For those who know me, know I have struggled with video. Possibly due to my being a perfectionist. Ok maybe that is pushing it, but I thought I share some pieces I have done in the past.

The first is a short multi media piece that was used from Iraq too long ago now

The second was a piece that was used from Afghanistan on the introduction of some new equipment.

As much as I find video difficult, I see the value in it and quite often it is the future of media. It just has to be done so well, it is an art form and a very real skill, and should not be treated as anything less.

Return to Afghanistan and mono memories

November 21, 2013

Afghanistan

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I had a scary recollection today. I was speaking with a colleague today who I served with out in Afghanistan and we were both a little surprised to realise that it was two years since we arrived there for a six month tour of duty.

In the time I have been back, apart from the odd quick scan through the images, I have not really given them too much thought.

As we get closer to the end of combat operations I am regularly surprised by the lack of understanding of the job our soldier s are doing out there and in some cases, blatant conspiracy fantasies seem to be circulating. It seems to me that there are people who are happy and willing to exploit ignorance.

I have mixed feelings about my time in Afghanistan. I won’t pretend that I bounced around the green zone of Helmand with a bayonet between my teeth and two GPMG’s, one under each arm killing insurgents without fear. In fact quite the contrary, each and every time we went out on any patrol, I felt fear, the healthy kind, the kind that keeps you alert.

The people of Afghanistan are much like we are in many ways. They eat, sleep, laugh, cry. They have the same basic needs we do but have less to work with and because they do not experience our western ways are mostly happy with their existence. I won’t pretend they don’t want their security, they do as do we.

It always amazes me how we (human beings) struggle to understand different cultures though. Let’s face it there is a north – south divide in the UK and lets not get started on our nearest neighbours, the French! 😉

Anyway, looking back through the Afghan archive, memories came back and they are different from the experiences at the time, for there is no fear now, the memory of that has faded, now I focus on the experience. Much of the emotion has gone. The images bring back shadows and nothing much more. I suppose this is the same as the nerves I felt and I remember feeling on my wedding day, but now when I see the photos, they don’t remind me of that fear, just the day. Natural I suppose.

I enjoyed my time in Afghanistan, I saw things I never thought I would. It made me appreciate more what we have more. It did me some good.

Revisiting the past and the affirmation of your choices

June 13, 2013

Afghanistan, Military work, Portraits

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We make potentially life changing decisions on a regular basis, we react to our surroundings our experiences and try to make the best choices we can.

When I joined the British Army all that time ago, I joined as the Royal Military Police (there goes half my readers), I had an amazing introduction to Army life and the life has changed me so much in a positive way I no longer remember the shy timid person I was. Anyone still with me?

I am now a photographer with the Royal Logistic Corps (there goes the other half), and the job I do has an essential need for this confidence. I don’t think I am an overbearing person, well not until a couple too many sociables… er hello?

I look back on my RMP days with pride, I still have many friends in their ranks, although ever being replaced with young people who are obviously too young to even be in the Army. I have nothing but great memories even patrolling in the Arctic circle in -40. It is fair to say I even miss it from time to time. It’s all gone very quiet in here.

Do I have any regrets? Well the really honest answer is no, why would I. I can put my hand on my heart now and tell you I quite possibly have the best job in the Army, in fact if Heineken……..

As you can see from these images I covered a recent parade in Germany as part of the withdrawal from Germany. A sad day because after such a long time, ties with the local community are inevitable and once we depart they will need to much more work to try and keep them alive.

Now I do try to keep in contact with quite a few of my old mates, so this does mean I have on occasion socialised with RMP, although I am now talking to myself now. I accept I miss being with a bunch of guys that do a great job and yet receive little recognition (nor do they crave it). That said, I now have new skills that enable me to show them off a little now, although not often. I enjoy working with them and I hope I do them justice.

I guess all I am trying to say is this. Life is too short to have regrets, look back and smile, look forward and focus on whatever you see ahead. Oh and don’t live in fear of the unknown.

A fresh perspective.

June 10, 2013

Afghanistan, Portraits

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For those of you that have been following this blog for some time, you may remember that a little over a year ago, I returned from a tour of Afghanistan. An interesting time and an opportunity to capture some amazing pictures. Well they mean a lot to me.

On my return an artist saw one of the portraits I had made and asked if they could interpret it with pastels. This morning I got an email with the end result. I just wanted to share it as I think a lot of the character has been captured here. It is perhaps a little unfair to see both media side by side but I wanted to show that it is not a direct copy, there is definitely an artists interpretation which I think is so important.

