The renowned MYOP photography agency is commemorating its 20th anniversary in 2025 with the release of a comprehensive photo-manifesto book titled "My Eyes, Patient Objects" (Mes Yeux, Objets Patients), published by Hoëbeke Editions under Gallimard. The 512-page collection showcases the work of 20 photographers and features 500 carefully selected photographs that chronicle two decades of visual storytelling and documentary photography.
The anniversary publication brings together the diverse works of acclaimed photographers including Ed Alcock, Guillaume Binet, Julien Daniel, Agnès Dherbeys, Laurence Geai, Pierre Hybre, Olivier Jobard, Alain Keler, France Keyser, Oan Kim, Olivier Laban-Mattei, Stéphane Lagoutte, Jean Larive, Ulrich Lebeuf, Zen Lefort, Olivier Monge, Julien Pebrel, Chloé Sharrock, Michel Slomka, and Adrienne Surprenant. These photographers have collectively documented humanity's experiences and challenges over the past two decades through their distinctive visual perspectives.
In the book's introduction, writer Fannie Escoulen reflects on the significance of this milestone, asking profound questions about the collective journey: "MYOP turns twenty in 2025. How can we account for a collective adventure seen through the eyes of twenty photographers? How can we read the thousands of images accumulated in the opacity of time and keep only a fragment?" She emphasizes the challenge of distilling years of accumulated visual documentation into a single comprehensive volume.
Escoulen describes the book's mission as an attempt to "retrace the course of history—slow it down, make it visible—to better understand what humanity has experienced over the past twenty years." She notes that MYOP has "tirelessly taken the pulse of our era," with its photographers consistently delivering "powerful images, sometimes silent, imbued with poetry and with pain." The collection represents not just a retrospective but a testament to the enduring power of documentary photography in an increasingly digital age.
The writer particularly emphasizes MYOP's unwavering commitment to authentic photojournalism in today's challenging media landscape. "In a world where the production and circulation of images seem to slip from our grasp, MYOP stands firm," Escoulen writes. "Its weapon: photography—the kind that bears witness, that denounces, that assails us and awakens our consciences." This philosophy has guided the agency's work throughout its two-decade journey.
According to Escoulen, MYOP's strength lies in its collective approach and unwavering dedication to meaningful visual storytelling. "Through its freedom, its commitment, and an unfailing collective energy, MYOP stands at the threshold of our reality," she explains. "Their eyes guide us through the dark." This perspective underscores the agency's role as both documenter and interpreter of contemporary global events and human experiences.
The book, measuring 13.60 × 17.50 × 4.20 cm, is now available through Gallimard publishers with ISBN 2073120660. The publication serves not only as a celebration of MYOP's achievements but also as a powerful statement about the continuing relevance of documentary photography in capturing and preserving the complexities of modern life. More information about the book can be found on Gallimard's official website, while additional details about the agency's ongoing work are available at www.myop.fr.
