SightPhoto Blog

I had a thought that it would be interesting to see what photographs soldiers returning from Iraq brought with them. Not the kind that has been in the news, documents of abuse of prisoners. Just the insider's look, showing the less dramatic aspects of the soldier's life. Perhaps I had in mind Jim Hubbard's acclaimed Shooting Back project, in which he taught homeless children how to show their own lives through photography, which made for some great, insightful photographs.

Well, it turns out that the Washington Post has indeed asked for submissions from soldiers and has posted an initial gallery of the results. (A free membership is required to view the site). Frankly, the photographs are often just snapshots of people grinning at the camera, but the overall effect is to give the viewer a feel for the texture of everyday life there. Occasional photographs depict more tense moments, such as when soliders are dismanteling booby-traps or questioning potential enemy. But, we shouldn't expect that soldiers would be snapping away during a firefight, or even to be documenting the more horrific outcomes of a day's work.

So it is with interest that I read an article in Editor and Publisher, a newspaper industry trade magazine, that recounts that the photographs have actually created some controversy. It appears some readers think the photos were selected to create good feelings about the military engagement and serve to gloss over the true nature of the war.

I am by no means an advocate of the war, but I find it difficult to understand why some readers would think that average soldiers would have the capacity or interest to take more than snapshots of their daily lives -- or would think it a good idea to submit photos that verged anywhere near potential trouble for themselves or comrades. And certainly the Post could only work with what was sent to them; I just don't see a conspiracy there.