photos from Afghanistan - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

hellomynameis · 10-02-2007, 01:12 PM

hey guys, was somewhat active here a while back but got pretty busy and went for a long time without visiting but now i'm back. oldschool guys like 5genlude should remember me (how's it going, man?).

anyway, i now work as a field photographer for a bunch of non-profits including some based in Kabul, Afghanistan so i've been there a few times now. i know it's not usually what's shown on this forum, but i figure i'd throw it out here anyway.

let me know what you think, comments and critiques welcome

5genlude · 10-02-2007, 01:59 PM

Awesome stuff homie, your shots always sit with me for a long time, i still remember the action themed shot of the birds you took for one contest when i left overseas, amazing stuff. i love the shot with the light creeping in the entrance way hitting the guy indoors.

Elegant Runaway · 10-02-2007, 06:53 PM

great pictures you got there

and hows life like in afganistan? be safe out there

riceboy89 · 10-02-2007, 09:20 PM

wow!

you sir are living my life dream...

amazing pictures, i especially like #8

stay safe and please post moar!

hellomynameis · 10-02-2007, 10:47 PM

thanks for the comments, guys.

life in Kabul is actually pretty good. there may not be an especially clean water supply or a reliable electrical grid but the people there are among the warmest and most generous that i have ever seen. if you consider that Afghanistan was in pretty much constant warfare from the late 1970's until the early 2000's, you'd be amazed at how happy people seem and how determined they are to rebuild this shattered country of theirs. it may not seem like much but these people really are taking ownership of their city and their country and it's been a real encouragement to see firsthand.

on the flipside, it's been rough seeing the effects of war on a city that was once so beautiful. there are buildings and even entire neighborhoods that are still pockmarked ruins atop piles of rubble. i've explored some of these sites and have even seen human remains buried in the carnage. it's not pretty. when i was there last year, the UN operated an extensive demining program and i would hear (controlled?) explosions all day, the noise only drowned out by a blackhawk thundering overhead on its way to pound the shit out of someone or something. things were a lot calmer when i was there this past July but the ISAF presence seemed beefed up big time.

the only real problem i ever faced there was the residual effects of Korean activity. i'm not racist against Koreans, this is simply the truth. when i was there in 2006, about 2,500 Korean missionaries tried to get into the country with the cover story of wanting to conduct 'multicultural celebrations' but nobody was fooled and tons of people were pissed. i ended up not being able to work for a few days because of what was going on (i'm Chinese, but they can't tell). there were angry anti-Korean/Christian demonstrations in the street and i'm sure that if those Koreans hadn't been stopped and detained at the airport, things would've gotten very bloody and i might not have been able to make it out of there alive. then this year there was the whole tragic Korean hostage situation which, in my eyes, was unnecessary and could easily have been avoided.

all in all, Kabul is a hell of a town with some of the best kebab chefs in the world. just don't go there with your head up your ass.

accord dude · 10-05-2007, 02:48 PM

You have some sweet pics bro. I would love to be a field photographer like you. Later bro

Boricua · 10-06-2007, 03:40 PM

simply awesome, great shots! you definetly captured great moments.

hellomynameis · 10-07-2007, 02:19 PM

here's some more. i'm still working on these so i'll update you guys every time i get a new batch up.

riceboy89 · 10-14-2007, 06:45 PM

what kind of camera/flash setup are you using?

i have issues shooting people without a flash because the pics turn out blurry and if i do use a flash, the pictures look flat and fake looking.

your pics are an example of the kinds of colors/hilights im aiming for.

great set again. hpefully you keep us updated!

hellomynameis · 10-15-2007, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riceboy89

what kind of camera/flash setup are you using?

i have issues shooting people without a flash because the pics turn out blurry and if i do use a flash, the pictures look flat and fake looking.

your pics are an example of the kinds of colors/hilights im aiming for.

great set again. hpefully you keep us updated!

i used a Nikon D200 with a 18-200mm f4.5-5.6 for all of the shots. none of the photos i've posted were taken with flash though i do use my trusty SB-800 when the situation calls for it.

are you shooting at night or something? why are your photos blurry?

tienlude · 10-15-2007, 02:37 AM

im glad u guys are finding an open mind.

i find this shit depressing.

i used to think dominican republic was bad.

mad-ass · 10-15-2007, 03:26 AM

lots of mixed thoughts from the photos.

find it bit humor that the picture..

with the Nardi looking steering wheel on such a car that looks like a van.

and I think that guy on a bycicle with steering wheel is really smart! i never even thought about doing such a thing!

sweet pictures.

hellomynameis · 10-15-2007, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tienlude

im glad u guys are finding an open mind.

i find this shit depressing.

i used to think dominican republic was bad.

here's the thread i just started with photos that i took in the Dominican Republic. personally, i think those were a bit more depressing than the Afghan ones.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mad-ass

with the Nardi looking steering wheel on such a car that looks like a van.

actually, it was an ex-UN armored Toyota Land Cruiser.

also, the driver--an awesome guy named Abdul Hadid--could probably give a few low-end WRC guys a run for their money.