REVELATIONS
FROM A COMBAT PHOTOJOURNALIST
Picture this… Imagine you are on a combat camera assignment in Iraq. You move along the dusty back alley hugging the shadows, avoiding spaces where you become silhouetted. Suddenly a juddering wakeup call! Two 7.62mm rounds rip past you and smash into the masonry a foot above your head. Hidden behind a window frame a sniper armed with an AK 47 Kalashnikov rifle has you locked in his sights. You are “targeted.” You streak to better cover, splattered with dust splinters. Lady luck smiled this time. You know by crack of the rifle and the time the bullets hit the masonry the sniper is close and he wants to kill you. That’s the reality when you’re shooting news images on the frontline. It comes with the territory.
Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of frontline combat photojournalists as they shoot images of conflict in far flung places? The capture of raw emotion, anguish, compassion and anger… framed slices of life and death frozen in time; made possible by the daring and skill of those intrepid professionals who make surviving in eminent danger an everyday affair.
Who are these unsung heroes, constantly searching through their camera viewfinders for the ultimate news image? I’ll tell you who. What is the secret of their obsession to capture memorable combat images? I know the secret. How could their sustained personal drive, inspiration, skill and resolve rub off on you? I have the answer. Would you like to reach out and become a photojournalist serving on the front line? I’ll show you how.
Let me share the hidden philosophy of a combat photojournalist. I have just published my illustrated eBook, “The Camera on the Frontline.” This eBook will guide you on a fascinating journey into the combat zone, while revealing closely guarded image-making skills and production techniques. Here is a sample of the eBook’s information resource:
What’s inside:
“The Camera on the Frontline”
- 15 Chapters
- 122 Pages of information and illustrations
Chapter headings & subject content:
Chapter #1: Caught in the crossfire
The introduction that sets the eBook’s opening scene. The hard facts about the realities, ethics, dangers and the opportunities that front line combat imagery provides.
Chapter # 2: Your comrade in arms
A fascinating insight into the role, the military sniper. The sniper’s function, acute sensitivity to the environment and the similarity of intent to photojournalists shooting combat action with a camera. The information includes the mindset, observation, concealment and awareness that both professionals have in common.
Chapter # 3: Your vital communication strategy
Learn how the professional frontline photojournalists use strategic communication skills to achieve their aims.
Chapter # 4: Interview with award winning 6-times Olympic Games action photographer
Ross Land shares his professional knowledge back grounding his successes and failures from early beginning to his Getty picture management role. This interview is a “must” for aspiring photographers seeking professional status.
Chapter #5: Revelations from the rain forest
An eyewitness account of the amazing intuitive awareness skills demonstrated by Iban warriors tracking enemy troops in the Borneo rain forest. An assignment with people with formidable head hunting traditions.
Chapter #6: Always expect the unexpected
Learn about the day in the life of a combat photojournalist battling Murthy’s Law: "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and at the worst possible time, in the worst possible way." A shock gift of a second wife in the Highlands of South Vietnam and the mysterious compass malfunction that brought a convoy of US Special Forces to my aid in Thailand.
Chapter #7: Hot Steel incoming
Story and pictures of the crippling explosion of an 82mm mortar barrel captured on film in war-torn Afghanistan.. The ensuring blast all but killed author and photographer, Terence White. Witness the actual image instinctively shot before the exploding metal fragments strike and maim this combat veteran.
Chapter #8: Sensing leads – the human factor
An innovative method to help image selection involving the use of all your human senses. I will show you how to increase your sense awareness by connecting with the sense of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Included in this chapter is a practical exercise to increase your sense awareness.
Chapter #9: Met my mentor – Horst Fass
Meet world famous combat cameraman Horst Fass, who, by his bravery and skill, has set the combat image standard. This German frontline photojournalist is a legend. His awards include two Pulitzer Prizes, the first photographer to receive the prestigious award twice. He shares his views and advice in a revealing account of his thoughts and attitude to war photography.
Chapter #10: Good pictures stand out
This chapter features an in-depth interview with internationally acclaimed photo editor, Neville Marriner. Neville pulls no punches explaining his exacting expectations about news photo production, image acceptance, emotional power and quality. Hard hitting professional advice from a veteran photojournalist now editing and selecting powerful news images for newspaper release. For those seeking to measure the standard of news images that sell, Neville’s comments, criticisms, and image commendation are worth the price of this eBook alone.
Chapter #11: Spotlighting news values
What makes the news news-worthy? Practical insight to help you understand how news content is valued by editors, agencies and recipients. You will learn how you can capture profitable news leads, where to begin your research and communicate effectively with news outlets.
Chapter #12: Harnessing the power of emotion
This chapter is vital to all who aspire to take memorable and saleable images. This is critically important information that must be understood and practiced by serious and professional photographers. Understanding the power of visual emotion has a huge bearing on the success or failure of news image acceptance.
Chapter #13: The television camera perspective
Leading international TV lighting cameraman and producer, Sean Carswell, based in Spain, shares his thoughts, experiences and TV predictions for the future in a frank and revealing interview. Sean takes you under his wing and establishes ground rules for successful TV production, including ideas and techniques for those videographers with an eye to Internet movie making and TV news “spot” items.
Chapter #14: Do your homework thoroughly
A detailed overview of combat survival on assignment. Here, we explore the mindset of frontline photojournalists, explore their homework, attention to detail, survival techniques and combat preparation skills. Much of the information in this chapter can be used and adapted to everyday living, outdoor pursuits, bush treks and camera assignments.
Chapter #15: Who packed your parachute?
A moving story of motivational speaker and American F-4 Phantom jet navy fighter pilot, Captain Charles Plum, POW, shot down after 74 strike missions by an enemy missile over North Vietnam. He owed his life to his parachute packer who he had never met in person or communicated with. It was by sheer chance they met in restaurant years later. What happened in the restaurant speaks volumes about human nature.
Nothing will ever replace hard-won combat experience, but many valuable lessons can be learned from it... powerful lessons waiting for you to enjoy in 'CAMERA on the FRONTLINE.'
Just are one click away!
|