Let me know what you think.

The Artist is my Dad and he only began doing this after he retired.

In the Land of the large

May 10, 2013

Afghanistan

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Here in the land of the large, coffee is king. Starbucks are quite literally on every corner.

Another homecoming parade, how many left?

May 3, 2013

Afghanistan, Military work

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This week saw me attending another Homecoming and medal parade here in Germany. I have lost track of how many of these I have covered over the years. They are always great opportunities to capture some great images although this time for some reason, it got me thinking.

With the imminent return home of British troops from Afghanistan in 2014, these may well be a thing of the past for a little while. Of course this is great news when you consider how many soldiers we have lost during the conflict, but I can’t help feel a tinge of sadness.

These parades are always great events supported by the soldiers and their families. They are a show, a celebration, in many cases an opportunity to reflect and for some a way of closure. But more than that these signify the end of a job well done.

The British Armed forces are there to do these jobs, love them or hate them, these roles seem to come up all too often, usually when you least expect them. These parades are significant as they mean the members of the Armed Forces have been doing a job they have trained hard for.

I do not mean to be disrespectful as the conflict in Afghanistan goes on and there will in all likelihood be more injured or even killed, so we cannot afford to look at the end with too much comfort.

One thing I am glad of is how this operation seems to have brought the Armed Forces closer together. In the past the fierce rivalry used to alienate certain cap badges or trades, but such is the nature of this conflict that every job out there has risk and danger, it is not just the infantry who are risking their lives on the front. I think this conflict has shown the strengths of our armed forces as a whole and that should be commended.

The opinions stated here are simply the opinions of the author and do not in any way necessarily reflect the stance of the Ministry of Defence.

Red rag to the Bull

January 6, 2013

Afghanistan

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It can be hard work at times working in a small english speaking enclave in foreign lands. My german is not all that great, I can order beer and bratwurst without too many problems but the thought of directing a german speaking model to slightly move their right hand a little to the left or twist as the wrist is quite frankly beyond me.

Working with models is a skill I have been sadly missing for a couple of years and skill fade has started to hit.

So when the opportunity came along to work on some things with an english student back home for the holidays, it was an opportunity I did not want to miss.

If nothing more it was a great opportunity to work on some different lighting techniques I have not used before as well as some new angles. This is the stuff that keeps a photographer happy. No real remit, a willing model lighting kit and time.

Sadly not too long as we had to fit the shoot around other paid shoots.

For a relatively quick test shoot we came away with a few shots that we both liked. The session was looking at head shots as an introduction. Head shots can be very difficult to get right and far from being perfect, they did at least inspire me.

I have to do more…

Putting a face to the name

January 3, 2013

Afghanistan, Portraits

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Well, here it is, the project for 2013 and beyond…

An idea that I have been mulling over for almost 12 months now, I can finally get the ball rolling.

“Putting a face to the name”

What is it?

Well quite simply it is an idea to remember those members of the British Forces that have been killed whilst on operations in Afghanistan. A non-political remembrance. This project is not meant to be a support for the conflict (as that is political), but simply support for our troops.

How many of us can name any of the 438 British forces that have died in Afghanistan?

Now try to name as many famous people that have died in the last 12 months?

This is the premise of this project, to find a personality that is well know to represent each and every member of the Armed forces that have been killed in Afghanistan by means of a portrait. Once complete (no mean feat), the resulting exhibition may well be coinciding with 11Nov as part of the national remembrance.

Did I say just how ambitious this project is? I am under no illusions here. This is going to take a massive amount of support and help. I have already begun recruiting.

I am not planning the end state yet as this will have to remain organic and hopefully pick up some high profile supporters to put some wind in the sails. That said if anyone thinks they can help or has any contacts of people who you think may be what we are looking for I am asking them to email me privately on LIMEfotographic@Hotmail.com

I have also created a new blog solely for the new project.

http://facetothename.org/

This is where most of the updates will be placed, so follow that blog if you want to keep in touch.

Well that is that, a project that I have been so excited about is finally on the move. I only hope that it turns out to be even a fraction of what I hope for.

The long journey has to start with the first step and sometimes this first step is the hardest…

Here is to the journey, I hope you can stay with me on it…

Building books and the tangible truth

October 22, 2012

Afghanistan, Military work, Opinion, Portraits

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If there is one aspect of digital photography and the internet that I don’t like it is simply the lack of necessity to print your images.

