Video: War photographers reveal the long-term trauma of their difficult profession
- Text by Adam White
- Photography by Donna Ferrato
“A death unrecorded is a death forgotten.” These are the words of Joao Silva, one of six conflict photographers chronicled in a six-part series of documentary shorts, Conflict. It’s the latest work by New York-based production house Redfitz Films, designed as a series of monologues by prolific photographers of different forms of conflict.
The films explore the harrowing psychological toll conflict takes on those who feel a responsibility to shoot it, and their varying responses to whether photographing scenes of war and violence have had any real power.
Silva talks of the personal cost of his experiences as part of the Bang-Bang Club, the photographer collective that documented the very end of Apartheid in early ’90s South Africa. Photojournalist Pete Muller describes his process, Donna Ferrato explains how a chance documentation inside an abusive home led to a career photographing domestic violence, and Robin Hammond talks of the horrors he has witnessed while chronicling the thousands of victims of rape in the Congo. The three speak of the value of conflict photography, and the need to educate the Western world about violence that would otherwise go ignored.
But photographers Nicole Tung and Eros Haogland come at their profession differently. Tung speaks through tears as she recalls her experiences photographing the conflicts in Syria alongside the late James Foley, killed by ISIS militants in 2014. “I have this privilege to see humanity at its best and worst and everything in between,” she says. “But I don’t think doing this is ever worth your life.” Haogland echoes similar sentiments, recalling the many friends and family he has lost while photographing the drug wars and political corruption in Mexico, and pondering the usefulness of his profession. “My pictures don’t speak, they whisper.”
Provocative, unflinching and cinematic, Conflict is available to watch in its entirety at Redfitz.com
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Jesse Glazzard’s messy portrait of queer friends, lovers and chosen family
The Sound of Dirt and Beauty — The photographer’s debut monograph explores tender, unpolished moments shaped by the people who he surrounds himself with, while offering a window into the UK’s working-class LGBTQ+ community.
Written by: Sunny Sunday
Behind the curtain at Alternative Miss World 1981
Olympia glamour — Running a subversive take on the traditional beauty pageant, the Andrew Logan organised event prioritised underground creativity and invention. Photographer David Corio went behind the scenes at its biggest edition.
Written by: Miss Rosen
New exhibition highlights British radical living over 200 years
Earthly Paradise — Taking place at the William Morris Gallery, it explores the homes and lives of artists, writers, musicians and more, as well as the conditions that allowed them to thrive.
Written by: Isaac Muk
What life on the Strait of Hormuz is really like
Southern Winds — Bandar Abbas based photographer Morteza Niknahad has been capturing the diverse communities and stories of his local region since he first picked up a camera. His new series highlights the human impact of war.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Nick Haymes’s intimate portrait of his family’s life
Chronograph — Over 25 years, the photographer documented his son’s lives as they grew into adults. The resulting photobook is an exploration of the passage of time, as well as the optimism of youth.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Kristina Rozhkova’s scatty, confronting portrait of captivity
Gut Feeling — The Russian artist’s 2024 arrest and subsequent detention opened her eye towards the omnipresent dynamics of power and control. Her new photobook is a stark exploration of being trapped.
Written by: Isaac Muk
