What are the steps to becoming a conflict photographer, working in the tougher areas of the globe?
How about start with a sincere motivation to enlighten and inform an audience and/or tell the honest story about humans caught in conflict. Second, remove your motivations for acclaim. It’s not a fucking sport, sport. The best documentary photographers are powered by sincere desire to connect human narrative with an audience, not by their own ego.
This literally has nothing to do with my ego or making a name for myself. I want to make a difference and do something with my life before I go, and I have a passion for the truth
Go to wear there’s conflict, take pictures, don’t die….
War photographers include both staff and freelance individuals who specialize in documenting conflicts and humanitarian crises. They are typically commissioned by news outlets or press agencies, holding press IDs that grant them access to specific locations. On the field, meticulous preparation and prioritizing security are crucial aspects of their work. To navigate unfamiliar territories and ensure safety, they often collaborate with fixers—individuals with significant experience in the region. Esteemed professionals like Linsey Addario and Marcus Yam serve as exemplary veteran war photographers, showcasing extensive expertise in their field.
I’d like to know
Buy camera, create conflict
Conflict journalist here. Covered Ukraine, Yemen, ISR/PAL, all the bells and whistles.
First of all, war isn’t as glamourous as we sometimes think it is. Conflict journalism is dirty, terrible for the brain and will make you an alcoholic or nicotine addict fast. You’ll see things you’ll never forget, and let’s not even talk about the smell.
You still on board? Cool.
Second of all, not exactly a profession that hires very often. Most of the people I know got into it by speaking a ton of languages, talking to the right people, landing a job and then meeting more people by that. Like the rest of professional photography, too.
Third of all, you’ll have to be exceptional in all you do. Exceptionally good photographer, exceptionally good writer, exceptionally good language skills, exceptional skill at not getting yourself killed by angry islamists who have decided you are their personal enemy. You get the gist. You’ll have to know the basics of Combat Trauma Care, not just the standard first aid. Many people recommend some sort of conduct training in a war zone, I personally never went to one and yet I’m alive, despite numerous groups trying to change that fact.
If you’re still not unconvinced, get yourself a trench coat, a plate carrier and a camera that you can repair blindly. And also send me a message, so we know where to pick up your body. All the best.
People think war is glamourous?
Mostly people who have never left the comfort of their own city. This is why World War I happened.
Where would I get started on the latter parts of this? Joining a branch of the military? I’m currently studying Ukrainian.
let’s not even talk about the smell
I had a pack of pork chops go off once when a freezer broke — instant flashbacks to Gulf War I.
Exactly that smell. Welcome to the club.
Bet you’ve got some cool stories at least
The big media companies hire photographers and only a few of them. I like many of the comments here. You will need peerless skills in many areas in addition to photographic skills. Do you speak any languages? Have you any military experience? Are you working as a press stringer now?
Have you seen the Killing Fields?
I’m currently studying Ukrainian, I don’t have any military experience, but if that’s something that would be a step in the right direction, it’s something I will certainly consider
Be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A friend did this semi-successfully in the early 2010’s.
He spoke a few different languages, including helpfully Arabic and French, and would fly out to somewhere at the first sign of troubles kicking off, work and charm and convince his way to the front and then ‘embed’ with people who wanted to get their pictures out there. He sold photos to the wires and to some newspapers directly and normally managed to cover his costs but not make much ‘profit’. I think one or two amazing shots could raise most of the money for a trip.
Over time he got to know people and they would ask him to go to places and be more explicit that they were interested in photos, “Are you thinking of going to Syria” etc. He also built up relationships in country, so he would have ‘fixers” or similar - particularly if someone was happy about a big photo that had been in newspapers. A lot of this was the Arab Spring aftermath which sounded chaotic as hell, loads of militias roaming around Libya and Egypt etc. He almost got killed a couple of times in quick succession and decided to stop, it didn’t seem like there was an obvious route to a staff position or being better protected or paid.
To be honest hearing him talk about killed any sense of romance and adventure about it. It sounded incredibly grim all the time, living in squalor often with horrible people who generally didn’t care about him and hoping not to suffer an unpleasant death.
I worked on Vice on HBO for a bit in 2015. I was excited to jump on cause I liked their content since it came out. They loved me and offered a staff position, but I could never. Some of the sketchier stories I heard from other crew were very intense. I had to leave because my laptop got hacked, it was freaky.
Would you mind sharing some of those stories?
I’d love to hear some stories if you’re willing to share.
Also, great username :)
There are so many. I can’t really go into too much detail. There were crew members getting imprisoned in ISIS jails in Turkey, journalists getting held and beaten in basements by the Russian army, I mean shit was real. But they were also not very open and honest with what you were getting into and played a lot of things down, that was my biggest issue. Also didn’t seem like they had their t’s crossed and i’s dotted unless it directly involved Shane. Once Shane was off location it felt like you were fending for yourself. A lot of people were loyal and were excited to work for them, but they also burned through sooooo much talent, they definitely had a reputation in the industry, not a good one. Some of the stuff was definitely very interesting, I just really wish they were more professional about things and the work culture was a bit more buttoned up. I think they could’ve grown into something special.
Be a local photo journalist, local as in lives in the conflict zone.
Go fight everyone you encounter, become the very best, seize the top! (While shooting, naturally).
- Buy camera.
- Go to conflict.
- Profit.
First and foremost: grow some absolutely massive balls
Go to a war zone with a camera.
Be willing to go where most photographers wont.