November 22, 2009
UTNE READER

The Tao of War Photography

(Page 6 of 6)

March 2009
by Bruce Haley 
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59. You know in the Hollywood war movies where soldiers hear that high-pitched whistle and yell “INCOMING!!!” and take cover and save themselves and their entire platoon? It’s bullshit. Many is the time that I’ve had stuff come in practically on top of me and the only thing I ever heard was the goddamn explosion when it landed.

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60. The statement in #59 has been field-tested by a somewhat wide variety of types and sizes of indirect fire, including mortars, tanks, field artillery pieces and multiple-tube rocket launchers... the end result of all this testing is that whenever someone asks me a question, my first response is usually “Huh? Can you speak up?”

61. Yes, those really are gruesome hacked-up snake parts in that big glass of homebrew you’re expected to chug down, and YES, your hosts will be extremely dishonored and upset if you try to weasel out of it (or if they catch you dumping it under the table when they look away). Quit being such a pussy and just drink the damn thing.

62. The manner in which shrapnel selects its victims is one of the true Mysteries of the Universe. The guy next to you can be taken out by a piece the size of dime, and you're untouched.

63. Always keep in mind the following when you photograph people in war zones and other awful places:

  1. You’re there because you want to be—they aren’t.
  2. You can leave—they can’t.

64. And a few more:

  1. 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.
  2. Keep your sense of humor intact, even if it is a black one.
  3. Laugh at yourself.
  4. Truly give a damn about the world.
  5. Be humble.
  6. Peace.

For more, visit BruceHaleyPictures.com. Reprinted with permission of the author.

 

 

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