A picture is, as they say, worth more than a thousand words and, in the case of Dr. Losack’s latest collection, they are a journey unto themselves. Author of the recently published photo essay, “The Bonds We Share,” Dr. Glenn Losack is excited to show the world the things learned along a journey across the globe. Exploring universal commonalities and “eternal” themes of an interconnected humanity and shared destiny, Dr. Losack’s essay is an exploration of what it means to weather the human condition in the modern era.
Featuring pictures from India, the Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Morocco, Peru, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, the United States, Eastern Europe, and other locations dotted across Earth, “The Bonds We Share” is both timely and timeless in its approach to crystallizing shared commonalities across borders. It is both a work in testament and visionary in its treatment of disparate subjects. A common thread running throughout that is hard to ignore is the demonstration of how much we are all alike.
We all strive, work, hope, and dream, no matter where we are born or live. This common fire, the human spirit, shines through in Dr. Losack’s essay. Spurred on by friends, acquaintances, and admirers of his work, Dr. Losack compiled a lifetime of experience into “The Bonds We Share” in the hope of distilling the overwhelming sense of hope and connection that it brings.
Taking over two years to curate and assemble, Dr. Losack notes that the work itself represents a lifetime of experience and all that entails. Detailing the conditions in India and how that nation is such a vast realm when it comes to the spiritual, historical, and cultural, Dr. Losack shares how often the lines between his professional and personal life have blended to inform the photographs in the collection.
Calling “The Bonds We Share” one of his greatest accomplishments, Dr. Losack shares just what it takes to achieve this result and it can be as simple as the power of self-belief. Never accepting “no” for an answer and pushing on beyond the naysayers to break through to new horizons and witness new vistas is always the best response.
Dr. Losack, you recently released an all-new book titled, The Bonds We Share. Please start by telling us about your new book.
“The Bonds We Share” is a photo-essay of Dr. Losack’s travels around the world for the past 43 years. It is a brilliant and beautiful coffee table book.
The 240 captivating photos in The Bonds We Share, taken in India, the Dominican Republic, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Morocco, Peru, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, the United States, Eastern Europe, and elsewhere, serve as a remarkable retrospective of Dr. Losack’s work and reveal an essential truth: we may come from very different cultures, far-ranging geographic corners, belief systems, and economic circumstances, but we all share the same desire to work hard, raise families, and lead fulfilling lives. In this spectacular volume, Dr. Losack interrogates timely notions of difference and portrays the commonality of people from different cultures around the globe.
What was your inspiration for creating “The Bonds We Share”?
For the past 43 years, shooting mostly in developing nations, I was inspired by the thousands of people I have met and photographed. Their cultures, predicaments, struggles, smiles, and above all the photogenic situations I was in all inspire me to create imagery I would never get in the Western world. The repeating theme i.e. the bonds humans share are so much stronger than the borders that divide us also inspired me to create the book. I might add that I do have a huge fan base and the idea of having a book has quite often been recommended by followers and others through the years who know my work.
What was the creative process like for the book and how long did it take you to complete it?
Apollo publishers were very interested in my work as well as the theme about the ‘commonality of humanity’ they decided to curate and publish my images in a wonderful coffee table book. It took about 2 years to complete it.
Can you tell us about some of the most interesting experiences you had when taking photographs for The Bonds We Share?
I truly have decades of worldwide experiences especially in India and the Dominican Republic (where I went to medical school). India is truly another world. I have made dozens of journeys throughout the nation. Its vast cultures, fascinating welcoming photogenic people offers so much imagery I could never get elsewhere in the world. From magnificent historical places to beggars on the streets, every day in India is a delight for a street photographer like myself. I am a strong advocate for the very poor, those who have no advocacy, those who live day by day begging to survive. I am a very strong supporter of those in the fight against Leprosy.
I have visited many Leprosy colonies in many nations and via photography and my own donations I try to help the cause so that many people can become enlightened and educated about this serious illness still rampant in South Asia.
The impoverished, the infirm, the lower caste, those who have no material possessions have such a spirit and strength through such arduous situations I am honored to have been in the position to photograph so that my wide audience can become educated enlightened and entertained all at the same time.
One of my most exhilarating photo work takes place during Islamic Jum’uah (Friday afternoon prayer). Muslim men in the thousands congregate and pray for example @ the Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, while hundreds of beggars flood the arena pleading for alms, one of the 5 edicts of Islam, i.e. charity for the poor. It is a scene straight out of the bible and I have shot at least 100 Jum’uah in my travels.
What is your favorite photograph in the book and how does it make you feel?
They are all favorites. Every photograph has a memorable story behind it. I am very proud of all my work and the message my imagery sends to my audience.
You have previously said that “The Bonds We Share” is one of the greatest accomplishments of your life. Can you explain this to us?
The book, no doubt, has allowed me to showcase my work (though only a very small portion of it) to a wider audience both on line and in the wider public arena. Needless to say, it is very difficult to publish a photography book now a days so I consider myself quite lucky. I have also been lucky to have incorporated world travel and photography to over 50 nations at the same time practicing medicine. The book’s main theme mentioned before can reach more people with such a book on the market. Getting a photography book published by a wonderful genuine publishing firm is in itself quite an accomplishment.
Dr. Losack, how did you get into photojournalism and medicine? How do you balance the two?
