This is a guest post from BBC Cameraman and Editor Luke Winsbury. He details his 2009 embed with French Troops in kapisa Province, Afghanistan. It’s an interesting and entertaining look at operating as an embedded journalist with a Foreign Army. To watch the film he made click on this link.

It’s 4am when I’m woken up in a large hangar-come-tent. I’ve barely slept because it’s freezing and there was heavy machine gun fire all night. That makes it 3 nights in a row with barely any sleep. We’re in Tagab, a French forward operating base (FOB) in Kapisa Province, North of Kabul. I have no idea what it looks like because we arrived in darkness and, because the base gets rocketed regularly, it is entirely unlit. You’re not even allowed head torches, except dim red light ones which I’m smugly pleased I have.

Nijrab Base, Northern Afghanistan.

We’re bundled into a VAB (armored vehicle). It’s so totally disorientating when you’re this tired and you have no idea where you are or really what you’re about to face. Not even the red light head torches are allowed at this point. I had taken the decision, much against the advice of the French, to take my full size DSR500 camera on patrol. They wanted to take something smaller but I explained that, like them with their guns, I use a DSR reflexively and quickly.

We travel for about an hour in the dark – and it really is pitch black in the back of the VAB. I use my small A1 camera to get some night vision shots of the soldiers in the back. Their eyes glow green and stare blankly into nowhere. They have no idea I’m pointing a camera at them. Ironically I am the only the one in the back of that thing that gets glimpses of anything.

We’re in a Pashtun area where the French had a three hour contact (Army terminology for a Gun-Fight) the previous week, on a joint patrol with the ANA (Afghan National Army) delivering clothes and medical supplies to the main village of Tagab.

French Troops on patrol near Tagab villiage, Northern Afghanistan.

Emma Jane Kirby, the BBC’s Paris Correspondent, and myself are here to see what the French are up to now in Afghanistan. They’ve had a lot of stick in the past for not doing their fair share in Afghanistan but in the recent years they’ve increased their troop numbers and taken control of the strategically important Kapisa Province, the Northern Gateway to Kabul. We’re with the Chasseurs Alpins (Mountain Hunters), the elite mountain infantry troops of the French Army.

The VAB stops, the back door swings open revealing the half-light of dawn. In my haste to get out and actually see something I make the mistake of not grabbing my spares bag. We know we’re going off on foot but don’t know for how long – could be hours. I start filming but immediately get told to start moving through the village. It has suddenly become very tense – something had changed – I don’t understand what or why. I don’t even have time to grab my spares bag from our VAB. I only have the battery on the camera and the tape inside it then. Idiot. Luckily Emma Jane is already wearing her Radio Microphone.

We’re at the back of the patrol, which is the worst place to be, both for filming and for our safety. The Taliban favour ambush tactics where they divide a patrol into smaller groups and pick them off. Moving through the village you can see how easy this is – all the houses with there walls and ditches could hide anyone.

I start running forward to get shots looking back at the soldiers. We stop a lot behind walls, in ditches, while the route forward is checked. We have to cross open ground quickly and with a low profile. We see few villagers – it’s too early. Dogs are barking.

We end up in a deep ditch running through some fields on the edge of the village, facing the mountains on the edge of the valley. This is where the Taliban hide and this is exactly where the French had a 3 hour gun battle with them last week. There’s a white house about 300m away where the Taliban were hiding so French and ANA troops move cautiously up to it. I suddenly notice the guy in front of me is a US Marine – where did he come from?

Gradually the tension eases. Maybe it’s too early for the Taliban. With this perimeter secured, we make our way back into the village to film the ANA handing out blankets and medical supplies. It’s a chaotic scene, but friendly and full of humour. I roam around freely and feel no threat at all, albeit knowing there are many French keeping an eye on things. I have tea with some of the ANA soldiers, one of those moments of serenity you have to take and it gives me a chance to catch my breath.

Later that evening we return to our main home for the week, the French base at Nijrab, home to about 700 troops. Nijrab is a Tajik area and as such is relatively peaceful. The base is set up on a plateau surrounded by huge snow capped mountains – it is incredibly beautiful. When this country finds peace it will be a haven for climbing, walking and skiing.

French JTAC – Forward Air Controller – in Afghanistan

Our accommodation in Nijrab was a large overflow tent – very basic and very cold – and we had to share it with soldiers passing through. At night the temperatures dropped well below freezing. My Icebreaker thermals were magic – I wore them day and night for days and they still didn’t smell (or perhaps I got used to the smell?)

Over the next few days we go on more patrols with the Chasseurs Alpins but mostly in the safer Tajik areas. One day we go with the JTAC (Joint Terminal Attack Controller – in other words the man who calls in Air-Strikes), climbing high up the side of the valley the French are operating in to secure the high ground and provide cover. Their guns face both ways, into the valley below and high up into the rocky peaks. The French have been discovering increasing numbers of large arms caches recently. The Taliban are relatively inactive during the winter (it is said they go for winter training across the border in Pakistan) – but everyone is predicting a counter-surge from them following the large increase in US troops numbers. The arms caches being found by the French seem to indicate a spring offensive.

