Iraq

Finally getting to upload some of my personal photos from Iraq. Didn't get to shoot as much for myself as I had wanted. Many many many rules there. Between shooting my assignment and the fact that most people there do not want to be photographed, it was pretty difficult. One of the most eye opening experiences I've ever had. It's been well over a month since I got back and it seems so long ago already. Almost surreal. Most of the photos here are from Kurdistan. I was in Baghdad for most of the trip but it wasn't till we hit the road and drove up to the city of Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan (northern Iraq) that I was able to be a bit freer with my camera. Kurdistan is really mellow, comparatively speaking and has been since the war began. We didn't need any security while shooting there and there were many westerners around.

The main assignment was to produce photographs for the Iraqi Ministry of Energy. The idea is to encourage energy conservation and to ensue confidence that the Iraqi government was doing all they can to make the country's energy supply more stable. I will post links to the website and post some images from the brochure when they are published.

I have to say it was a great learning experience both as a human being and as a photographer. I go to go places that most senators, presidents, soldiers never get to go to and talk to the real people that this whole mess has affected. Its a sad sad place but as in most situations that you think no one can enjoy life, there are smiles and people trying to make the best of a bad situation.







Palms
Baghdad, Iraq 2010







Flower Garden
Baghdad, Iraq 2010







Palm Tree
Baghdad, Iraq 2010







Dust Storm
Somewhere in Iraq 2010







Fence with tire
Kurdistan region, Iraq 2010







Sheep
Kurdistan region, Iraq 2010






Tree in parking lot
Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 2010







Two Kurdish Men
Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 2010






Sunrise from my hotel room
Sulaymaniyah, Iraq 2010







Iraqi National part of my security team
Kurdistan region, Iraq 2010








Gas station office
Kurdistan region, Iraq 2010







Gas station attendant
Kurdistan region, Iraq 2010







Iraqi Nationals on my security team
Kurdistan region, Iraq 2010

Unfortunately the South Africans from our security team would not let me photograph them. They were super nice guys and really hospitable. Its complicated as to why they don't like to be photographed, some political and some personal reasons. Special thanks to Reed for taking such good care of us.