Description
Object description
British NCO photographer served with Royal Army Ordnance Corps in GB and various places, 1979-1999; officer served with Media Operations in GB and various places, 2001-2004 including in Iraq, 2003; civilian with AMAR in Iraq, Pakistan and Lebanon, 2005-2006
Content description
REEL 1 Background to becoming army photography in GB, 1979: reason for move from South Africa to GB; life in GB; joining of army as boy soldier; question of early interest in photography; details of Parachute Vigilance Platoon at Aldershot including anti-tank weapons used and training received; photography undertaken while with Parachute Regiment including business set up; background to taking photography course including importance of Steve Slater and prior postings with Parachute Regiment. Aspects of period as NCO with School of Photography at RAF Cosford in GB, 1979: process of selection for photography including course undertaken at RAF Cosford and memories of instructors; accommodation at School of Photography including background of students; details of theoretical first phase of training; description of training and instructors; assessments.
REEL 2 Continues: training in photographing architecture including Micro Precision Products cameras used; study of sensitometry; training in studio work including introduction of flashes; sport photography including memories of instructor; training in colour film and portraiture including memories of instructors; training in cine film; system of posting photographers; details of photographic units; knowledge of Army Film and Photographic Unit; lectures from outside photographers; opinion of training received; opinion of photography as an art form; question of inspiration from photographers. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Army Ordnance Corps in GB and various places, 1979-1999: details of first postings; need to be master of all trades.
REEL 3 Continues: details of posting in Cyprus with Military Public Information Officer recording work of units and events in buffer zone, 1986-1988; opinion of army recruitment of photographers; methods of gaining further training; disadvantages of army system for photographers; supply of equipment including film and cameras; introduction and use of local purchase budgets; details of posting with School of Army Aviation at Middle Wallop, 1992-1996, including period in Bosnia; release of photographs to Imperial War Museum; personal photographs taken during service; importance of photography in life; further details of posting in Plotce, Bosnia; posting to and duties at RAF Cosford.
REEL 4 Continues: changes in army photography training during service; introduction and discussion of digital photography; methods of working before and after start of digital photography including coverage of 2005 Kashmir earthquake; changes to content of kit bag since the introduction of digital; use of digital cameras; opinion of photographic coverage of 1991 Gulf War and 1982 Falklands War; departure from army, 1999; freelance civilian work and family; background to joining Media Operations. Aspects of period as officer with Media Operations in GB and various places, 2001-2003: details of position; colleagues; opinion of unit; work undertaken including in Belize; involvement in first solely digital deployment in Oman including work of Peter Briscoe.
REEL 5 Continues: role in Oman and Iraq including description of Simpress exercises; mobilisation for 2003 Iraq War and decision to go; pattern of training with Green Jackets at Chilwell; posting as press escort to 7th Armoured Brigade in Hannover and work with media including attitude of troops leaving for Kuwait; leisure activities. Aspects of operations as officer with Media Operations attached to 7th Armoured Brigade in Kuwait and Iraq, 3/2003: phone calls received from former colleague Chris Andrew and story of reunion with him including health problems; role in Iraq; crossing of border including photographs taken; activities of troops during advance; details of Media Operations presence; frustration at lack of coverage allowed; background to witnessing of fighting at Basra power station; opposition encountered; photography undertaken.
REEL 6 Continues: scenes on arrival in Basra and photographs taken; relationship with troops; establishment of link with laptop; return to and details of brigade headquarters including in 2010; media presence; work of brigade padre in local community; photographs taken in Basra; work with unit including sending work to GB; copyright of work; work of Imperial War Museum's Hilary Roberts; opinion of Falklands War photographic coverage; description of production of 2004 book The Fight for Iraq January-June 2003 including support from Army Benevolent Fund.
REEL 7 Continues: departure from Territorial Army; civilian work after return from Iraq; impressions of Iraq and desire to return; background to gaining work with AMAR. Aspects of period as photographer with AMAR in GB, Iraq, Pakistan and Lebanon, 2005-2006: work of AMAR; Baroness Nicholson's use of photographs taken; adoption of Iranian child by Baroness Nicholson; details of work undertaken and AMAR's staff; work with Marsh Arabs in Iraq including provision of medical facilities and training, details of connected Women Health Volunteers; education provided by AMAR including in democratic processes; corruption in Iraq and legacy of Saddam Hussein's government; funding from GB and Iraq.
REEL 8 Continues: photography work for AMAR; risks while working in Iraq; safety in Basra; involvement of AMAR in Lebanon; work undertaken by AMAR following 2005 Kashmir earthquake; arrival in Lebanon, 2006; activities around country including scenes of devastation and photographs taken; activities of Hezbollah; neutrality of AMAR; details of Israeli activities in different areas; discussion of sensitivity required in work; setting-up of pictures; charitable work with Eastern European children; civilian work in museum and archive digitisation.