by an internal engine that pushes them to explore the unknown. Despite physical discomfort or extreme conditions, their primary focus is on capturing images that can evoke strong emotions in others.

What are some of the most notable places and subjects the speaker has encountered?

The speaker has traveled to all seven continents, witnessing breathtaking scenes such as sunrises over the highest mountains, polar bears on the last piece of ice in the Arctic, and deeply expressive human faces that encapsulate years of history.

What role does intimacy play in the speaker's approach to photography?

Intimacy is crucial for the speaker in connecting with subjects. They believe that making someone laugh or sharing a light moment creates a bond that transforms the relationship into a friendship, allowing for more genuine and meaningful photographs.

How does the speaker view the relationship between the seriousness of global issues and the joy of life?

While the speaker acknowledges the serious problems facing humanity, they emphasize that life is still about experiencing joy, connection, and love. Photography, for them, captures both the challenges and the moments of fun and human connection that exist even amidst adversity.

What has the speaker's journey through photography evolved into over time?

What started as a personal way to communicate the speaker’s own experiences has grown into a broader means of communicating shared human experiences. Their work now reflects not just their own story but the collective story of humanity.