Although the French do not see as much ‘action’ as the Americans and British in Afghanistan, it is worth keeping in mind the enormous public opposition in France (about 80% of the population) to their presence there – which must constrain their activities there. It is a democracy after all.

Luke has just returned from another trip to Afghanistan, this time with BBC Newsnight’s Mark Urban, click here to watch the film from kandahar.

I’ve posted a film below that I hope will illustrate some of the points and help you to see the way I operate:

6 tips for shooting and editing sequences from Chris Parkinson on Vimeo.

1) Always know your opening shot: If a Director asks you if you have an opening for them you should always know exactly what it is. I devote a lot time on any shoot to finding a strong opening.

2) Always get a broad variety of shot sizes: If you want to make the Editors life easy then make sure you have a huge big wide shot and a very tight close up, these will edit with almost anything.

3) Don’t be afraid to move around: Many Cameramen plant their tripod in one spot and shoot everything from the same position. It’s boring! Move around, sit on the floor, look for a high angle – go crazy, you can never be too creative.

4) Think Sound: I always say the “Amateurs think pictures, pro’s think sound”. I really believe that. Always look for shots that give great sound – a gate creeking, a tap being turned on, a car door closing. They give you a chance to bookmark the start and end of a sequence with an upsound. When Editing it’s always the first thing I look for.

5) Try and build your interviews into your sequence: I always like to do my interviews “in-situ”. If you can, build the interview into the sequence then it doesn’t jar with the audience. If you are filming a man fixing a tyre then why not throw him a question while he’s still doing it? Why stand him up and film him next to a sign?

6) Always know your end shot: See tip number one – exactly the same principal. I once read an interview with a Doco Director who said “there is only two shots that matter, the first and the last.” Although I don’t totally agree with him I do feel he is onto something. . . If the first shot is boring do you keep watching? If the last shot is boring do you remember the piece? No I thought so.

TV Cameraman Nick Woolley Shooting in Baghdad

Shooting a PTC in Moscow - 2006

I love to film – to capture the moment as it develops. There is though one element of News films that I usually dread shooting – The Piece to Camera or PTC. They often seem contrived and can disrupt the flow of a piece. But we do work in a business where Reporter involvement is seen as crucial to adding gravitas and establishing their authority and credibility. For me the only pieces to camera that really work are those where you are “in the thick of it” – dodging bullets in Afghanistan, at the front of a demonstration or in the middle of a riot. The reality is that these action PTC’s are quite rare and so time and again we are forced to make something from nothing – Bring to life a dull background while still appreciating that Reporters always want to look good – no matter what the circumstances.

There are no golden rules to shooting a good PTC and every situation is different. I’ve put together a short clip reel of PTC’s I’ve shot over the last couple of years and I hope they will give some idea as to how I often try and lift the story with an engaging PTC. I don’t claim that they are all great, but I hope they might give a few ideas to anyone just starting out or looking for some inspiration.

Shooting Pieces to Camera: Some examples of my work from caparkinson on Vimeo.

If I ever see a PTC in front of a sign or against a wall then I want to throw a shoe at the TV. My advice to anyone starting out in News is always to avoid the cliché. Add some movement and make it feel that the Reporter is really in the middle of the action. I love to use foreground, to move past objects and then reveal who is speaking. I don’t buy the argument that claims you should only move for a reason – that it should be motivated? Isn’t a good shot motivation enough ? We are trying to appeal to and grab the interest of viewers bombarded by Hollywood movies and the flashy music videos. Are we going to stick to the old and boring “news style” or we going to grab our viewers and turn them away from the internet by offering new and interesting ways of shooting and editing news.

As always I welcome your feedback and would love it if you post links to some of your own work.

In Thokoza park, Soweto. 11/06/10

As Bafana Bafana took on Mexico in the opening game we headed into Soweto to capture a taste of the atmosphere and to see what it all meant to the Sowetans. It was a day I’ll never forget, the atmosphere of excitement and togetherness bringing me close to tears more than once. The film we made really captured a sense of how people felt and reflected the fact that this country would never be the same again.

Soweto welcomes the World Cup – World cup begins in Soweto from caparkinson on Vimeo.

After the first day our priorities temporarily shifted to covering the England team and their fans. We headed to the sleepy village of Phokeng, just outside of Rustenburg for the England vs USA match. It’s an odd place to host such a big game and we made a film reflecting the clash of cultures between the hard drinking fans and the bemused locals. Just after we finished editing I shot this film on my i-phone to give a taste of the neighbourhood. And yes we did use that bizarre camper van as our edit vehice

As the tournament progressed and England were knocked out following that disastrous showing against the Germans we moved on to cover Ghana’s big game against Uruguay. The night before we produced a piece that really gives a taste of the spirit that helped the Ghana team to do well. Here’s two clips I pulled from the rushes that you might enjoy. In the first Ghana’s biggest supporter gives his match prediction and in the second the fans sing a song about me:

With Ghana crashing out to Uruguay on penalties we concentrated on putting together two end of tournament legacy pieces. The first looked at South Africa’s improved image abroad and the second was a deeper, more thoughtful piece that examined how South Africans themselves saw the impact of hosting the World Cup. I had an idea to use “postcards” to introduce each character in our film rather than the more traditional set up sequence. I feel it worked.