There is nothing quite like a decent print, and trust me it is never simply a case of hitting the print button. So in the last six months or so I have been responsible for producing 4 photographic books, and all I can say is wow. Although the books have been limited run or one offs, the sense of achievement you get after all the work of putting them together and handling it is second to none.

I now have the printed book bug.

A reflective image is so different from a back lit image, that seeing your images feels like seeing it again for the first time.

There are some amazing companies out there that can produce these books and some of the software you can use to complete the books are very straight forward. All I would say is don’t feel the need to over complicate the layout.

Photo books should ideally, in my humble opinion, be about an image at a time, although that is not always possible. There is certainly a skill in putting a book together and I feel myself getting better each time. There is a lot of work, in particular when you are trying to include other contributors.

Another important effort is to do your best to create a narrative, to make the images inter connect and flow from one to the other and at times, even if you have a cracking image that misses the narrative, do not shoehorn it into the book just out of hand. If you need to add another section to the book to fit it in, then try but be your own worst critic.

The end result is worth it though.

Never look across the valley to compare your grass

August 31, 2012

Afghanistan

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This is not a photography blog this time as I find myself in unfamiliar territory.

I find myself bedded down in one of the local hospital wards after suddenly and rather unexplainedly having had numerous pretty severe nose bleeds. Not something I have had in the past so at least I can chalk it up to a new experience, although not much of it pleasant.

Three late night ambulance rides the 15 miles to the hospital after in one case bleeding constantly for over 60 minutes, I can at least say that my kids are not too worried about blood after coming face to face to a scene from the Texas chainsaw massacre at least once each. Each visit to the hospital led to some basic first aid and my first (and second) experience of the cauterizing process. If I can just add at this point that this process is not one I would volunteer my nemesis, if I had one, to. Sure I am sure there are worse things in life to experience (I can clearly hear “childbirth” in the distance, no it must be my imagination). If only that was to be the end of they then…..

The final trip into the hospital was always going to be residential, the doctor had already said as much. So an early hours trip with a few belongings to make the trip again, this time with my bleeding head buried deep into a red (good choice) bath (even better choice) towel, at least the roads were clear.

Things were going to get worse, a whole lot worse at that too. Arriving I was prepared to stand my ground with the glorified soldering iron, this procedure was obviously not working so I saw no point in continuing down that path.

No need though, they had much more imaginative plans in line for the little old me.

PAUSE FOR BREATH

Has anyone else here ever thought to consider sticking a rubber finger up their nose? I mean ALL the way up their nose. No neither had I.

Ok so it was not a finger, I am not convinced it was rubber although it did seen to have a latex cover on it like a condom, oh and they certainly weren’t going to be using only one……. Try as I Might to explain that from childhood I had tried to shove a digit up my nose, up to this day I had never succeeded, why did the doctor think they were going to succeed putting three of these things up there? The look of puzzlement I got back was priceless, I was obviously making a joke. No, this is just a natural way of dealing with the problem.

“ok, now relax, keep your eyes open, it will be over soon enough”, REALLY?

Relax was just wishfully thinking, keeping my eyes open was not a choice I was able to make, and the over soon enough thing was simply a blatant lie.

So with these ‘tamponette’ things in place as they call them, I now have the good fortune to have them in place for at least two days, to give any damaged tissue the chance to repair.

The only slight problem was, that apart from the odd nose bleed (they were not all that bad now if I recall), these bloody things up my nose were acting like a compression inside my nose, so unable to breath through my nose now, I was not really prepared for what went next……..

Oh, I tell a lie, the doctor DID tell me that it would really hurt for the two (or more) days. It was like instantly getting the worst head cold you can imagine. Sinuses blocked, face feeling swollen to twice its real size, every part of my face hurt, properly hurt. I could not believe how much too.

Oh well it least it is only for two-ish days, I am sure I can cope with that.

Now there is only the matter of my room mate who with his snoring trying and succeeding to re-enact every gruesome death ever filmed on the silver screen. So as I leave you now, I am preparing my voice recorder, because these sound bites just don’t come around often or ever for that matter.

I will let you know how I get on……………..

July 18, 2012

Afghanistan

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Although this is the account from an American colleague, a colleague he is and his insight illustrates the similarities in the roles we both have undertaken. This blog post is well worth reading if you are interested.

Where do I go from here?

