The Tao of War Photography

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<p>Veteran <a href=”http://brucehaleypictures.com/” target=”_blank”>photojournalist Bruce Haley</a> has seen the worst of us. He’s covered conflicts stretching back to the Afghan battle against the Soviet Union. Ten years ago, he wrote something he called <a href=”https://www.utne.com/media/the-tao-of-war-photography-by-bruce-haley.aspx” target=”_blank”>The Tao of War Photography</a>. It’s part training manual and part memoir. It’s mostly tragic and it’s a little bit hilarious. Here are some highlights and a few of Haley’s photographs (or <a href=”https://www.utne.com/media/the-tao-of-war-photography-by-bruce-haley.aspx” target=”_blank”>read The Tao of War Photography</a> in its entirety):</p>
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<em>Photo: National Liberation Army guerrilla fighter; Burma</em>
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<p>”To begin with, practice this sentence: ‘If I get out of here alive, I’ll never do this again.'</p>
<p>”…The editors of the major magazines really don’t give a rat’s ass about the latest war and famine in the hinterlands of East BurkinaTimorLanka. You’ll never get an assignment to cover this unless Leonardo DiCaprio becomes a rebel commander and Tommy Hilfiger designs his battle fatigues.</p>
<p>”…Absent Leo and Tommy, a few murdered white tourists will cause a temporary blip on the radar screen. Or not.</p>
<p>”…It is said that sudden fright causes people to soil themselves. I have noticed that sustained fright causes increased flatulence: fear-farting. I have also seen Afghan mujahideen run out into a heavy rain of incoming artillery rather than shelter in a small crevice with two fear-farting Western journalists.</p>
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<em>Photo: Terrified women shelter in a ditch, after being caught out in the open during an artillery barrage; Croatia</em>
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<p>”…Do you believe in a personal, loving God who really cares about us mortals down here? Go to a few war zones and famine areas and watch all those innocent children die, then answer this question.</p>
<p>”…On the flipside of #11: many of the people who have actually suffered through such hardships show the greatest faith I’ve ever encountered on the planet. Go figure.</p>
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<em>Photo: Guerrilla fighters near the Andaman Sea; Burma</em>
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<p>”…Equation: the number of journalists covering any given conflict is directly proportional to the proximity of comfortable lodging and booze.</p>
<p>”…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 and you can leave–they can’t.”</p>
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<p>For more of Haley’s fantastic photos, which extend well beyond war zones, visit his <a href=”http://brucehaleypictures.com/” target=”_blank”>BruceHaleyPictures.com</a>.</p>
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<em>Images by Bruce Haley.</em>
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