Conflict Photography Workshop

[Eddzz!!]

I have always found conflict photography especially fascinating and is something I take a professional interest in. I for one would never venture into a conflict zone without the appropriate training, which is something that is not readily available to photographers. .

Cue Jason Howe, a well regarded conflict photographer. He has set up a workshop of 6 days up in the hills of Andalusia in southern Spain. It looks like they go through a lot basic military training, how to survive in conflict zone, etc...

The workshop is this November and you need to apply for the workshop at least one month in advance. The total cost is €1500. All accommodation and food/drink is included in the price. If you're interested I strongly recommend you check it out. If it weren't for the cost I'd be straight out there:

http://www.conflictphotographyworkshops.com/

 

[st599]

I have always found conflict photography especially fascinating and is something I take a professional interest in. I for one would never venture into a conflict zone without the appropriate training, which is something that is not readily available to photographers. .

Cue Jason Howe, a well regarded conflict photographer. He has set up a workshop of 6 days up in the hills of Andalusia in southern Spain. It looks like they go through a lot basic military training, how to survive in conflict zone, etc...

The workshop is this November and you need to apply for the workshop at least one month in advance. The total cost is €1500. All accommodation and food/drink is included in the price. If you're interested I strongly recommend you check it out. If it weren't for the cost I'd be straight out there:

http://www.conflictphotographyworkshops.com/

There are loads of courses out there - but they're not cheap.

http://en.rsf.org/journalists-in-conflict-zones-22-04-2013,44418.html
http://www.bluedotsafety.com/
http://www.ebu.ch/en/hr_training/training/journalism/index.php
http://www.centurionsafety.net/About/Centurion_in_the_Media/Hostile_Environment_Training_101.html
http://www.objectivetravelsafety.com/hostile-environment-safety-courses
http://www.redr.org.uk/en/Training-and-more/find-a-training-course.cfm/url/PSHMAR14
http://www.akegroup.com/training/hostile-environment-training/

 

[supersammy]

I have always found conflict photography especially fascinating and is something I take a professional interest in. I for one would never venture into a conflict zone without the appropriate training, which is something that is not readily available to photographers. .

Cue Jason Howe, a well regarded conflict photographer. He has set up a workshop of 6 days up in the hills of Andalusia in southern Spain. It looks like they go through a lot basic military training, how to survive in conflict zone, etc...

The workshop is this November and you need to apply for the workshop at least one month in advance. The total cost is €1500. All accommodation and food/drink is included in the price. If you're interested I strongly recommend you check it out. If it weren't for the cost I'd be straight out there:

http://www.conflictphotographyworkshops.com/

You won't learn enough in 6 days to survive in a conflict zone. You might pic up bits and bobs but you would not want to risk your life on it. Regular soldiers do not have the skills to survive on their own. Thats why they have support and work in teams.

Unless you are going as a tag along with the/a armed forces do not consider it. Carrying expensive stuff around in a modern war zone, being a westerner is suicidal.

 

[andy1868]

There was a thread on here linking to a chap that had written a diary of his experiences in Iraq in 2003ish. An excellent read for anyone interested. Army basic training is 28 weeks isn't it? I'd want more than 6 days before putting myself in a warzone!

 

[big soft moose]

Most of army basic training is about using the weaponry and skills and drills - it'd be completely irrelevant to a photographer.

That said I agree the training guy is taking the pee , if you're going to be embedded with forces (and lets face it you don't get that kind of assignment by being a wannabe) you don't need it, and if you are thinking of going out on your own then it probably won't help you anyway.

I don't doubt that the instructors are seriously experienced guys, but how much of that can they realistically pass on in 6 days

 

[supersammy]

Most of army basic training is about using the weaponry and skills and drills - it'd be completely irrelevant to a photographer.

That said I agree the training guy is taking the pee , if you're going to be embedded with forces (and lets face it you don't get that kind of assignment by being a wannabe) you don't need it, and if you are thinking of going out on your own then it probably won't help you anyway.

I don't doubt that the instructors are seriously experienced guys, but how much of that can they realistically pass on in 6 days

What you said. I am guessing here but am assuming that it's more health and safety training for professionals who are going out with a regiment, or with a friendly foreign force.

 

[big soft moose]

according to the blurb it covers stuff like IED awareness

for an embed that would be a piece of **** boiling down to do what you're told and if someone says 'get the **** down' don't stand around saying "what ? "

mind you for anyone travelling free lance its still a piece of **** - don't pick anything up , open any doors, driving solo go as fast as the roads allow, if at all possible travel with a convoy (in the middle or at least at the rear), and if all the local traffic disappears hit a you turn and **** off sharpish. (for preference don't go outside the safe areas at all - but if you're going to do that you may as well stay at home)

 

[formula400]

There was a thread on here linking to a chap that had written a diary of his experiences in Iraq in 2003ish. An excellent read for anyone interested. Army basic training is 28 weeks isn't it? I'd want more than 6 days before putting myself in a warzone!

i love to see this link

 

[supersammy]

i love to see this link

So would I.

