Archive

Tag Archives: Nikon

Territorials are dead, long live the reservists

October 5, 2012
Military work
2 Comments

The Territorial Army or TA, have been around for longer than I can remember, and since I joined the British Army ‘Regulars’ they have taken the brunt of the jokes.

These part timers or weekend warriors have over the last decade had a resurgence fueled by an ever increasing involvement in Afghanistan.

The name ‘Territorial Army’ is no more, replaced by the simple ‘Reservists’, many of their numbers have now served more operational tours than some of their regular counterparts.  Probably a minority but this fact is one aspect that has transformed reputations.

There are still ways to go, but the momentum is there and with more and more ambitious training exercises going on, I feel the reputation will improve.

As the government places more and more emphasis onto the reservists, the future looks bright for these soldiers and their future looks assured.

Viable and sustainable?  Well really only time will tell, but with so much being laid on their shoulders, can they afford to fail?

 

Any opinions or points of view expressed in this blog are not the views of the British Army or the Ministry of Defence, but of myself and should not be viewed as official comment.

Should you wish to follow us, you can find is on http://www.Facebook.com/LIMEfotos

Still playing catch up

October 4, 2012
Military work
Leave a comment

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
2 Comments

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
1 Comment

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.

Have courage in your convictions

June 23, 2012
Opinion
Leave a comment

Most people in our society will at some point in their life need (no, not need but want) a photographer, be it for their wedding, to photograph their new baby, their portrait, their pet. Their business products, the list goes on and on.

What do people look for?

Do you search for a photographer who captures something different or has a certain look you like?  A cheap photographer?  A friend who has a camera? Or nothing at all?

Where does the cost of a photographer come into it?  Should it enter the equation at all?

The photography industry is incredibly competitive at the moment and the industry can be very easy for anyone to access with the super high quality of even some of the budget cameras.  I wonder if this is a positive development, but regardless, this is where our industry is right now.  The client has never had so much choice.

What does that choice mean?

I think this depends on what your view of a photograph is.  Do you see a photograph as just a still image that simply records and reminds you of a memory?  Is a photograph a piece of art?  Can a single image really be that important?  Take a while to think about some famous images you can remember. It may be a war photograph from Vietnam or a celebrity portrait, but the chances are it will be a stunning image for one reason of another.

A photograph is history.  Although it is taken at the time the image is immediately assigned historic status.  I shows us what was.

When you are looking for a photographer, what is your main consideration?  I think there are two main perspectives.  Will I love the images or can I afford them?

Take a wedding for example.  This is for many people the most monumental day in their lives (although not for all).  I think it is fair to say that most couples will look for a look they like from their wedding photographer.  There is usually a budget but their first consideration in many cases is the look.  I have been asked if I can replicate someone else’s look for a wedding before………Mmmmm!

Each and every photographer is different, of course there are styles and fashions that you can find over and over, but you have to look at the image, see what has been captured, is there emotion, a certain use of light, a character in there or is it simple a flat image processed to a style?

Photographers are observers, we look for things, we search for a representation.  Some are better than others, that’s just the way fo the world I am afraid.  As a photographer we should always be striving for the next image, that killer image that may not be the most asthetic but one that has that bit of magic.  Sometimes that is not obvious but invariably there will be something.

To look at a photographers images, look into them, try to identify what they were looking at.  You can do this for any photographer and ask the question, why?  I guarantee you at times you won’t be able to answer the question but you will still see something that you like.
My work may remind you of someone elses work but for sure that’s all it is.  Photographers are individuals, our work is unique, we all see things differently and if you hire us you are buying into that vision and experience.  All photographers draw inspiration from the world around us.

As a client you should never look at a photographers work and then wonder if you can get a cheaper alternative by going elsewhere.  Another photographer cannot just step into anothers head.  So if you need a photographer, look around, look for somthing that you like, an edge, a look, a style or a vision and hire them.

If budget is an issue then look for an alternative, but don’t expect the same, you are only setting yourself for disappointment.

Your choice of photographer may, in the end, cost a little more than you wanted to pay but in years to come, those photographs could have more value to you because you will know in yourself that you did not compromise.

Did I mention that I shoot weddings and portraits…………………………………………………………………………..?  😉

Time is my only enemy these days.

June 22, 2012
Development, Military work
Leave a comment

It now seems like such a long time since I was out in Afghanistan, in real terms it was.  Three months is such a long time.  We move on quickly, get back into the swing of things in our day to day jobs.  I am now (for those who have not been paying attention) back in Germany with my family.  Still working in the Army, yes we still have some of the Army based here (not for too much longer though).

