Leonard Freed

Leonard Freed (1929–2006) was an American photojournalist and a member of Magnum Photos whose empathetic work documented social and political life across the mid‑20th century. Born in Brooklyn, he studied graphic design at the Pratt Institute before freelancing for Newsweek and Look. In 1959 he joined Magnum, embarking on assignments that took him from Harlem to Saigon.

Freed’s most influential project, Black in White America (1968), combined stark portraiture and contextual scenes to confront segregation and civil‑rights struggles. He later turned his lens to global events—covering the 1968 Paris uprisings, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the aftermath of the Vietnam War—always privileging close human connection over spectacle. His books Diary of a Century (1999) and This Is War! (2000) showcased his commitment to embedding with his subjects, whether soldiers or protesters.

Throughout his career Freed balanced magazine commissions with personal projects, teaching workshops at the International Center of Photography and mentoring younger photojournalists. His images—held in collections from the Library of Congress to the International Center of Photography—continue to resonate for their clarity, compassion, and unwavering belief in photography’s power to bear witness.