The ‘SCURGE’ of photography and a client education

Afghanistan, Military work

2 Comments

Photography is as popular now as it has ever been, with many households in the west owning at least one reasonable SLR (or so it would seem). The instant viability of the image means that if you miss the first shot you can adjust your settings and have another go (in many cases). We take many more photographs than we used to and probably as a result this has actually devalued the image. We can simply take another shot, means that getting it right first time is not important…

The number of people I speak to who tell me that photography is actually not that easy, they went out and bought a really great camera that has all these buttons and hey, “why can’t I get the background to blur?”, or “my photo’s were too dark”, to name a couple.

Whilst it is true that the newer cameras are technologically advanced and will continue to be so, there is a skill, a skill that is totally reliant on knowing the principals and more importantly being able to and understanding how to manipulate them.

I have been toying with the idea of dabbling with film for some time now, and have recently bought an old large format ‘Speed Graphic’ or press camera from the 40’s and 50’s. It is a big beast (not the biggest), and I have yet to find the memory card slot, let alone the playback screen.

The fact of the matter I plan to work on some portraiture and possibly the odd landscape, and the exposure needs to be spot on. So I decided to play around with some exposure techniques. The first I tried was a rather clunky and simple method, where I take a spot meter reading from the lightest part of the face and then for my daughter I over exposed the whole image by 1.3 stops. The exposure alteration will vary depending on the lightness of the skin. The reason for this is the light meter will try to make your selected area mid grey, but for my daughter that would make her look too dark. There is an element of trial and error to start with but as you look at your subject you will get to know what adjustment to make.

Any way back to the subject, I had decided not to view any of the images until I was finished and my daughter was eating her promised ice cream. Although not the same as film I wanted to add that little bit of pressure to the process as it was not that easy to re shoot if they had not come out. It’s all part of the mind set needed for film.

The images in this entry are those from the walk and as you can see I did not get too many. But the exposures were exactly what I wanted and apart from a little split toning or desaturating in Lightroom, they are as they came out of the camera.

These images were taken on a D800 with a prime 105mm f2 lens and manual focus.

SLOW DOWN AND GET IT RIGHT FIRST TIME!

Another homecoming parade, how many left?

May 3, 2013

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Getting known and trying to break the norm.

November 28, 2012

Development, Portraits, Promotion

Any photographer will tell you that one of the biggest journeys for them to take is the attempt to do something new, so find their own USP (Unique Selling Point). More often and not these days it is a certain look done in post production (after the photo has been taken). An example of this is the Dragan effect (google it). The thing is with PP is that it is quite easily replicated. Once someone comes out with a catchy look, its just a matter of time before everyone is doing it. That USP then becomes dull, it loses its impact.

I have decided to undertake a couple of projects over this Christmas period working at charity events and a Christmas fayre.

Why?

Well simple, I decided I needed to do two things. Firstly be seen for what I do (taking portraits) and secondly to capture something that makes people go wow, which is not that easy. I also wanted to make people go, “I like that, can I book a family shoot or a portrait session from you?”

A standard set up for this kind of event is probably a two light set up, maybe three. A main light, fill and either a background light or hair light. The idea being that this set up is versatile as the sweet spot can be organised to be quite large.

Well I decided I didn’t want to do that as although you can get reasonable light it will not suit everyone. There is not really any set up that will suit everyone, so decisions have to be made. I chose to use a ‘clam shell’ set up which has the main light as a 1.2m Octobox directly above the subject, and very close. The fill light is under my feet and I shoot through the gap in between. The problem is that to get this really amazing soft light the subject is close to the light and the sweet spot is quite small. I can only fit (carefully) two subjects.

Ultimately here lays the problem. I do not directly make any money from this shoot which as a business I have to make money to survive. There will always be people that want a certain shot and it is difficult to almost alienate yourself from anyone, but I have to look at the bigger picture. I want you to see that I can get some amazing pictures of you guys and in a studio with all my kit at my disposal and a couple of hours to spare, we can come up with same really memorable shots that you will love.

Looking at it that way, its a bit of a no brainer really…. What I particularly love about this is the options that remain in PP, like in any lighting situation I suppose.

In the thick of it and always experimenting

November 19, 2012

As a photographer one of the best parts of the job is the sheer volume of options. I love the fact that I can always learn new techniques, be it composition, lighting, style or… well the options some times feel pretty limitless. #

The only limit to a photographer is their imagination.

I love playing with lighting, the studio is a great place when things are going well and the most frustrating place when they are not.

Lighting is, in essence quite simple, even the most complex of lighting set ups should look simple, but simple is great to look at and natural.

After setting up a stand at a recent charity fashion show, I thought it would make a great opportunity to try a simple clamshell setup. I have to say I have never used this one before and I really have no idea why. It is an amazing light and with post pro can suit men, women and children.

For this one I had a 1.2m Octabox as the key light, with a simple shoot through brolly as the fill from the floor. The lights were no more than 1m from the subject so I used a wide lens for most of them.

Another set up in the bank.

Building books and the tangible truth

October 22, 2012

Afghanistan, Military work, Opinion, Portraits

6 Comments

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.

Finding the time, a photographers lot

October 19, 2012

Well many of you may be aware the last few weeks have been a blur, but a happy one. Now I am starting to move on and as a photographer, there is always a difficulty balancing the work with real life. Any working photographer lives and breathes photography, and I find it gets worse the longer I go on. Understanding light is probably the hardest thing with photography and it takes time. There are no shortcuts here and learning to identify and use light is something every photographer constantly works with.

As I understand light more and more, I see opportunity and inspiration. I suppose it feels a little bit like staring at the screen on ‘The Matrix’, you just start to see photographs everywhere. That said seeing images and capturing images are two completely different things though the more I see light and its subtleties I base it on images I have taken.

Now I like working in the studio with controlled light. There is a sense that anything is possible, if you can just control it as you need. I really love photographing people but the most difficult part is ‘the people’, getting them to do what you want, no, need them to do. A sitter does not have any idea what is going on in my head (probably a good thing), and I am working towards an end product that nestles in the outer reaches of my muddled head.

There is no substitute for working with people, it really is the only way you get to know the craft of lighting. I can play with new ideas on an inanimate object but translating that to people is something that can only be done with people……

….and no two people are the same.

So there we have it, this post is no more than a plug, I need you to improve and you need me to take your portrait, so there you go, no excuses any more…

And here is to the weekend, all good in moderation.

Award winning, does it really make a difference?

October 12, 2012

Military work

10 Comments

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.

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

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

Development, Military work

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

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.

Herding cats and capturing character

May 13, 2012

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.

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.

Where do I go from here?

May 1, 2012

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

Those left behind

April 1, 2012

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

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