will u be a war photojournalist if given opportunity ?

[sammy888]

From what I know, war journalists are told never to be armed. They can have armed escort and they can be body armour and use arm bands and chest sign to say they are part of the press. Being armed or seen as being armed with a weapon will create enough doubt that you will be shot in defend. Many times there has been stories where even in very hostile situations, press people were spared in the interest that both side want the story told. So there is some buffer given in that respect. Of course it is no guaranteed and there is also such a thing called "friendly" fire. In fact this Iraq war have had a few cases of US soldiers who were actually shot by their own....that would include any civilians that were with them at the given time.

Danger comes with the territory of the job. No one is saying one will dive off the deep end into it but more like you will ease into it as you get on with the job. Not one get brave over night that's for sure.

 

[Exposure]

From what I know, war journalists are told never to be armed. They can have armed escort and they can be body armour and use arm bands and chest sign to say they are part of the press. Being armed or seen as being armed with a weapon will create enough doubt that you will be shot in defend. Many times there has been stories where even in very hostile situations, press people were spared in the interest that both side want the story told. So there is some buffer given in that respect. Of course it is no guaranteed and there is also such a thing called "friendly" fire. In fact this Iraq war have had a few cases of US soldiers who were actually shot by their own....that would include any civilians that were with them at the given time.

Danger comes with the territory of the job. No one is saying one will dive off the deep end into it but more like you will ease into it as you get on with the job. Not one get brave over night that's for sure.

there are also cases where their long telephoto lenses were mistaken for anti-tank rocket launchers by both sides... so they were being fired at for that threat

 

[sORe-EyEz]

there are also cases where their long telephoto lenses were mistaken for anti-tank rocket launchers by both sides... so they were being fired at for that threat

that may be the reason some lenses are white (or ivory?) in colour? :think:

 

[vonlichenstein]

that may be the reason some lenses are white (or ivory?) in colour? :think:

i think its not the colour of the lens, its the size and shape of them. and the fact that the soldiers are so jumpy because their nerves are frayed from getting shot at on a daily basis.

 

[ahbian]

The idea of a war photojournalist has been romanticized by quite a few people, it is not just dodging bullets and telling a story. The emotional scars are much harder to deal with than the physical scars.

Anyone remember Kevin Carter?

 

[domdomino]

My answer would be yes. .

given a chance to make something out of my life, i would go for it.

After i enjoy and live my life to the fullness. Even if shot dead, i will die happy

 

[Exposure]

that may be the reason some lenses are white (or ivory?) in colour? :think:

Nikon ones are in black :sweat:

 

[vonlichenstein]

My answer would be yes. .

given a chance to make something out of my life, i would go for it.

After i enjoy and live my life to the fullness. Even if shot dead, i will die happy

the reality of that is, if you're shot, you're going to die screaming and writhing in agony, before losing consciousness and slipping away. getting shot is nothing like the movies, it's going to mess you up severely. Unless you're fortunate enough to die immediately from a shot to the head/heart (btw, getting shot in the heart doesn't always kill you immediately.)

Nikon ones are in black :sweat:

you'll find that assorted small arms and shoulder launched projectiles come in a dazzling array of colours and shapes that can resemble lenses when you're not looking too carefully.

 

[auron]

if u have a family to return back to...
1) wife
2) young kids
3) old parents

i think it is quite selfish of oneself to become a war photojournalist knowing well that you may come back in a bodybag.

 

[juste_millieu]

no need to consider.. if got chance i will go :bsmilie:

 

[Simon_84]

the reality of that is, if you're shot, you're going to die screaming and writhing in agony, before losing consciousness and slipping away. getting shot is nothing like the movies, it's going to mess you up severely. Unless you're fortunate enough to die immediately from a shot to the head/heart (btw, getting shot in the heart doesn't always kill you immediately.)



you'll find that assorted small arms and shoulder launched projectiles come in a dazzling array of colours and shapes that can resemble lenses when you're not looking too carefully.

you sound like you been there before, cared to tell us more ?
the closest an NSF can get to these war-zones in the navy is on board a ship patrolling in Persian gulf, unless you are a regular.

a 7.62mm round though the chest basically if it doesn't kill you immediately, most likely is a slow, painful and bloody death.

the moment you step into a war-zone, the way you view life will forever change...ppl who make their choice to go there, knows the danger very well.

 

[synapseman]

I second the idea of paintball training session. Bring all your DSLR gear with you and try to see if you (and your kit) can survive a session without getting hit. Tell yourself that every time you get hit by a paint pellet on a non-vital area, you donate $100 to charity. For a vital part, $200 per hit.

 

[vonlichenstein]

you sound like you been there before, cared to tell us more ?
the closest an NSF can get to these war-zones in the navy is on board a ship patrolling in Persian gulf, unless you are a regular.

a 7.62mm round though the chest basically if it doesn't kill you immediately, most likely is a slow, painful and bloody death.

the moment you step into a war-zone, the way you view life will forever change...ppl who make their choice to go there, knows the danger very well.

lol no, i haven't. frankly i don't think i'd be emotionally sound if i have been there, done that. i don't think i have the mental strength (not to mention the physical fitness and luck required) to make it through a conflict. I merely have friends and relatives who have been in conflicts, and talking to them, in addition to reading extensively the writings of soldiers,war journalists and civilians, brings me the closest i will be to such things until the day i actually get into the midst of one. which i pray i never will.

yeah, i agree TOTALLY with your point in bold.

I second the idea of paintball training session. Bring all your DSLR gear with you and try to see if you (and your kit) can survive a session without getting hit. Tell yourself that every time you get hit by a paint pellet on a non-vital area, you donate $100 to charity. For a vital part, $200 per hit.

:bsmilie: thats a very good idea

 

[Simon_84]

once ppl make their choice to go into a war-zone, i feel we should respect their decision.
cause it take a hell lot of mental strength to go in and try to get out of the zone alive and not everyone can make it...perhaps that's when elite training during NS comes into play.

elite units in sg train so much just so that they can be prepared should there be a need to go into UN-peace keeping missions.

but be aware that nobody is innocent when it comes to war, be it friend or foe.