Rallying Support
Posted: 1/1/2011 | By: E&P Staff
In an age where the world is only a click away, it is sometimes easy to forget the people who bring that world to us. Photojournalists, especially war photographers, risk their lives to bring to life important and often destructive events as they unfold; helping to make us aware of the harsh realities lived by others around the globe.
On Oct. 23, João Silva, a contract photographer with The New York Times, was on assignment entrenched in Afghanistan near the village of Deh-e Kuchay, where a platoon of soldiers was based at Combat Outpost Brunkhorst. As he followed literally in the footsteps of soldiers sweeping the area for roadside bombs, he stepped on a mine. Remarkably, he remained conscious and lucid enough to ask for his camera and continue to take photos from the ground as soldiers hurried to get him to safety. Silva was eventually moved to the Walter Reed Medical Center. As a consequence of the blast, he lost both his legs below the knee and suffered other internal injuries.
Friends and others have set up a tribute website, joaosilva.photoshelter.com, to share Silva’s images and to help raise money for his treatment. Visitors may make a donation or purchase a print of
his work.
Silva has spent the past 20 years capturing images from war-torn countries. He lived in South Africa during the violent birth of democracy and election of Nelson Mandela. As a member of the now famous Bang-Bang Club, he shot harrowing images of violence from the apartheid era.
“João Silva is the most talented and courageous contemporary conflict photographer, bar none. He has a penchant for danger and risk, but is never reckless. Especially not in the many war zones he covers,” wrote fellow Bang-Bang Club member and longtime friend Greg Marinovich on his website.
Silva has captured photos from the Middle East conflicts for the better part of the last decade and has followed on the heels of combat troops through gunfire and explosions. He was present during the American invasion of Sadr City, a suburb of Baghdad, and his images give us a glimpse of the war that was a regular installment in our daily news.
“João is one of the most honest and dedicated photographers I have ever met, yet his frames also have such a subtle sense of artistry and grace,” Marinovich said. “What I and many others who have worked with him love about him is his unfailing humor and humanity, and he is the best colleague to work with.”
On Oct. 23, João Silva, a contract photographer with The New York Times, was on assignment entrenched in Afghanistan near the village of Deh-e Kuchay, where a platoon of soldiers was based at Combat Outpost Brunkhorst. As he followed literally in the footsteps of soldiers sweeping the area for roadside bombs, he stepped on a mine. Remarkably, he remained conscious and lucid enough to ask for his camera and continue to take photos from the ground as soldiers hurried to get him to safety. Silva was eventually moved to the Walter Reed Medical Center. As a consequence of the blast, he lost both his legs below the knee and suffered other internal injuries.
Friends and others have set up a tribute website, joaosilva.photoshelter.com, to share Silva’s images and to help raise money for his treatment. Visitors may make a donation or purchase a print of
his work.
Silva has spent the past 20 years capturing images from war-torn countries. He lived in South Africa during the violent birth of democracy and election of Nelson Mandela. As a member of the now famous Bang-Bang Club, he shot harrowing images of violence from the apartheid era.
“João Silva is the most talented and courageous contemporary conflict photographer, bar none. He has a penchant for danger and risk, but is never reckless. Especially not in the many war zones he covers,” wrote fellow Bang-Bang Club member and longtime friend Greg Marinovich on his website.
Silva has captured photos from the Middle East conflicts for the better part of the last decade and has followed on the heels of combat troops through gunfire and explosions. He was present during the American invasion of Sadr City, a suburb of Baghdad, and his images give us a glimpse of the war that was a regular installment in our daily news.
“João is one of the most honest and dedicated photographers I have ever met, yet his frames also have such a subtle sense of artistry and grace,” Marinovich said. “What I and many others who have worked with him love about him is his unfailing humor and humanity, and he is the best colleague to work with.”