May 1, 2012

Afghanistan

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Now I am back from Afghanistan I am hungry to work.. I have for the first time got a notebook to record ideas and concepts for personal projects. I am amazed that this is something I have not done before because I get a lot of ideas that I then forget about. So I have a book that I can write down ideas and concepts and include inspirational images that may have given me an idea.

An Afghan commander on a proud day as hundreds of soldier complete their basic training

I am not too sure where my Afghanistan experiences will take me. Part of me feels that as an alien in that land I could not help but see images everywhere (sometimes I think we can get a bit blase about what we see around us every day). Certainly the characters were plentiful. My personal work at home is more geared towards the studio setting. I like having the control but I now see that am able to control more in location work. I am now the proud owner of a fairly comprehensive studio setup and I have new ideas coming out of my ears. I just want to shoot.

A young soldier commands a vantage point as he scopes the area for signs of insurgency.

I think there is a part of me that wants to keep busy in line with the tempo I have been working for so long. At the same time I am trying to fit back into my family that have got into their routine without me. I have leave, too much leave but I have to take it. This should give me the opportunity to work while keeping my feet grounded. As my wife will agree, I do have a habit of being too focused on some things while neglecting others, something I am now aware of and do try to overcome.

Getting to know my children again is a hard reality as I have missed a huge part of their lives.

So, where do I go from here? Photography has been a major part of my life for coming up to ten years and I just don’t see an end to that right now. I am however fortunate to get paid for doing something I enjoy so much and find so rewarding. I don’t have to find paying clients yet, however now is the best time to look at systems I can employ when I do. I am fortunate that I can make business mistakes with the comfort that, for the time being at least, won’t have a negative impact on my families welfare.

Still seeing opportunity, it’s what drew me to this career.

So as I approach my photographic future, I am excited to see where I can go and just need to be bold and make the most of my situation. I still look back at some of my Afghanistan portraits and think some of them will look good in a book as a printed record where they can be arranged as a representation of the tour.

A local Afghan watches over as his home is searched by British soldiers.

All in all there is plenty to keep me occupied for a little while but I need to make sure I push myself more creatively too. So keep an eye out as I am sure I will be posting the odd thing on here.

A mass of faces, the new generation of the security of Afghanistan

Catching up and cooling off

April 9, 2012

Afghanistan

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Settling back in at home after six months away should not be taken lightly. In my absence my family have learned to deal with my time away as have I. This is no less than human nature. There is a temptation to jump back in with both feet and just try to carry on where we all left off. I’ve done that before…….

I have also been keeping busy trying to sort my archive out. There are lots of images to get organised and some catching up with processing images that kind of fell by the wayside.

I took some images during my R+R (Rest and Recuperation) back in February. Although I did have a quick glance, I never properly had a look. So now back home with my own work station and newly installed Lightroom 4, I can kill two birds with one stone. It feels so great to have internet access that works.

These images taken during my time back home on a brief visit home (that is what it feels like), mid tour, were secondary to spending quality time. I take my camera where ever I can (within reason).

I had arranged a short intimate break for my wife and I to Berlin, a city I had only briefly visited once and did not make the most of it last time, we wanted to see the city, spend time together and catch up for lost time.

So I did not take a camera bag full of my lenses, rather one body and a lonely 50mm. A lens that I have got to know quite well.

R+R is a strange beast, you are back home, its fantastic to see your family, but its also clear that you will soon have to take that trip back to Afghanistan sooner than you think!

You never properly relax. It’s a rest, certainly, but you are not really home yet.

Anyway I wasn’t carting all my gear around focusing on the images, but I grabbed a few on the way!

These are a small selection. I hope you like them. They are a world away from the shots from Afghanistan. Now I am back, I am starting to put that chapter behind me, however life in the military is never really predictable, so you never know, I may end up going back out there again in the future, or somewhere else. I look back at my images and feel the strangest feeling of nostalgia, you never really expect to feel while you are out there. The people you have met, the things you have seen, experiences few may have. I am proud, my family are proud. Everyone is happy that I was fortunate to come home in one unharmed.

So to conclude, spare a thought for the ones who don’t, their families who have to pick up the pieces. all I can do now is look forward to what the future holds from now.

Thanks for visiting.

Those left behind

April 1, 2012

Afghanistan

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Back home with my family after being away for such a long time is a relief. I certainly cannot say I am not glad to be home but at the same time I am sad. You go through so much with people that start off as strangers, many will become strangers again so soon.