This job does not seem like a job much really, it really is a shock to the system to enjoy my job as much as I do and in fact I have been known on many occasions to feel real guilt as I see people around me slumped and dejected as they struggle through the week to get to the weekend.

None of that for me, many weekends I am behind the camera enhancing my skills and keeping looking for a way of doing things I have not tried before.

One of the most exciting parts of this job is the variation.  This week has been a prime example, for three days I was chasing soldiers around a live range trying to capture images for their local press who had come out to visit.  Then there was the small matter of photographing a high brow event in Hannover city center to commemorate the Queen’s birthday and then today I spent the day photographing handicapped children as they climbed all over military helicopters.

 

All this work needs to be processed and dispatched to whoever wants it.  Not a five minute job.  So my long suffering wife has to watch me sitting at the laptop most of the evening.

Ah, a negative!  Perhaps the only one.  Sometimes there really is just never enough time in the day.  I need to get a new watch……………

One with a 27 hour day.

Mike & Sara Ambrose wedding in Bath

June 16, 2012
Wedding
2 Comments

I don’t get much opportunity to shoot weddings which is such a shame as I do really enjoy shooting them.  I deal with weddings in a similar way that I shoot my military work.  I like to get as much preparation time in that I can.  I don’t like shooting to a formula, but over time you get to know what shots work and which ones don’t.  As photographers we work to our strengths and one photographer is very different to another.

The wedding of Mike and Sara was given to me by a colleague as they already had a booking and to do the wedding I made the long journey from Germany, which meant that I didn’t get to meet the Bride and Groom until the day before the wedding, or go to see the venues.

I shot this wedding with a friend as my second shooter, Jim (Will) Williams, who I have worked with on a number of occasions and some of his images were simply stunning.

This wedding was a little different from any I have shot before as I was only required to shoot from the arrival at church to the start of the wedding breakfast.  In total about 4 hours which included a trip through the centre of Bath on the Jubilee weekend Saturday.  Everything went to plan and apart from the wedding car breaking down as well as the bus laid on for the guests.  The Bride and Groom were the definition of laid back which made this a pleasure.

The official images were handed over to my colleague to process so I have had the opportunity to be a little bit bolder with my own processing and I have done them in a way that is unusual for me, but then, why not?

Please feel free to look through the images and give me your feedback on them.

Herding cats and capturing character

May 13, 2012
Development, Portraits
Leave a comment

There is a popular phrase that we have all heard stating you should never work with children or animals, however as a photographer, you try that.  I recently came up with a promotion idea to get people into the studio, to see how we work and hopefully come away with plenty of workable images to wow the customers.

This became the ‘Pets win prizes’ competition.  The premise was for local people to bring their pets to our studio in order for us to try to capture some of their character.  The shoot was free and an image from their shoot was to be displayed on Facebook in a gallery for people to vote (like) their favorite.  The winner is the image that 7 days later has the most likes.  They then win a canvas wrap print of their pet (not necessarily the one used in the competition).

As with anything like this, the build up can be nervous as you find yourself asking the questions, like, did we promote this enough?  Will people turn up, have we explained the situation properly?  Has word got around?

I need not have worried because apart from a quiet hour at midday, the event was a success.  We got a variety of pets in from the expected cats and dogs to the more exotic Bearded Dragon and some tropical fish in a huge beer glass.

I like to put myself under pressure, and I limited each shoot to 15 minutes, which included the time to get to know the animal a little, try to find some of its character, decide on how to work with it and light it, and then execute (not the animal but the idea).  I could quite easily have set up a flat light setting and just gone for the safe option but I didn’t want a load of same images.  I wanted to be creative, to try to show off each animal as best I could in the time.

At the end of the day, I sit through the images and I have to be honest, I am happy with what we got.  There are a lovely range of shots, the customers went home happy and I now hope they like what they see.  I don’t photograph a lot of pets, so this was an ideal opportunity to try to broaden my horizons as a photographer.

As I try to complete the job, my eyes are heavy, this was a challenge but like all challenges I am left in its wake feeling content.  This is the kind of project I think I should do more often and I urge others to also.  It is all to easy for a professional photographer to focus on revenue, but there is a kind of warm feeling when you undertake a project for no obvious gain, that said I did take a couple of bookings today which is nice but certainly not what this was all about.

