November 22, 2009
UTNE READER

The Tao of War Photography

(Page 3 of 3)

July-August 2009
text and photos by Bruce Haley 
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19 No matter how good you think you are at “holding it,” amoebic dysentery always wins.

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20 Never wear shorts when you’re afflicted with amoebic dysentery. At least with long pants on, no one will see that telltale bright-red trickle running down your leg until it hits your shoes.

21 While we’re on the subject of shorts, also never wear them when you are riding an Asian elephant. Between the murderous razor-blade hair and the infernal cloud of biting flies that are constantly swarming the poor beast, you will think you are in one of Dante’s circles of hell.

22 Back to war: If you have become adept at dodging unwanted social invitations back home, apply this skill when you are asked along on a kamikaze mission with ill-equipped teenage soldiers who are hopelessly outnumbered.

23 The downside to the advice in #22 is that you generally don’t realize that you’ve tagged along on a kamikaze mission until things truly turn to shit and you can’t get the hell out because you’re pinned down. Now is a good time to refer back to #1.

24 Also: If the soldiers you are accompanying believe that to die a martyr’s death admits them to paradise, while you believe that to die a war photographer’s death probably just hurts a lot, this difference should give you pause for reflection.

25 Always keep in mind the following when you photograph people in war zones and other awful places: You’re there because you want to be—they aren’t.

You can leave—they can’t.

26 And a few more:
Keep up and hump your own gear. People in war zones, believe it or not, have other concerns besides carrying your shit for you and waiting for you to catch up . . .

Keep your sense of humor intact, even if it is a black one . . .

Laugh at yourself . . .

Truly give a damn about the world . . .

Be humble . . .

Peace.

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