A firefight in the Korengal, Afghanistan

[Headshotzx]

Mad respect. You've got skills and courage, man. :thumbsup:

 

[asianshepherd]

Mad respect. You've got skills and courage, man. :thumbsup:

I really don't know if I've that much courage. It's a 'job' and that comes first most of the time. I think in the heat of the moment, I really didn't think too much. If I've decided to take cover behind a wall then there will be no photos but while taking photos you do as much as possible not to present too big a target and make sure you don't jump up in front of a gun that is firing towards the enemy (soldiers were firing all around me). Job done!

 

[asianshepherd]

wow..show us more pics.. thanks

I apologise if I look like an idiot for not know how to multi quote and reply to several people all at once (on the same reply box). I just want to say that I don't get interesting useable photos everyday so I'll post more only if I have decent stuff to show. You know what I mean...

 

[sprintist]

It usually depends on the terrain accessibility more than anything else. In May the platoon I was embed with had a major firefight with a group of Talibans resulting in the death of most of them. The platoon actually went up the mountains to collect the bodies and weapons, etc.

My current location's terrain is really quite rough and it's just not worth going up hostile terrain to check body count. After a firefight, the platoon would just leave and return to base.

i see, at least rough terrain isn't as vulnerable to direct roadside bomb attacks, nevertheless its pure danger out there and once again, stay safe- :thumbsup:

 

[chngpe01]

PFC Repass joining in the fight.

This image is on the Straits Times today, pg A32 an article in Foreign Matters

Photo: Frances Presse


Nice to see yr works here, be safe :thumbsup:

 

[sprintist]

This image is on the Straits Times today, pg A32 an article in Foreign Matters

Photo: Frances Presse


Nice to see yr works here, be safe :thumbsup:

oh yeah i just read that too :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[hwchoy]

I prefer b/w it has more definition and texture.

 

[rwcheng]

:thumbsup:


This is on front page of MSNBC. Congrats.

 

[asianshepherd]

Thanks! I didn't even know that pic made it to MSNBC.

 

[shadowpartner]

Very dangerous job to be out there i must say.
Nice shots!
Be careful and i wish you all the best

 

[PrimePhotog]

Awesome shots... It's really nice to see some decent shots(IMHO) in this subforum. Your work really stand out

 

[hazwanosman]

do gv more pictures in the future alrite? so i would like to noe how do u end up doin tis? isit as easy as taking a plane to afghan and jus snap pictures?

 

[scud]

seen all your threads, really awesome photos!
u r the man! be safe and hope to see more of your works.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[asianshepherd]

do gv more pictures in the future alrite? so i would like to noe how do u end up doin tis? isit as easy as taking a plane to afghan and jus snap pictures?

If you read my other threads you will find info on how to do this.

 

[asianshepherd]

seen all your threads, really awesome photos!
u r the man! be safe and hope to see more of your works.
:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Hiya! Tomorrow is the last day of my embed and then I'm going home so this will be the last series of photos from Afghanistan (from me!) that you will see in a long time until next spring.

 

[Krisgage]

awesome photos ! Take care n stay safe !

 

[erickho1979]

Cool pics, i would trade places with u if given the chance to take picture at war front.

 

[gazkw]

Cool pics, i would trade places with u if given the chance to take picture at war front.

wah you so sure? i'm not so sure as amazing as the experience may be.

 

[Zeisser]

It is from risk takers like yourself that enable the world to know about conflicts happening
every where.The harsh reality of war as not portrayed in movies. We have had a rare few
who also covered the Vietnam War. Kudos to you for risking life and limb to bring us such
closeup and unseen footage it really takes guts and not 'gungho temperment to say I wanna be in your shoes' kind of comments.You are among the rare few.

Stay safe and God bless.

 

[asianshepherd]

It is from risk takers like yourself that enable the world to know about conflicts happening
every where.The harsh reality of war as not portrayed in movies. We have had a rare few
who also covered the Vietnam War. Kudos to you for risking life and limb to bring us such
closeup and unseen footage it really takes guts and not 'gungho temperment to say I wanna be in your shoes' kind of comments.You are among the rare few.

Stay safe and God bless.

Thanks for the compliments. Indeed I've had quite a few 'I want to be in your shoes' comments and believes that the credential one needs is to be a photographer. Things are somewhat more complex than that especially with the logistics of getting an embed, getting kit up, physical fitness, etc, etc.

Besides, in all honesty, being a 'war' photographer sounds a lot more glam than the reality and the danger involved is all too real. What you see on the silver screen is pure Hollywood B.S. In my personal opinion, the HBO produced series 'Generation Kill' probably come closest to portraying a journalist on a military media embed. I've been trying to get hold of the book but couldn't find it the last time I went to Singapore.

As for it being a 'dream' job there's nothing dreamy when the bullets start flying or when you hear the whistle of an RPG round whooshing over your head and see mangled dead bodies (Talibans). I have yet to see a wounded or KIA friendly and hope that I never will because images like that will stay in your head for a long time to come.