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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.

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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.

Afghan troops conduct their first major operation with resounding success.

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.

Afghan troops conduct their first major operation with resounding success.

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.

Afghan faces B-A-P0008

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.

1400 Afghan soldiers pass off after completing their training. 1400 Afghan soldiers pass off after completing their training.

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! 😉

Afghan troops conduct their first major operation with resounding success. Afghan faces B-A-P0002

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.

Afghan troops conduct their first major operation with resounding success.

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.

Afghan troops conduct their first major operation with resounding success. Afghan faces B-A-P0007 1400 Afghan soldiers pass off after completing their training. 1400 Afghan soldiers pass off after completing their training. Afghan faces B-A-P0001

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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.

Award winning, does it really make a difference?

October 12, 2012
Military work
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I write this blog in somewhat of a state of shock.  I have just been told that I need to get myself over to London next week to pick up a couple of prizes from the Army photographic awards. This image was taken at 0500 using available red light on a high ISO and shows us packed like sardines into the back of a Chinook about to go on an operation.

This year was only the second time I have entered in ten years for one thing or another, and after being runner up last time, the improvement was great. This macro shot was taken with a macro lens and was supposed to be an observation of religious prominence within the military and more so with the Americans.  What is does not show however is the levels of religious diversity that we have now. 

If I am totally honest, I didn’t really hold out much hope as much of the last 12 months was doing video, and if I am even more honest, not to a great standard. Military equipment – this was one of my favorite portraits from Afghanistan, it shows an attitude and toughness that belies the old equipment they operate with.

So back to the competition.  I am obviously very pleased for the recognition, but I really don’t think it means all that much at the end of the day but what we can do to raise the profile of our small group of individuals who work hard to show our colleagues at their best.  This is not down to me being disrespectful to the other entrants in this particular competition, just the fact that winning competitions may be a skill but also requires a lot of luck.  After all three judges look at the images subjectively and pick their favorite and on another day with different judges, the results would, I am sure, probably be very different. This military portrait taken in the studio is intended to show a diversity within the whole port folio.  It is a standard portrait with a little twist.

I had no idea who was judging this competition, not that knowing that would have made any difference.  The simple fact is that photography is purely subjective and what one person loves another simply can’t stand… the Marmite thing I suppose. In the absence of a perfect boxing or skiiing shot (not much of either in Afghanistan), I wanted to demonstrate a little bit of the British soldiers sense of humour… unfortunately there was no lake in sight.

So what did I win?  Well rather surprisingly, the Professional port folio award and the best Professional image.  Wow, now I am speechless. From the harshness of Afghanistan to the grandeur of Hannover town hall for the Queens birthday celebrations, a city that has close ties to the royal family.

The port folio was a simple case of choosing eight images, each one fulfilling a single criteria.  Operational image, Sport, Macro, Black and white, portrait, military equipment, Interior and Public relations image.  So the portfolio was always going to be a mismatch off images rather than a coherent collection of images to support a narrative.

Which ever way you look at it, there will be controversy and disagreement, as everyone will see different things from the images submitted.  So there we have it for another year, I only hope that we as a photographic trade can make the most of this and promote ourselves as the self motivated, professional individuals we are.

The image selected by the judges as the winning image, taken just before the officer at the front of the picture screamed at me for not being where I should be.

 

Still playing catch up

October 4, 2012
Military work
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One of the best parts of this job is the diversity of the tasks that come in.  One of the more interesting that has come in recently is the funeral and re-internment of a soldier from Operation Market Garden from World War 2.

Not one for being known as a historian, but basically Operation Market Garden was the momentous assault by the allies of Arnhem in the Netherlands and more specifically the bridge in Arnhem.

The operation was known for a number of reasons, mostly for its audacity and the scale as an airborne operation made famous by the old film ‘a bridge too far’.

 

Not all the soldiers involved were Para’s or airborne and due to the intensity and ferocity of the fighting many soldiers lost their lives, many being buried in field graves and marked accordingly with the intention of burying properly after the battle.

As part of the battle though, the German military burst dykes and flooded part of the land as a defensive measure which also washed away many of the grave markers meaning so many soldiers were never found.

 

Occasionally remains of soldiers are found and the difficult task of identification ensues.  With no DNA records on file, the investigations are usually based on artifacts found on the bodies and dental records which do take an inordinate amount of time.

 

Private Curtis was only 19 when he fought and lost his life in battle with his unit  the 5th Battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment.  His body was discovered almost ten years ago and then the difficulty began to try to identify him.

 

 

The family were there to see him buried with full military honours and the poignant thing was that a relative of Pte Curtis, Rifleman Edwards is now serving with 5 Rifles who are the current guise of the old regiment.

It’s a ‘Riskey Business’

August 12, 2012
Development, Music
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As many of you are already aware, I really enjoy my job, to the point of feeling guilt at times.  How can I enjoy a job so much?  I think one of the primary reasons for this is the fact that no two days are the same.  This is such a challenging vocation at times, and sometimes so simple.  I enjoy photographing people, in the studio, on location, it’s just so much fun (although there are times when there is little fun to be had).