But be in no doubt. If you decide to get a ticket to Syria or somewhere else volatile with no experience, contacts or support. Make it a one way ticket. As you will not be coming back.

 

[big soft moose]

yep , that - modern conflicts are not like say Vietnam , where you could rock up in Saigon or Hanoi with no real idea what you were doing and be moderately safe

if you are thinking of trying that in Kabul or Damascus you could save yourself a lot of time by taking your orange overalls with you

 

[simonblue]

Just a big con to get your money

 

[supersammy]

Just a big con to get your money

No it's not.

It's a course which you take so your employers can claim you had training like many courses you do at work. It's also probably demanded by the mod you have done some training before being considered. They will hold your hand and look after you, but it helps if you know basic drills in the event of a contact.

 

[simonblue]

So would I.

But be in no doubt. If you decide to get a ticket to Syria or somewhere else volatile with no experience, contacts or support. Make it a one way ticket. As you will not be coming back.

Your right but theses people just pray on gullible people :nono:

 

[simonblue]

No it's not.

It's a course which you take so your employers can claim you had training like many courses you do at work. It's also probably demanded by the mod you have done some training before being considered. They will hold your hand and look after you, but it helps if you know basic drills in the event of a contact.

Who your employee,most conflict are covered by local theses days,the days of major papers sending in photographer to cover wars are over,and if you can pick up an commission say from mag or paper the changes are they will go with a we'll know pro,not somebody who been on a 6 day course.

 

[supersammy]

Who your employee,most conflict are covered by local theses days,the days of major papers sending in photographer to cover wars are over,and if you can pick up an commission say from mag or paper the changes are they will go with a we'll know pro,not somebody who been on a 6 day course.

I know you have probably written this on the phone, but I can't understand a lot of it.

I have never said that the bbc or the gaurdian are going to pick someone of flickr, send them on this course and then put them on a plane to afghan. Well known professionals are not born, they gain experience and get the title. For every news report on the evening news there are many blokes doing a job on the ground you will never hear off.

 

[big soft moose]

true - but they won't gain much experience from 6 days in andalucia - I also strongly doubt the MOD requires this training for embeds as I suspect they'd want training to be delivered by soldiers , or at least security professionals rather than journalists.

If you were going to one of these places as anything other than an embed, your best bet for staying in one piece would be to hire someone from blackwater, triple canopy, watchguard etc (many others) to look after you - not to spend 6 days running round in spain pretending to be in a war zone

 

[supersammy]

true - but they won't gain much experience from 6 days in andalucia - I also strongly doubt the MOD requires this training for embeds as I suspect they'd want training to be delivered by soldiers , or at least security professionals rather than journalists.

If you were going to one of these places as anything other than an embed, your best bet for staying in one piece would be to hire someone from blackwater, triple canopy, watchguard etc (many others) to look after you - not to spend 6 days running round in spain pretending to be in a war zone

I agree with you. Everything you have said. However the mod are a big organisation in which boxes have to be ticked. Whilst this course is maybe not it, you would not get past paperwork if you could not provide some evidence of competence.

 

[simonblue]

I know you have probably written this on the phone, but I can't understand a lot of it.

I have never said that the bbc or the gaurdian are going to pick someone of flickr, send them on this course and then put them on a plane to afghan. Well known professionals are not born, they gain experience and get the title. For every news report on the evening news there are many blokes doing a job on the ground you will never hear off.

Thats my point,most conflicts theses days are cover by locals not by outsider,they wouldn't have been anywhere near a course.

So you take your 6 day course,then who going to employ you to go ?,and what the hell are they going to teach you about war in 6 days

Look i have been to a few conflicts zones in my time,and its nothing like you think it is ever.

 

[supersammy]

Thats my point,most conflicts theses days are cover by locals not by outsider,they wouldn't have been anywhere near a course.

So you take your 6 day course,then who going to employ you to go ?,and what the hell are they going to teach you about war in 6 days

Look i have been to a few conflicts zones in my time,and its nothing like you think it is ever.

I have said from the beginning it won't teach you how to operate I'm a war zone. I've said a course like this is designed for someone already employed. In the same way as you have to do matts to demonstrate competence.

I view it the same way as you cannot learn values and standards from a PowerPoint. You still have to do it to tick the box.

