How one photographer captures the raw humanity behind the world's most famous faces

Platon: Stories of photographing monumental people -- from Michelle Obama to Stephen Hawking · 19:53 · Video: TED · Watch at the source

In short: Photographer Platon shares his experiences capturing iconic figures, from Michelle Obama to Muhammad Ali. He explains his artistic approach, which aims to bypass public personas to reveal the genuine character of his subjects through the power of empathy and human connection.

Platon’s work focuses on stripping away the layers of assumption that surround prominent individuals. By creating a direct, intimate window into his subjects' personalities, he seeks to evoke wonder and curiosity in the viewer. His portfolio includes a diverse range of global figures, including Vladimir Putin, Pussy Riot, Stephen Hawking, Michelle Obama, and Muhammad Ali.

The core of his process relies on the disarming nature of empathy. Rather than focusing on the status of his subjects, Platon prioritizes the human connection formed during the session, allowing him to document the essence of the person rather than just their public image.

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