If you have read this blog today, could I urge you to visit our Facebook page, and visit the gallery.  Please take a little time and like any images you like.  The winning pet owner will I am sure be most grateful.  Plus there are more images from the set to see.  As with any of my work I love to hear from people, feedback is important.

Ground-rush!

May 11, 2012
Development, Portraits
Leave a comment

Some of you may have become aware that as a promotion I am organising a pets open day at the studio this weekend.  This is a project designed to raise my profile within the community, so show off my work and me working. The prospect of having a studio full of a variety of pets is daunting but the potential of the day excites me.  One thing is for sure, it will be a busy day.

There is still so much to arrange and finish.  I have props to paint still as its been a while since all my posing blocks were properly white.  I think the key to these things is to keep things as simple as possible but not this time.  What I am conscious of is I don’t ideally want 20 pets all in the same light.  I want to have a gallery of images that shows the animals off to their best and gives the final gallery some range.

Another consideration is the final output!  The winning pet will be the one who gets the most likes on our Facebook page and will be printed on a large white Canvas for the owner, so the image has to suit this output.

I am allowing four pets an hour to step in front of my lights, which does not sound much until you consider the effort.  I have options.  Light or dark backdrop?  Soft, hard light, props or not.  What is the character of the animal and how can I capture it in a few minutes.  I after all only need one image for the gallery.

Sunday is not too long away now.  All the details need completing, there is still so much to do, I simply don’t know if I will get it done in time.

Look out for the release of the images and please visit our Facebook page to vote for your favorite image when they go live.  There will only be 7 days before the winner will be announced.

Pets win Prizes!

May 5, 2012
Development, From the Archive, Opinion, Portraits
Leave a comment

We at LIMEfotographic have arranged a special open day at our studio on Eichholtstrasse, in Bunde, near Herford in Germany on Sunday 13th May 2012.

You love your pets, of course you do!  Have you ever considered getting a professional pet portrait done?  Well here is your chance, and you can be in with the chance to WIN a canvas frame print of your special pet.

We are opening our studio for a special pet day, so between 10am and 4pm on the 13th May, bring your pets to the studio behind the Naafi in Bunde (near Herford).  We will photograph your beloved pet.

 

HOW THIS WORKS.  This is a promotion day, we will photograph your pet in our studio for a maximum of 15 minutes per pet.  Once the images are processed they will be posted on our Facebook page for voting.  You can invite who ever you can to vote for your pet and quite simply by the closing date, announced when the images are posted, the image with the most likes, will win a stunning canvas print worth €250.

There is no obligation to purchase anything, but of course you may decide that you would like to book a family shoot or some simple portraits…………

Just pop by on the day, and don’t forget to bring your favorite pet with you.

Promotion and give away’s

May 2, 2012
Development, From the Archive, Opinion, Portraits, Wedding
2 Comments

The technical side of photography is not a problem for me.  I know that may sound big-headed, it’s not meant to be.  My photographic training was, let’s say, comprehensive.  A seven month full-time course that in wider circles is well-respected, certainly gives you a grounding.  I look back at some of the work from back then and cringe at it, but I also accept it for what it is and am still striving.

A personal first from ten years ago, the use of many layers, taking days to do and really pushing the computers boundaries.

Having been presented with the subject ‘shopping’, it made sense to mimic some of the visual inspiration of the time.  Not great work now but it was a step.

When I graduated from the school, I felt a little bit like when I had just passed my driving test.  I knew how to take a photograph but that was just the mechanics, I now had to develop that knowledge into a style, to give my images some character.  This I think is where the real challenge of photography is.

I really enjoy shooting weddings, they are challenging and never easy, so you need your wits about you.

So ten years on, my photography has developed into its current manifestation and I now think I am a marketable commodity.  This is where my next hurdle lays.  All my training does not prepare me for self promotion.  Some of you who have been reading my blog or follow my Facebook page may be surprised to hear that, or maybe not.  I have in recent months been looking into the different ways to market yourself and mostly it is now down to the internet.

In the studio, you need to work hard to get the shots you want, you can never just turn up to a shoot.

Sometimes it is a shame that many elements used in the shot are hidden.

Inspiration is important to any photographer, we draw our inspiration from other image makers all the time.