Photography- I was in Strand books, the famous bookstore in Manhattan, I was 15 years old. I saw Cartier-Bresson’s black and white photograph, “Srinagar, Kashmir” a group of Muslim women praying on Hari Parbat, a holy site overlooking the Indian city of Srinagar, while the sun rises behind the Himalayas. I fell in love with it, I knew I wanted a camera and I needed to go to India. I have also marveled at the war photographers like James Nachtwey, and Sir Donald McCullin. These photojournalists were and still are a great inspiration for me. Images that tell a story, that make you feel pain, sorrow, empathy are what I aim to accomplish in my work. Early on in photography, I started in the darkroom inhaling chemicals until 1996 when I happily entered the digital era. One of the most amazing innovations in photography IMHO.
My focus on the poor, the needy, Leprosy, those who have no advocacy is the primary focus of my work and why I travel across the world for the past 43 years with my NIKONS hoping to show Western nations what life is like for billions of people on the planet.
Medicine- I remember reading the book “INTERN”, by Dr X At 14 or 15 I was mesmerized by medicine. I would go to the public library on weekends and tried to take the exams that residents have to take to get their license. I liked the prestige, the idea of helping other humans with my knowledge, that and the economic rewards were part of my choice to study Medicine. I like challenges! I loved the study of medicine. The actual practice though is so different than what is in the textbooks.
In 1994 after an 8 month journey around the world, I discovered that Medicine full time was not my cup of tea. I traded my beepers for NIKONS and the world was my oyster. I knew I wanted to pursue my photography and compose music (my work is online) in addition to practicing medicine. Locum tenens (physicians work per diem, weekly, monthly) was the answer! I began working for an agency that needed psychiatrists. I could work when I wanted to where I wanted and for months, I could also travel the world. Since 1995 I have been an LT, at times working half the year and traveling the rest of the year. Nowadays and during the pandemic, Via Tele-medicine I practice psychiatry in a rural clinic in Pennsylvania. There is a huge shortage of psychiatrists in rural America. So the demand is great! People that couldn’t get help can now get psychiatric treatment with the use of technology.
There are a lot of entrepreneurs today who want to combine their passions, much like you have done. What is your advice to these people?
Hard work. Passion. Never listening to the word “NO”, never letting anyone tell you it can’t be done. Spending a lot of time learning, studying, researching, sacrificing, and gaining experience. Taking the easy way out is not going to work.
Ambition and dedication are essential. I believe you have to love what you’re doing or you are not going to give it your all.
Can you tell us about any future projects you have in mind? Are there plans to continue traveling?
On my birthday in May, I went to Philadelphia to photograph the horrendous drug situation. It was the hardest photographic assignment in my life. From a moving Uber shooting from the back seat, I was able to get some material. But my subjects gave me a very hard time doing so. I did my best. As long as I can walk breathe and hold my camera I plan to travel and photograph till I die. I hope to head to the Dominican Republic (where I studied medicine for 4 years) in the fall to shoot the Haitian bateyes. One of the poorest parts of the western hemisphere. December I head for INDIA and Bangladesh (crossing my fingers). The thrill of doing these things I believe keeps the blood flowing in my veins.
”YOKO” is one of my most famous images, gifted to Yoko Ono, the wife of Beatle John Lennon.
She has it saved in her private collection. Shooting at the right time and the right place the photograph was taken in PRAGUE with a very large John Lennon mural of his face. But over the years, the wall has been painted over and decorated again and again and now it does not contain the original artwork. Indeed a serendipitous moment!
©2023 all rights reserved Glenn M. Losack MD
As a photo journalist and traveler, how difficult was it to stay at home during the pandemic?
It was one of the worst times in my life and I’m sure millions share that feeling.
I did shoot in Manhattan where I live but fear of the unknown made even that difficult.
I missed India so much it’s impossible to put it into words. It’s like being rejected by the one you love, right?
Dr. Losack, how is a day in your life?
I live, breath & eat Photography and Music composition. I review, fix and post images to FLICKR and many other sites picking from the tens of thousands of images I have taken. It can take hours to perfect an image before I post it. It can take weeks to write a finished song. I have a professional music studio in my apartment in Manhattan.
I practice Medicine 10 hours a week. I study interesting topics on Youtube. I make sure to walk as much as I can and of course my NIKONS are always with me.
Shooting Manhattan is not as interesting as shooting in KOLKATA but it can at times be serendipitous. I keep up with my Spanish to maintain fluency. I’m a huge fan of the NY Yankees, Guinness beer, corresponding with friends and colleagues all over the world thanks to the internet.
There is never enough time in the day to do what I enjoy doing.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
My brother. sister and I were all born on the same day but different years. We made the front page of major Newspapers in the 50’s. The likelihood of this happening is quite low.
Choose two of your favorite quotes and write them here.
“Poverty is the worst form of violence.” — Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political and spiritual leader
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” Mother Teresa
If you had the power to change just one thing in the world, what would it be?
Free education for all. No wars. Equality for all races, genders, sexualities, and social statuses. Food and water for all.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you so very much for this opportunity. I am forever grateful for the attention paid to the book. God bless and stay safe.
To learn more about Dr. Glenn Losack and his work please visit:
https://linktr.ee/GlennLosack
https://www.flickr.com/photos/glosackmd/
https://www.facebook.com/glennlosack/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
https://www.instagram.com/glennlosack/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenn-losack-md-4248b467/recent-activity/all/
https://glosackmd.tumblr.com/
