Mono | The mastery of life, work and Photography

Heck, I am not sure, is the simple answer, I’ve not really thought about it all that much if I am being honest. Life is certainly different but not all that much different I suppose.

*_{Prince Charles visits junior recruits at Harrogate College HRH.}*

I am still in a position to stick to my own values and maintain a life balance that I had struggled a lot with in the old life.

_{Prince Charles braves the Yorkshire weather that disrespects umbrellas.}

I have been going through old photographs, I have not looked at for years and, sure they bring back memories, not all good but mostly, I would say. It’s natural to reflect though, you know, through those rose tinted glasses.

_{Prince Charles is introduced to recruits in the gymnasium. Nothing quite like traditional military presentations.}

As a photographer, I had some amazing experiences, some (not) so great experiences, but it was always interesting to witness things and try to remain neutral, which is not always possible. Doing this does help you in your approach to a job though.

_{A young recruit demonstrates his learned skills in navigation using a model.}

One thing I always tried to be with my photography was honest. Honest with myself, my observation and although true impartiality is challenging, if not impossible, I always wanted to tell a story without prejudice and I know I failed more often than I passed. I don’t berate myself too much because, I believe most photographers do. We are human, we are naturally affected by what we witness and that experience molds us.

*_{Army recruits in their boxing training gear meet the future King.}*

To be fair, most of my stories would not change the world, or change a perception, but that does not mean that my intention was, where possible to challenge. Some days I would be better than others, some days I outright failed, but most of us do.

*_{Prince Charles will most likely become the next King, we all hope, not for a long time but the reality is he is likely to, one day and recent events highlight this.}*

So, do I miss my old life? Not really. I had outgrown it some time ago, if I am being honest with myself. It was time to move on a few years ago, but that is all water under the bridge now. Change is constant and often happens at a snails pace so you don’t even recognise it. I try not to regret too much though, life is just too short. I always try to be a better version of myself today than I was yesterday. I don’t always manage that either, but I do try with honesty and I hope integrity.

*_{Prince Charles tries to talk with young recruits going through one of the most dramatic periods of change they will ever experience.}*

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.