Foreign Policy Magazine To Run Photo Essays

Foreign Policy magazine has created a new outlet for documentary photojournalists with the launch of a regular feature called "Wide Angle."

The Washington, D.C.-based bimonthly will devote four to six pages in each issue to a photo story of global significance, beginning with its 35th anniversary issue that hit newsstands in late August.

"I fundamentally believe that there are some stories that are best told through images," says Foreign Policy managing editor William Dobson.

The first photo essay is a series called "A Trail of Diamonds" by photographer Kadir van Lohuizen, who followed the path of the diamond trade around the world. He visited mines in Africa, traders in Europe, gem processors in India, and retailers in Europe and North America. The photos were published with captions, but minimal text beyond that.

Dobson says van Lohuizen's photo essay exemplifies the sort of global story that Foreign Policy looks for, showing the interconnectedness of the world.

"It's very rare to find a project that spans so many places and so many different countries," Dobson says.

Foreign Policy declined to disclose what it pays for photographs, saying it varies depending on the project. Because of space limitations, the magazine is being selective about which photo essays it chooses, Dobson notes.

Photographers can send photos for consideration to Foreign Policy art director Travis Daub, care of Foreign Policy, 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036