Those soldiers serving their country do get a lot of recognition for their sacrifice but that will never be enough. I have an understanding of the sacrifices that those left behind make. I am of course referring to the families, the husbands, wives and children.

When we are serving away, the soldier lives a basic existence much of the time, but the mentality is to just ‘crack on’. Something that works very well, although some find it easier than others.

My wife told me how she woke up in the middle of the night thinking she had heard the door bell. Sweating, feeling sick she went to the door scared about what it might be. She was petrified that she was getting the notification. As it turned out there was no-one there, but that does not matter as I have an understanding now just how tough it is on loved ones left behind. These fears are too real and a great many people do get those home visits.

I don’t know how they stay so strong, I suppose its necessity. I am sure some partners can go close too madness.

So next time you consider those servicemen serving, spare a thought also for their families who go through their own kind of personal hell.

Saving Private Ryan?

March 14, 2012

Afghanistan

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This Steven Spielberg film “Saving Private Ryan”, is widely regarded as one of the best ‘war’ films ever made. Visually stunning and emotionally gripping it is a modern take on an event that is now sadly beyond most of our memories. One of the most memorable scenes for me is the opening, the assault on beach. The mood felt tangible. Was this what it was like? The scared to death soldiers vomiting through fear as they head towards a heavily entrenched enemy. I imagine there were plenty of instances of this.

Of course you cannot draw too many similarities between WW2 and what is in comparison almost a skirmish in Afghanistan (not to belittle the threats on the ground of our our soldiers). That said, for our guys on the ground it is immaterial as we all live our own experiences which don’t really ever draw reference from other’s experiences.

I recently went out to photograph a ‘HAF’, a Helicopter Assault Force with the Brigade Recce Force. I am not what you would call a fighter, not battle hardened, I do, however, go out on patrol with many of the guys and consider myself to have been very ‘lucky’ so far. This was the first time on this operation (I have done similar things in Iraq) that I moved into what is perceived as a hostile area by helicopter, to be dropped off in the middle of a field to then watch our transport quickly vacate.

What were the feelings like? Although only a couple of weeks have past now, those feelings are fading fast. The night before was a night without much (or any) sleep. I won’t lie, I was, you could say, a ‘tad’ apprehensive to say the least. These are normal feelings that I have felt on quite a few occasions. Adrenalin is good for you and keeps you alert.

We met up at early o’clock for tea (the staple drink) and a ‘bacon butty’, which we forced down. The operation was planned to enter an area believed to be an insurgent held area by helicopter, together with elements of the Afghan National Army, clear suspected enemy compounds and then extract all in time for lunch.

There was an atmosphere over the butties, one I have experienced before and no doubt will again. It was one of focus, bravado, morale, humour. The old ‘squaddie’ humour, though unique is very welcome. The coaches laid on to get us all to the helicopter were a squeeze as we were laden like donkeys with all we would need for the operation. The nervous laughter as each soldier tries and almost fails to find passage through the narrow aisle.

Waiting in the dark for our charriots, three Chinook helicopters with their distinct audio signature, line up ready to load. We wait in our order to cram in. On the order to move we all get in and sit. There is no strapping in here. Just sit, wherever you can, lucky if you get a seat. As a photographer I push the camera towards its limits to get an image, any image.

As we fly, the lights inside the cab are extinguished, the noise stops vocal communication and briefings come in the form of simple hand signals. 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 3, 2, 1! We land in the early morning dull light, GO! Quickly the helicopter spews its cargo into the middle of a mud field. ‘Fan out’, I know the shot I need, so move as quickly as I can to get into position before the helicopter takes off again.

Its still pretty dark, so I have to think quickly about exposure. It keeps my mind occupied. I still want to give some sense to how dull it is.

All too soon our transport has gone and all that remains is silence exacerbated by our ear defence. Then we wait………………………..in another bloody ditch!

Before long we move from compound to compound, we meet locals, chat, drink chai (Afghan tea), move again, more chat, more chai. All the time alert.

Exploring a compound looking for vantage points over the neighbours and there is always an opportunity for a photograph. Some of these places are so dark it is a constant battle with exposures. Challenging but rewarding.

After meeting up with our Afghan colleagues it soon becomes apparent that by turning up in such numbers and prepared to fight a common enemy, the insurgents have employed their only real tactic in these situations and have melted into the community. There is obvious frustration in this but there have been finds of weapons and no lives lost.