One of the things I particularly like is the opportunities there are to ‘try something new’.  Too many people see the skill of photography as a dying art, or simply a matter of a numbers game to capture the one required image.

Photography is a form of art, it can be creative but there is creation in every single image.  The camera operator has decisions to make every time the shutter release is pressed, composition, timing, exposure, aperture and shutter speed.  Then there is lighting, another discipline that is undervalued by viewers everywhere as the best lit shots out there generally look like they are naturally lit, so with very little skill.

The fact of the matter is that every time a photographer captures a moment, there are so many things to consider, that people just don’t see.

As a photographer and an aspiring photographer too, it is dangerous to get comfortable, you always look for the next image, the next project, so being asked to photograph a local hobby band for publicity shots was a challenge to look forward too.  At this point I feel I need to add that these musicians are brilliant and the term ‘Hobby’ is meant to show their motivations, they play for the love not the finance (although they are available for hire).

Due to the nature of most of their day jobs, the band line up does change constantly as members move on and new ones replace, but this adds to the difficulty of getting the photograph.

I shot the band the first time in 2011, not too long before I went to Afghanistan, a short time out of the bands religious rehearsals.  With a camera, a few flash guns against a brick wall, I managed to make a simple image, but after I felt it did not do the band justice as by their nature, their line up changes almost monthly.

Then back from Afghanistan, a new line up, with even more changes on the horizon, I wanted to do something that I felt suited their make up.

Individual portraits, all with the same identical lighting that have that connection, the images could then be brought together to make a band photo.

I did however make an image of the band all together too, call it the banker shot if you like…………..

More Royalty and the Rifles march on

July 17, 2012
Military work
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Wow, where have the last two weeks gone?  Work has been crazy, a new promotion and a busy diary have contributed to my head spinning.

Having spent a vast amount of time in Afghanistan recently, it is natural to take some time to get back into the real world.  Life in Afghanistan in many ways is simple, you get up do your job, eat and sleep, there is not too much more to do.  Life back home seems so much more complicated as a result.

Getting the kids to school, sorting out the kids passport, chasing bills and paying invoices, meeting clients, and even at times taking the odd photograph, it all seems like there is so much to do.

So the tasking came in to photograph a home coming parade for some local press journalists from the UK came up.  This is after all our job so this is not a problem and it also gets me out of the office doing what I enjoy so its a winner all round.

I have never photographed a Rifles parade before so I was there early to get a good look around and make sure everyone knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go.  In the middle of a parade it can be quite daunting to wander onto parade and shoot away.

 

It is mostly a simple case of letting certain people know what your intentions are and they will be fine.  They also know that they will be getting copies of the shots for their own use too so everyone’s  a winner.

 

The weather in Germany has been as bad as the UK recently so that will tend to be an issue but you can’t plan for every eventuality although in this case we worked out being quite lucky.

All in all it was a good day and we got some good coverage in the press back home.

Where do I go from here?

May 1, 2012
Afghanistan
2 Comments

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…….

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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!

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

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

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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.

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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
2 Comments

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
9 Comments

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
8 Comments

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
5 Comments

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.

Cari-CAT-ure and the Cat.

January 13, 2012
Portraits
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Playing with a ring flash, the opportunity arose to take some wide angle portraits which is not something I usually do.  By going extreme, the portraits became a caricature especially with this motley crew.

Also took the opportunity to photograph the cat, only because it is too fat to run away.

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.

An Afghan elder and the pace of life

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.

These soldiers are going to be a big part of this countries future and every journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

Good luck.

Snapshots of the soldier

December 12, 2011
Afghanistan
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This post is really just a selection of images from a recent trip out which will hopefully give you an idea of what a soldier is.  They are random images that I hope will show we are human and they do have a sense of humor.

Soldiers will have a laugh whenever they can and will make light of anything even the bad.  On a recent trip one of the officers was shot in the leg during an operation and all the guys could talk about was how he had only been out here a few days and was already on his way home again, ‘lucky bastard!’

Of course this was what we term banter and like most things said out here is not to be taken seriously.  It is designed to lighten the load and of course everyone was glad he was not more seriously injured.

Mascots, the soldier will name their vehicle, stick mascots on it or personalise anything including their bed spaces.

Even when it gets cold, and boy does it get cold,

there are ways and means to feel the heat.

In confined spaces anywhere you can dry your kit, you use.

We love getting our mail and when it comes in so infrequently it can mean lots arriving at once.

There is always an opportunity to get into the party spirit, and sometimes you get the impression that fancy dress is code for hardly any dress at all.

Soldiers like getting tattoo’s and many of them have meaning, many of us have been here before and will come again.

Food HAS to be so hot you no longer taste it!

It does seem that out here most soldiers smoke.

It is difficult to keep your hair short or do Jedward have a lot to answer for?

Mustaches and Christmas hats should be worn at any and every opportunity.

Preparations to go out on an operation are a ritual, everyone has their own.  Nothing is ever taken for granted.

Although there is always time for a smile no matter how tense.

It is better to be ready early and then wait than wait til the last minute, it pays to be organised.