 

[big soft moose]

I have said from the beginning it won't teach you how to operate I'm a war zone. I've said a course like this is designed for someone already employed. In the same way as you have to do matts to demonstrate competence.
.

that doesn't seem to be how they are marketing it

This workshop will not ‘qualify’ you to work in a conflict zone nor are we actively encouraging people to enter dangerous situations

personally i'd say it is aimed at people with far more money than sense who want to play at being a combat photographer, but never actually get closer to a battlefield than their xbox

 

[Flightphoto]

Having served in the forces, it's not something I would recommend

You'll find that getting a camera out is 10%, the rest is about handling the situation, crapping yourself, missing your family, wishing you didn't sign your name on the application, finding out who of your friends had been lost on the front line and then once you've overcome that, then you have to try and get the camera out.
My advice would be to completely give up on the idea and think about what's more important in life (this is just from experience and my opinion but I'm sure that the others on this forum who have also done time on the front line will agree)

 

[DemiLion]

I have always found conflict photography especially fascinating and is something I take a professional interest in. I for one would never venture into a conflict zone without the appropriate training, which is something that is not readily available to photographers. .

Cue Jason Howe, a well regarded conflict photographer. He has set up a workshop of 6 days up in the hills of Andalusia in southern Spain. It looks like they go through a lot basic military training, how to survive in conflict zone, etc...

The workshop is this November and you need to apply for the workshop at least one month in advance. The total cost is €1500. All accommodation and food/drink is included in the price. If you're interested I strongly recommend you check it out. If it weren't for the cost I'd be straight out there:

http://www.conflictphotographyworkshops.com/

I wouldn't touch that course with a barge pole. It's designed for tourists and wannabes.

Firstly it's waaaay too cheap.

Secondly -portfolio review...WTF??? Who wants a port review during HET?

Thirdly it doesn't come anywhere close to providing enough med training.


The MoD require all embedded journalists to have completed a recognised HET/HEAT course, which is generally about five days long and averages out at about five hundred to a grand a day in costs.

If anyone is really interested in taking a course I'd recommend reading the info available on the Rory Peck Trust website, including a list of approved training providers.

 

[Flightphoto]

If I remember correctly, all equipment and life insurance is void due to being in a zone of conflict aswell so I think it's better to leave it to the pros in this line of work

 

[jon ryan]

For Walts and posers. To check, send them ten crap photos - or no photos at all - tell them you're happy to pay, and see if they accept you.

 

[simonblue]

If I remember correctly, all equipment and life insurance is void due to being in a zone of conflict aswell so I think it's better to leave it to the pros in this line of work

Thats right nobody will touch you,all you can hope is that if your working for somebody they just maybe able to get you out,if your working on spec your b****r.

 

[simonblue]

Having served in the forces, it's not something I would recommend

You'll find that getting a camera out is 10%, the rest is about handling the situation, crapping yourself, missing your family, wishing you didn't sign your name on the application, finding out who of your friends had been lost on the front line and then once you've overcome that, then you have to try and get the camera out.
My advice would be to completely give up on the idea and think about what's more important in life (this is just from experience and my opinion but I'm sure that the others on this forum who have also done time on the front line will agree)

And sitting in an hotel room with the ***** so bad you can hardly move,just wishing there was a button you could press that would just get you home that instant.
Or a case of Malaria laying on the bed and the whole room is just moving,and all you can hear is people muttering around you in a language you can't understand.

 

[st599]

Thats right nobody will touch you,all you can hope is that if your working for somebody they just maybe able to get you out,if your working on spec your b****r.

A lot of the big companies self-insure anyway. So they'd just take a small hit on working capital.

 

[Eddzz!!]

For the record, I never said I would head into a war-zone, alone, with only 6 days training... I'm not mental

[EDIT] Actually, yes I did - in my final line. I think that could have been phrased better! I meant: "If I had the money, I would gladly go for the training.", but there's no way I'd venture into a conflict zone with only six days of experience. Absolutely not.

 

[Flightphoto]

Don't worry Eddy, I fully understood what you meant

I was just making a point that being in a warzone is bad enough and it's something I would never do again, I always end up having a rant if anyone mentions war though

 

[ghoti]

that doesn't seem to be how they are marketing it

personally i'd say it is aimed at people with far more money than sense who want to play at being a combat photographer, but never actually get closer to a battlefield than their xbox

This. And if they marketed it like that it'd be fine. A photography hard-man fantasy holiday. Nothing wrong with that in principle. Even sounds sort of like fun.
But hawking it as real experience? They're taking the **** out of their customers.

 

[st599]

Just checked with a contact at the BBC, there course is 5 days. After which you could join an overseas team as a junior.

However, the bigger problem is companies using images from people with know experience and no training. This is what the scheme A Day Without News is trying to highlight.

 

[Circuit Hero]

I have to say, I don't really see the issue with this. It's an awareness course, nothing more. You can spend all the time you want looking at powerpoint pictures of bodies blown apart by IEDs and having some bloke drone on about what will happen in a contact if you like, but any force you're embedded with will view you as a liability and won't let you anywhere near a casualty if you're unlucky enough to be near one when the worst happens. Photographers have gone into conflict zones for decades. Some survive, some don't. Those rules apply no matter how much training you've done.