Before long its time to make our way to the pick up point and all the soldiers involved in this operation gather in their groups in the middle of a field awaiting once again our chariots.

As quickly as the disembark, we are all back in the Chinook and soon back to our temporary home, as we say in the military, back in time for tea and medals. As I look back, I don’t really think I can say I enjoyed the operation but I certainly cannot say I hated it either. I am glad I went, saw these guys operate and I am certainly glad that this time at least we all came back.

These images were all taken during the operation, some under quite difficult lighting conditions. This is what I enjoy doing so much that I feel so fortunate to be able to. I know how lucky I am to have these opportunities even though they come with a huge sacrifice to my family, I know I have their support, which means so much to me. I hope you like the images.

It’s all about the people

March 11, 2012

Afghanistan

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Afghanistan is a country with a long and difficult history, like many other nations, including our own (the United Kingdom). Freedom comes at a cost and sacrifices unfortunately need to be made. On a basic level its just that people desire a simple life, they have few needs, but they crave a safe place to live to let their children grow up.

The Afghans are no different to us in this respect, but they are of course different culturally. Yes this is a Muslim country but yet the culture is very different to that of Iraq which is also Muslim. There is almost always a pride in any nation or culture and this place is no different. People are people wherever you go. They sleep, eat (although diets vary), socialise, crap, laugh, cry and dream Fundamentally they are the same as you or I.

Afghanistan will manage itself, it has to and it is naive to think that they don’t already, but their cultural make up is very different to ours. They manage themselves on a much more intimate level, where each village is an entity separate from other villages around them. Here in Helmand, the people don’t really care what is going on in Kabul, they have no desire to own a 50 inch plasma TV, almost all of them don’t even own a TV, few have radios or a car.

This is not a wealthy place in our terms yet is described as the bread basket of Afghanistan for its mineral rich soil. They will grow what they can sell here, poppy or wheat, what ever will help them feed their families. We would be no different I am sure. Should they really care what the west thinks they should grow? Existence here is tough, unbearably hot in the summer and freezing and wet in the winter.

This is a country of extremes. ISAF can not be here for ever, the government knows that, the people do too and the transition is moving on full speed towards a comprehensive security cover by its own forces. When the security forces are left to deal with any problems themselves which I am sure they will do, I have no doubt that they will manage. There will be hardships, but transition is a necessary step to grasp their own future. Only Afghanistan can ultimately choose its own path.

I wanted these images to show humanity, mood, character and highlight that upbringing notwithstanding we are the same. I don’t speak any Pashtun or Dari (the two main languages spoken here in Helmand), and as a photographer I like to communicate with people, to direct a little for light and composition (at times), this was quite hard initially and to be honest I found the Afghans play up to the camera a bit and pose with ridiculous expressions. I have over the weeks developed a basic sign language to try to direct them a tiny bit at least. A funny thing happened the other day when I was out photographing some local Afghans during an operation, I had been out a while and was tired and saw this young guy who I wanted to photograph, he was back lit (a look I really don’t mind), so I got the shot. After I showed him the image he gestured to me to take another, he pointed at the sun and changed his position relative to the sun. This was not something I thought I would have been able to get across in my basic sign language. I did prefer the second shot though!

What is bravery?

February 28, 2012

Afghanistan

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As I sit here getting ever closer to the end of my latest tour of duty, I contemplate the mind set of the British soldier. This may or may not be one of the most dangerous places on the planet, probably not but it is still dangerous. It makes me wonder exactly what bravery is.

Is it simply brave to just be here? Is it brave to step outside the wire? Is it brave to fly those flying chariots that are our primary mode of transport here? Is it brave to don all of your PPE (Personal protective equipment)? Is it brave to poke your head up over a wall in the middle of Helmand?

I am not sure. These are the day to day experiences of some of the soldiers out here in Afghanistan. Although you feel trepidation prior to any of the above, when you get there, you just go, do your business and the training takes over. You are so busy looking, thinking, observing, watching, you don’t really have the time to be worried. We don’t constantly worry about every step, or that it could be your last.

I certainly don’t feel brave when in the relative safety of Camp Bastion. I don’t feel ‘brave’ when I go out on patrol, I don’t feel ‘brave’ when I fly in the Merlin or Chinook and I certainly don’t feel brave wrapped up in my PPE (only bloody heavy).

So what is brave?

