Browsing all posts in Reportage.

From here to Timbuktu: On assignment at the end of the world.

Our Fixer, Halis, was waiting for us as we clambered down the steps of our Air Mali flight. He wore his Tuareg regalia with obvious pride – his bright blue robes flowing in the gentle breeze and his nine meter head scarf perfectly wound around his head and chin. He had gentle eyes, [...]

When things fall apart, DRC August 2009.

Congo Mines, 2009. from caparkinson on Vimeo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is an incredibly difficult, complicated and dangerous place to work. Large parts of the country are essentially lawless and armed bands (including the National Army) roam the roads and jungle tracks looking to shake people down for money or cigarettes.
I first worked [...]

“It’s good to trust.” Somalia, June 2009.

As we climbed out of the tiny ten seater aircraft and stepped onto Somali soil I was nervous. We were in territory controlled by the Islamist militia Al Shabab, a group with ties to Al Qaeda and a reputation for beheading those who didn’t agree with them. We were the guests of The World [...]

Welcome to Hell. Congo, September 2008.

“Hay my friend, why are you taking my picture?” I looked up to see the six Congolese soldiers standing over me; they seemed inquisitive rather than angry. I’d been filming Displaced people carrying their belongings along the road that lead north from Goma in the Eastern Congo, people who had left everything except what they [...]

Under Fire in Afghanistan. Helmand, Christmas 2007.

I’d always wandered how it felt to be shot at, to hear the crack of bullets breaking the sound barrier above my head and to feel the adrenaline flood through my body.
When it happened it was strangely surreal, like it was happening to somebody else. My heart rate barely seemed to rise above its normal [...]