Being in Germany does kind of limit my available market somewhat but this gives me the opportunities to try out marketing plans to get an idea about what works or doesn’t.  Mostly though I just want to stay busy, producing new work.  I have in the past organised a very successful studio open day where I allowed visitors to come in off the street into the studio, sample a micro shoot, see the product and as a result took bookings for bigger shoots.  My next project is similar, but based on the pets theme.  This one will be slightly different as it will be a kind of competition where people who have their pet photographed will then see their image on our Facebook page.  This is where they vote (by liking) their pets image and they then invite their family, friends, anyone who knows them to also like their image.  The winner will receive a canvas print of the winning image.  Votes can also be included by the general public, so there will be a need to really push the Facebook page.

Sometimes you just have to jump in with both feet, a studio full of animals is a daunting thought.

The idea excites me, I am intrigued as to how the project will work out.  This does need loads of work to work, but it is just another step in the journey of building a client base and a reputation that is in this industry all important.

I don’t find self promotion easy, I find that at times I feel clumsy and awkward with it, I am always too critical of my own work, but I accept that in these times I have to get beyond that and just go for it.

A change of perspective and the search for a new presentation.

May 1, 2012
Development, Opinion
7 Comments

A change is as good as a rest, so they say.  I am leaving video behind at least for the time being and as I look to get back with my beloved stills camera, I have been trying to work in ways I do not normally.

Out came the 60mm Macro lens and on a perfect morning in England with dew sitting on the foliage I experimented.  I have shot macro before but it is not really something that a do much of, neither is the nature shot.

I was lucky also to find a couple of bugs (this now seems to be what my kids now call them), crawling around.

I have also been looking at ways to present images better than just straight edges.  A part of me is reluctant as I do feel that in many ways these presentation methods are employed too often to make mediocre images seem better than they are.  This also goes for some of the post production so many photographers seem to be using now.

The search was down to looking for ways I could present some of my Afghan work in a book or for an exhibition.  So I looked for a few choices and have so far settled on the ‘Photoframe’ software that integrates with my Adobe software so well.  I am using it on a trial basis and at this stage I think it’s important to make visual mistakes, so there are a couple of frames that I don’t think work, or I don’t like.

I hope you like the images.

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
Leave a comment

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…….

ImageImage

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.

ImageImageImage

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.

ImageImageImage

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).

Image

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.

Image

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!

ImageImageImage

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

ImageImage

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

ImageImageImage

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.

Image

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.

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!

Is the photographic industry dead or dying?

March 5, 2012
Opinion
2 Comments

I am a professional photographer, that simply means I get paid to take photographs. This is my livelihood and not just a fun pass time (I know how lucky I am to enjoy what I do for a living). I am aware of the things that are said and done on the internet and the speed with which this industry is changing.

As anyone in this industry its hard to be truly objective about its development as anything I will say could be seen as sour grapes. On a positive note, digital photography has made photography accessible to anyone, which is a good thing, right? This means that the numbers of people with a ‘decent’ camera, clicking away has gone exponential. Even IPhone’s are regarded as excellent at gathering the image. You even have Pro’s shooting weddings with one!

Now I am not a photography snob (at least I don’t think I am), photography is not about your kit or equipment, its all about seeing the potential of an image before you take it and using your skill to capture it, however I do worry about perception with the public (clients) and more and more with people within the industry. Weddings are now being shot by Pro’s with the iphone 4, which is great for iphone and I am sure that a skilled operator does it justice. The problem is that every man and his dog has an iphone though and the perception ‘could’ be that anyone can now do a professional job with one. Not true. There will however be an issue with costs as you can get one of these cameras free on a contract and other photographers have over ten thousand pounds worth of kit, both pitching for the same wedding, there will be a massive range of costs, so where will this lead. Not having an iphone (for now), I really don’t know just how adept they are, my understanding is that you get app’s to re-work the images. This to me is like using a filter in Photoshop to give your images a ‘look’. In essence you use a filter to make ‘ordinary’ images stand out. This is only my opinion.

Where does that leave the industry? Well only time will tell, but one thing that gives me a degree of hope is that more and more clients are beginning to seek references from a photographer prior to booking, could this be down to the client now understanding that its the person that makes the image and not the camera? Is this knowledge borne from the experience of having a ‘good’ camera and wondering why they can not get the quality of image they expected by pointing it and shooting? Could this finally be the bubble of an over saturated market about to burst and the beginning of the rediscovery and homage to the skill of the photographer?

This is not intended to be an elitist subject, because these developments have brought some very talented people into an industry that was largely inaccessible before, but a statement about how an unregulated industry is seen by many as being in the dying twitches. Could we be seeing the dawn of a new era? Discuss. 

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
1 Comment

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
Leave a comment

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.