We are just regular people, just like anyone else but we adapt to circumstance and adversity, we just find a way to deal with things we would have no cause for otherwise.

If only!

Local Bobbies and a case of the fowl ending.

December 5, 2011
Afghanistan
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One of our recent excursions was to visit a newly established Afghan National Police (ANP) Patrol base.  The ANP are part of the relatively newly formed Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and are really another armed facet designed to assist in the regional control for the elected national government.  In reality they are nothing like the Bobby on our streets back home, but then this country is culturally and historically much different to our own.

A patrol base is exactly as it sounds, a compound that the ANP will base themselves from as they patrol the local area and attempt to provide comfort and security to the locals and assist in the forcing out of the remaining Taliban and criminal elements who manipulate the lawlessness to their advantage.  It is a slow progress that will take time but it is slowly working.

Any force that speaks the local language and understands the cultural sensitivities will inevitably be more successful than any force that requires translators.

These members of the Police have closer links to the Army than our own police and are armed ready to protect themselves when necessary.  Lets not beat around the bush, these are battle hardened men, who are under no illusions as to the day to day threats they face.  They live rough (by our standards), and carry little kit and equipment beyond the essentials.

These guys are committed to the task and have a camaraderie evident in abundance.  They have seen and endured things that perhaps no-one their age should really have had to experience.  They don’t see that I suspect, life out here is tough and you just have to get on with it.

They fend for themselves by killing and cooking their dinner which tonight means that the bird gets it.

They are a presence for the government, and a presentation that the people are not being forgotten.  They are an authority which will have greater credibility than any insurgent or criminal organisation, certainly in time.

They are a part of the future of Afghanistan, although the chicken’s hours are numbered.

The Green zone in Helmand is a stunning region, that is unique within Afganistan.  Called the ‘bread basket’ of the country because of its fertile soils and density of farming lands, it is an amazing place to visit and walk through, although the potential risk of doing so should not be played down.  Many of the locals appear friendly and smiles are plenty but as you patrol you are acutely aware of the threat as you scan the surroundings.

The Michael Jackson effect and the journey to security

December 3, 2011
Afghanistan
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There can be little doubt that Afghanistan is a developing country.  Forty years ago it was considered an extremely forward thinking Muslim nation and quite liberal with it.  Not that you would believe that if you saw it today.  Prolonged conflict will do that to a country.

Are things changing?  Well things are always changing, so that is a given, the question is though, is it changing for the better?  The only people that can answer that are the Afghans themselves, so I won’t start.  However they are certainly taking charge in their own security.  If you measure ‘better’ by improving civil rights and education, then yes it is improving but it is still a dangerous place to grow up.

Having had the opportunity to observe a pass off parade in Helmand where 1400 newly trained soldiers formed up, I was not surprised to recognise many aspects.  Being a serving soldier I still remember what I felt like on the day I passed off the square.  You have been thrust together with strangers into an environment that tests you, trains you and as best it can prepares you for what comes next.  Yes there is a lot to learn, yes it is physically hard at times, yes at times you wonder how much of it is really necessary, but on this day, it all pails to insignificance as the pride of your achievement takes control.

Being a soldier in the Afghanistan Army, is nothing like being a British soldier, the equipment is different, the circumstances are different, the opportunities are different, but effectively the job is the same.  They are charged with the responsibility to protect and defend a nation.  Their nation.

In the case of Afghanistan, this is no easy task, but it not been easy for forty years, and it won’t get any easier over night.  A fledgling Army has to get up to strength, meet the challenges ahead and gain popular support, which it is doing.  They are gradually beginning to take over areas from ISAF (International Security Assistance Force).  They may not be able to operate the same way as their ISAF counterparts, but as they can communicate with the local population in a way ISAF cannot, you could argue that they will have greater effect.  The local population will, after all, be the ones to decide where the nation is going.

Afghanistan is a large multicultural nation which has had a past with the Soviets, so it is unsurprising that elements of the Soviet drill are practiced.  The Soviet drill that was witnessed all over the world beamed from Red Square during the height of the ‘Cold War’, was nothing if not impressive and imposing.  Stamping feet, swinging arms, heads help high, this is definitely not a simple march and at times timing was lost, but in the scheme of things, an ability to march in step all the time is possibly not of primary importance.

As a soldier over here, we try to find humour in that around us and I had a chuckle to myself with the marching.  When it was good, it was impressive (as is the intent), but at times as I photographed it I found myself thinking that it looked like a rehearsal for a Michael Jackson music video.  The the influence of the self appointed ‘King of Pop’, has reached far indeed.

An Afghan parade holds very little similarities with a British one, this is not intended as a criticism as the Afghans are not British, nor I am sure, do they wish to be.  They follow their own cultural paths and do their best too.  There were times during the parade where the soldiers sang, and not just to their national anthem.  When they sing, they sing with passion, even if the National anthem is played over the PA system from a mobile phone.

My overall impression from witnessing this spectacle was they are a proud people that really love their country and they believe in themselves.  When they have all that what can stop them?

It will be a long journey but a journey that Afghanistan has to take for its own future and now there are an additional 1400 soldiers to help.