Mofe (OH4) reflects on a powerful Seminar by war photographer Rick Findler
War photographer and photojournalist Rick Findler gave a fascinating talk to the Lower Sixth as part of our Seminar programme.
Reflection by Mofe (OH4)
It had never really occurred to me what it meant to be a war photographer until Tuesday’s Seminar with Rick Findler. It was a thought-provoking talk which gave an insight into the realities of war, and the struggles that even those who document it face.
Of the many stories Rick shared, one left me with a lasting impression. During the Syrian civil war, a group of civilians had constructed a makeshift slingshot, as well as homemade grenades to combat the ISIS fighters positioned on the other side of the wall. They used the slingshot to launch the grenades which sometimes bounced back, forcing them to react quickly and run out of the way. Once they ran out of grenades, they resorted to launching large pieces of concrete over the wall. This story resonated with me because it highlighted how the civilians improvised, using whatever they could in their extraordinarily dire situation. What I found most remarkable was the fact that they had been forced into circumstances where something as simple as a makeshift slingshot became their means of survival.
It was inspiring to learn about the lengths Rick went to to represent different sides of a conflict as accurately as possible, and the difficulties he faced when news outlets declined to publish stories he considered significant. I had assumed that capturing something important was enough to ensure that its story would reach the public. However, Rick’s experiences challenged this assumption, revealing the impact a photograph has depends not only on the photographer, but also on the willingness of others to share it.
When I asked Rick whether he had ever questioned his career choice in near-death-experiences, his answer surprised me. He explained that in these situations, he had to focus on his purpose and take the photographs to the best of his ability, rather than allowing fear to overwhelm and put him at greater risk. This made me appreciate the level of composure required to document such dangerous situations, and his determination to continue despite the risks involved.
The Seminar deepened my appreciation of the risks war photographers take and the responsibility they carry in bringing the realities of war to public attention.
