Post by The Thought Police (admin) on Feb 25, 2013 5:44:19 GMT -5
These five children ran towards me, screeching in agony, their clothes burned into their skin, I wanted to help, but I had to stand back and capture this real life horror. This was a day that I would never, ever forget. Back in 1960, i was a young pup, being a photographer; I was entriged to be involved in war photography, at the age of 20. I wanted to show the world what it was like, what actually went on in war.
2 Years Later, my friend William and I aged 22, got into war photography; we trained for three years, having no time with our families or friends. We learned things I though I would never need to know or do but I still learned everything. Being 25 and going into a setting you had only heard and dreamed of was mesmerising, I was scared, scared of death ; scared of pain, scared incase I never see my friends and family again, but I knew me and William, could make a difference, with one item. A camera. It was 1965; William and I were ready, ready to take our lives into a whole new world.
It was the first day, we were on the helicopter, me and William were accompanied by 4 different people, 2 other males and a female and the pilot, I was looking out the small foggy window, I closed the old ragged blind, closing my eyes, I thought about the risk I have put myself in. We had finally landed. Greeted by lots of large husky, male soldiers, other photographers, now I felt little more at ease. The fact I wasn’t alone and they were doing the same as me. Shaking everyone’s hand, and thinking to myself. ‘What have I done, I don’t belong here.’
Later after we met everyone, we were escorted to the small cabin we were staying in, 5 beds, a small fridge, a desk and a lamp. Along with William and 3 other people i was on the helicopter with. None of us really spoke. Everyone was busy writing letters, sleeping or organising all their things. I and William were next to each other. We both were just going to make something to eat, when the door knocked. Two big soldiers came and picked us up in a camouflage van, we were dropped off at a large meeting, held in a large tent. We were there for at least, 3 hours. Being lectured about the dangers, and things we should be aware of. Everything rushed through my mind; dangers and consequences.
We were driven back to our cabins, We all settled in, I made everyone some tea and a slice of toast, wasn’t much, but it filled us up I suppose.
2 Years Later, my friend William and I aged 22, got into war photography; we trained for three years, having no time with our families or friends. We learned things I though I would never need to know or do but I still learned everything. Being 25 and going into a setting you had only heard and dreamed of was mesmerising, I was scared, scared of death ; scared of pain, scared incase I never see my friends and family again, but I knew me and William, could make a difference, with one item. A camera. It was 1965; William and I were ready, ready to take our lives into a whole new world.
It was the first day, we were on the helicopter, me and William were accompanied by 4 different people, 2 other males and a female and the pilot, I was looking out the small foggy window, I closed the old ragged blind, closing my eyes, I thought about the risk I have put myself in. We had finally landed. Greeted by lots of large husky, male soldiers, other photographers, now I felt little more at ease. The fact I wasn’t alone and they were doing the same as me. Shaking everyone’s hand, and thinking to myself. ‘What have I done, I don’t belong here.’
Later after we met everyone, we were escorted to the small cabin we were staying in, 5 beds, a small fridge, a desk and a lamp. Along with William and 3 other people i was on the helicopter with. None of us really spoke. Everyone was busy writing letters, sleeping or organising all their things. I and William were next to each other. We both were just going to make something to eat, when the door knocked. Two big soldiers came and picked us up in a camouflage van, we were dropped off at a large meeting, held in a large tent. We were there for at least, 3 hours. Being lectured about the dangers, and things we should be aware of. Everything rushed through my mind; dangers and consequences.
We were driven back to our cabins, We all settled in, I made everyone some tea and a slice of toast, wasn’t much, but it filled us up I suppose.