Sydney-born Dupont, who has spent years documenting nations riven by conflict and is a Canon Master, describes himself as an "anti-war" photographer.

"I believe as photographers out there covering news we have a huge responsibility in capturing the truth," he says. "That means to photograph what is happening no matter how confronting it might be."

Dupont's body of work - more than two decades of war, social strife and natural disasters - is the subject of an upcoming presentation at Sydney's Eternity Playhouse Theatre titled Don't Look Away.

"I want people to not look away from the images I am showing them, no matter how disturbing and confronting they might be," he says.

"By not looking away you're honouring the dead and the living, a kind of memory to the suffering of others. I want people to feel my photographs, if they don't feel them then I have failed as a photographer."

With a mixture of ad-libbing, video, still images and music, Don't Look Away is a new platform for Dupont to speak about his work.

"I've spent years doing talks and lectures, keynotes. I needed another kind of approach to my work, one that uses photographs, soundscapes, music and videos, but most importantly one that allows me the presence on stage to deliver really personal and revealing stories."

The presentation traces the arc of Dupont's career, from his early days as a self-described "young and adventurous inexperienced observer" to a "dedicated activist".

"This theatrical approach lets the audience really engage in my world, my photography ??? through my stories and pictures I say, 'look at this, don't you remember?' Or, 'look at this, can you believe this?' I jolt people's senses and their memories so these tragic events are not forgotten."

For Dupont, the real purpose of his work is to protest war, an instinct he admits is now "in my blood".

"I want people to really see how shocking and inhumane it is.

"That even though we can't seem to prevent wars, there is a sense of hope, a sense of humanity. If I can motivate people into action or at least a better understanding of the world we live in, than my message has been heard."

Don't Look Away, produced in partnership with Canon Australia, precedes Stephen Dupont's public performances at MCA during Vivid Sydney. The presentation at Eternity Theatre is a closed event.