What I would say is that it's not the guts and glory job some perceive. You're opening yourself up for some harrowing sights and location-depending you could be embedded with some particularly nasty people. It's certainly a job I wouldn't do as a civilian. I've been told some horrendous first-hand accounts of watching people be raped, tortured and killed while having to pretend you're enjoying yourself with some psychopath you're trying to convince is your best friend to keep you out of harms way. The great thing about doing it in the military is you have the option to put your DSLR down and lace someone with 5.56mm until they stop moving, while being embedded in a team who've probably beat you to pulling the trigger or resolving the situation by other means. All three Services offer jobs as photographers/videographers on both regular and reserve basis. I'd be happy to talk you through any aspects of the job if it's something you're genuinely interested in.

 

[Grizu]

Does anyone have any personnel experience or have knowledge on what the process is to apply as an embedded photographer with the MOD. I have found alot of information on lightstalkers about embedding with U.S. troops and wondered if the MOD use photographers from their own ranks or freelances as well? Its something that has always interested me and now circumstances have evolved that make me want to look a little closer at whats involved in doing this and what initial steps I can start to plan and take.

 

[DT01]

Does anyone have any personnel experience or have knowledge on what the process is to apply as an embedded photographer with the MOD. I have found alot of information on lightstalkers about embedding with U.S. troops and wondered if the MOD use photographers from their own ranks or freelances as well? Its something that has always interested me and now circumstances have evolved that make me want to look a little closer at whats involved in doing this and what initial steps I can start to plan and take.

One of the guys running that course is Martin Middlebrook. He has a monthly feature in Professional Photographer and recently spent a year in Afghanistan having gone out there independently. Judging by the features he wrote, he wasn't standing on the sidelines with a long lens. You might want to check his blog out. http://www.martinmiddlebrook.com/diary.html

 

[DemiLion]

Does anyone have any personnel experience or have knowledge on what the process is to apply as an embedded photographer with the MOD. I have found alot of information on lightstalkers about embedding with U.S. troops and wondered if the MOD use photographers from their own ranks or freelances as well? Its something that has always interested me and now circumstances have evolved that make me want to look a little closer at whats involved in doing this and what initial steps I can start to plan and take.

I hope that you are rather well off. Embedding as a freelancer with the MoD for a six month tour is likely to cost you in excess of £10,000.

 

[Grizu]

That was my question really, what is the process and options available if you wanted to look into this type of assignment? Are most of the photographers in conflict areas freelance or is it viable to look into specific agencies who fund their photographers to be attached to the MOD? I take it you have gone down this route Mark, or are pretty close to people who have?

 

[DemiLion]

For a start, you are pretty much too late when it comes to deploying to AFG with British Forces in an active combat role.


Secondly, you won't get an agency to fund your deployent unless you're employed by them. Likewise with newspapers, although in their case it's more likely to be someone who shifts for them on a regular basis; most titles don't have staffers as such anymore.

Therefore you'd have to self finance. If you are going down the embedded route, you won't cover your costs. At least not unless you are very, very lucky/unlucky.

You could always become a conflict tourist, but again that's expensive, dangerous and not a little stupid if you have no experience of danger zones.

 

[simonblue]

Go on the World press site it will give you some idea of what stories are being cover theses days,who doing the covering and the sorts of shots that are making into the press & mag.

 

[Grizu]

Thanks for the two links, spent sometime having a look around them and found Martin Middlebrook's blog especially informative and humorous at the same time, although I only read the first ten postings. Don't get me wrong, Im not about to hit the local px store here in Saigon, (and there is some great equipment on offer, a little dated though) and hot foot it to Kabul or Damascus, its just something that I would like to look into in greater depth and these two links are a great starting point. Mark, when you mention a sum of ten thousand pounds for a six month embedded deployment, are you talking about the payment just to embed with the mod or a rough figure of what flights, body armour/equip, relevant paper work, etc would cost?

 

[Deleted member 34016]

Having served in the forces, it's not something I would recommend

You'll find that getting a camera out is 10%, the rest is about handling the situation, crapping yourself, missing your family, wishing you didn't sign your name on the application, finding out who of your friends had been lost on the front line and then once you've overcome that, then you have to try and get the camera out.
My advice would be to completely give up on the idea and think about what's more important in life (this is just from experience and my opinion but I'm sure that the others on this forum who have also done time on the front line will agree)

22 years in 2 Para- I agree 100%

waste of time and money these 6 day courses- in a Combat zone your life expectancy would be minimal to say the least

I took my camera to the Falklands and the Gulf- managed few images- spent more time trying not to get shot- bombed - Mined or stabbed

Les