I had the good fortune this week to photograph a soldier who had been lucky. He had been shot by an insurgent, whilst on patrol in Helmand. Luckily for him he was saved by his body armour, the round embedding into his back plate.

Armed with what remains of the round, we were tasked to get some photographs of Trooper Dan Griffiths for the UK press, I asked him how he felt. He told me that he ‘worried’ now. During the incident he was knocked down with such force that he truly believed he was seriously injured. He admitted to screaming in pain, clambering for cover. Only when checked over by his comrade was he then aware he had escaped injury and just how lucky he was. Dan is now one of the few who knows what it feels like to be shot and I am sure it is not an experience he would like to repeat, yet he still has to endure, he still has patrols to go on, operations to take part in, be part of a team.

Simply put, in light of his experiences, in my eyes, Trooper Griffiths is brave.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/campaigns/our_boys/4156468/Squaddie-shot-in-the-back-but-battles-on.html

Failed Amphibious Assault

February 20, 2012

Afghanistan

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Any of you who know me on Facebook will no doubt have been made aware by my oh so generous colleagues that I was involved in a rather unfortunate incident.

Those of you who may have been out here before will know that when it rains, it can rain hard. Not that this happens too often, but when it does, this place (Bastion) can flood, and flood fast. After being here for several years there has been quite a bit of development with a decent (relatively speaking) road network and huge drainage ditches.

Sounds great, but the problem is that when the big rain comes, it can quickly fill the ditches, and when it does in places the road disappears.

So driving through Bastion at night, in the rain claimed another victim……….me!

Laden with kit, driving back to the office, one of the roads was swallowed by a flood. Initially it just looked like a patch but once in, it just seemed to get deeper. Probably only 3 inches deep, I slowed down, dropped gear to keep the revs up and tried to pick the route, but with no visible markers for the drainage ditches, once the minibus found the edge, it had me.

Evacuating the vehicle was interesting. Pretty soon we were all up to our groins in the water. And from there the good old military banter begins.

One thing I have learnt is that the ‘taking the piss’ is never not going to happen, so you have no choice but to laugh along.

So there we have it, I am a little red faced, I have added that little bit of morale to the team but the reality for me is that at least no-one was hurt and if this is the worst that happens to me on this tour, I will be happy.

Afghan elder in Natural light

January 9, 2012

Afghanistan, Portraits

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My main goal for this tour aside from my primary video role has been to put together a selection of portrait images, in the hope that I could arrange a small exhibition of portraits at a local art fayre. I will be adding another blog entry near the end of the tour displaying some of my own personal favourites. In the meantime I wanted to share this one.

Whilst working on some footage for an Afghan Air Force open day at Kandahar, I saw this elder, who had arrived early with some young children. He promptly sat in a hangar doorway waiting with his worry beads. He was just waiting patiently when I got this picture. Taken on the trusty old manual 50mm lens (some people are getting bored hearing about), I wanted to concentrate on his face. The lines are like a text, telling his life story and similar in many ways to so many other locals. There people have endured so much in their lifetime and their lives are tough by our standards.

Simply processed in Lightroom, it does not need much more.

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The Afghan National Army

December 30, 2011

Afghanistan

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Our latest mission has been to go out with the Afghan National Army (ANA), to film and photograph them, as the ‘defining moment of operation Herrick 15’ would be their first major operation planned and executed by themselves to clear an area of Helmand from the influences of the insurgents.

Being the video guy, my job was to film them from the orders through the patrol phase, to watch them as they took over compounds and created, from scratch, their Check points in an area that insurgents had been deeply embedded in.

Say what you will about the ANA, they may lack an element of our professionalism, skill or ability, but when you consider that they are poorly paid, receive only a fraction of the training we get, are nowhere near equipped (by our standards), they do a fantastic job and in light of all this they are beyond doubt very brave indeed.

During this operation, they moved with all they needed to sleep rough across difficult terrain in freezing temperatures, which was tough indeed. They don’t get issued the warm or wet kit that we all get issued, and yet they just continue to work. The Afghans seem to work without complaint, they know what they need to do and they have a resolve to do what they need to, in order to rid their country of the enemy.

The ANA is a fledgling army, already growing to the required numbers, they know they have a tough job and continue to do their best to get it done, and they are proud.

Regardless of any shortcomings, I tip my hat to the Afghan braves and only hope that they gain the popular support of their countrymen because they above all deserve it and with it can begin to make the giant step towards peace, the likes of which has not been seen in this part of the world for decades.