ASIAN Geographic Magazine - Issue 8 2013

In this issue

My camera is a tool. It allows me to show the world what people struggle and suffer through on a daily basis, in hopes that things may someday change. Photographs allow us to empathise with our fellow human beings, and empathy is the first step towards building a better world for all of us to live in. War is cruel and those who have experienced it have seen it turn people into animals. We have seen the pain it brings, how it ruins lives, destroys cities and turns young children into hardened adults. As photographers, we are motivated by what we see and we hope our images will motivate others to stand up against politicians, corporations and anyone that sees war as an answer to any question. War photography is painful, difficult, uncomfortable and something that never leaves you. Once you have seen the things we see, you cannot un-see them. It is not a job or a career; it is something we believe in, something that must be done. We pay a personal price for the work we do, and our families, friends and loved ones pay as well. It is not glamorous or romantic like many people think it is. We document people’s suffering in hopes that they not suffer in vain. We feel a strong sense of loyalty and obligation to our subjects and our mission. Many war photographers have said that they hope to someday take a photo that will end all wars. I don’t think that such a thing is possible, but I do hope that all war photographers working together can help to make war something...