Combat photography

The pictures blew me away at first.  They were so real! They were so beautiful!  They were so painfully honest!  Had I not read the article itself I would have never known that the soldiers, guns, and situations were all fake.  I had casually glanced at a caption that had contributed that particular photo to Spain.  I was surprised because I could not recall a major conflict in Spain but otherwise did not think much of it.  Then I read the article. 

Structurally, I think it was very well done.  Every two short paragraphs saw a fantastic photograph divide them.  Naturally, the photos accompanied the topic of the article at that point.  It not only gave me context, it kept me interested.  With today’s short attention span, this nuanced way of presenting a story seems very effective, at least for myself.  I eagerly read through the article hoping for new photos and tidbits and I was not disappointed.  If I ever find myself in charge of a website that produced news, that is the way I would present it. 

The content of the article was equally as interesting.  To be completely honest, I seriously do not foresee myself as a photographer in a war zone.  For one, I prefer broadcast journalism.  Secondly, being in an area where there is gunfire does not at all appeal to me.  However, if I was, a training session like this could be extraordinarily useful.  It would present the realities and necessities of photographing a military conflict in a consequence free environment.  I have never been in a warzone, but it seems to me that probably nothing would compare to the real thing.  That being said, an organization like “Conflict Photography Workshops” would presumably grant me some idea. 

Another reaction I had was happiness.  I was glad that the veterans who run “Conflict Photography Workshops” were able to channel their experiences as something positive for them and their families.   Most of what I hear about veterans returning home is their crippling PTSD, their permanent physical/emotional wounds, their inability to rejoin civilian life, and their inability to get a job.  It seems to me that organizations like “Conflict Photography Workshops” are a great way to combat the effects of a warzone. 

·      It provides a source of income for the soldiers and their families.

·      It is a job that the soldiers are expertly trained for.

·      It gives the soldiers returning home another mission or purpose.

·      It recreates the trauma of a battle without the real-life consequences.  This in turn conditions the brain to perhaps let go of the war and minimize the trauma. 

·      It trains journalists how to act and react to war situations, making them easier to work with as soldiers.  This takes a responsibility of the soldier and allows them to do their jobs and protect their people more effectively.

·      It grants both the participants and the workers the opportunity to work in the beautiful Spanish countryside. 

In conclusion, I find both the article and its content very cool.