THE work of a man whose war photography has influenced a generation are currently on show at Manchester’s Imperial War Museum until June 13.

Hilary Roberts, head of collections management at the Imperial War Museum Photograph Archive, rates the work of Don McCullin very highly.

Featuring more than 200 images, the event has been organised to mark the 75th birthday of a man whose lens have captured conflicts in countries as far afield as Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Vietnam.

“The majority of the war photographed by Don McCullin were conflicts in which Britain and many other countries took no direct part.

"Nevertheless his photography made these wars relevant and important.

"It is fair to say that his photography informed and influenced a generation,” she says.

It’s the largest ever collection of the celebrated photographer’s work to go on display in the UK.

Does Hilary think when it comes to capturing the human cost of war, photographs can wield a power words simply can’t?

“Potentially, photographs wield a unique power to convey the human cost of war.

"However, that power has to be used with care, sensitivity and integrity,” she says.

A major new book published by Jonathan Cape: Don McCullin: Shaped by War accompanies the exhibition.

* Shaped by War : Photographs by Don McCullin is at the Imperial War Museum in Manchester from February 6 to June 13. Entry is free.