South Africa World Cup – final film from caparkinson on Vimeo.

Covering the World Cup has been an exciting, nerve wracking and tiring experience. Although I’m glad it’s over it has been a pleasure to see this much-maligned country step up and impress the rest of the world. I hope it can keep it up.

Fini Color Correction Before / After Reel from Patrick Inhofer on Vimeo.

I just saw this excellent example of how colour grading can really help your pictures and enhance any film. Patrick Inhofer has launched his new website The Tao of Color Grading which hosts numerous tutorials in this complicated art. I’m new to manipulating pictures but find it a fascinating subject. In my latest film below I used Matte effects and colour correction to help me to improve the feel of one or two of shots. As always feedback is appreciated.

South Africa World Cup – final film from caparkinson on Vimeo.

once the World Cup is over I promise to get back to the blog and to keep updating the content. For now though check out @caparkinson on twitter for regular updates.

Dangerous old lady:

I wander how many of us would have the strength of character to put the camera down in sympathy with striking colleagues?

Bad positioning!

Come on seriously, you saying you’ve never done this?

How many times have you disagreed with the words in a Piece to Camera?

Short but amusing – this is why you shouldn’t run backwards:

This one makes me proud. . . A cameraman shows Ronaldo some of his football skills

Strictly speaking this is a photographer not a Cameraman but it is still awesome. Great to see a celebrity bully get what he deserves. . .

A classic, I’m not sure if it’s for real or not but who cares?

I figured if I was lucky I’d get to go to a club once during the Olympics. I was wrong, over the three weeks I was in beijing I managed to make some shapes on various dancefloors and really experience what I have come to regard as the best nightlife in the world. We were working hard but also making the most of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The time difference between China and the UK was a killer, but on a long organized assignment like the Olympics your mindset is different. There’s not the adrenalin and fear that comes from an Embed with the military or following tribal violence in Africa. Instead you have this overwhelming urge to get out into town and experience the place.

My team was great and  we had the perfect Chinese translator. J. was a local who’d lived in the States and knew the sort of good times we wanted to find. Her and her friends were great fun and took us to lots of Beijings most happening Clubs, Bars and Restaurants. There was “8-Block” which was so cool I would never have been allowed in if it had been in London, “The crazy world of Suzy Wongs” a fantastically cheesy meat market which could rival anything in Newcastle or Manchester and “Coco Bananas” with its impromptu firework displays at the bar.

A video I put together after the Games as a way to remember some of the emotions I felt

When you wanted to wind down there was the massage places which are on every corner. . I went twice to one just behind the media village where we were staying. After hard days of filming they were a great way to wind down and let the stress eb away. I can promise though there were no happy endings, I think the girls were on their best behavior!

The highlight of the games for me was the way the Chinese treat anyone tall and blonde like a movie star. I lost count of the number of people asking to have their picture taken with me. The funniest occasion was when I was having dinner with another cameraman who is neither tall nor blonde, while I became the centre of attention in the restaurant swapping email addresses with all at the next table and having my picture taken the whole time he was ignored and sat chewing his noodles in disgust.

I’ll miss China, the friendly people, the amazing food and clubs, the shopping and of course the huge array of beautiful, elegant women. Perhaps being at the Olympics gave a false impression of the place, but it has made a mark on my soul, a mark that I know will not leave in a hurry.

]]> http://www.caparkinson.com/2010/05/a-look-back-the-beijing-olympics-2008/feed/ 0 http://www.caparkinson.com/2010/05/ten-important-videos-every-tv-cameraman-must-watch/ http://www.caparkinson.com/2010/05/ten-important-videos-every-tv-cameraman-must-watch/#comments Sat, 22 May 2010 09:28:32 +0000 admin http://www.caparkinson.com/?p=547 . . . Read more. . . ]]> I’m always on the look out for important videos that will help to inform and educate myself and other Cameramen. I felt it was time that I gathered some of the most relevant and interesting in one place for readers of my blog to check out. If you have any others you think should be here then let me know and I’ll post a follow up.

Firstly I wanted to draw attention to the history of our craft. I always imagine that being a frontline Cameraman in World War two must have been even more intense than it is for us today. The battles that much bigger, the chances of being killed that much more. Below is the first clip from a Documentary about the the cameramen of WW2, there exploits and what they saw.

But as we all know, today although the fighting might not be on such a grand scale it can still be intense, nerve wracking and incredibly dangerous. Here is an excellent film by my colleague Robbie Wright that he shot while embedded with the US Marines in Falluja:

The growing problem for all Journalists in todays environment is that we often become a target ourselves, either accidentally or because we are seen as “the enemy”. Below are a number of films that show how quickly we can become targets and how serious this can be. Some of the films are graphic and quite disturbing:

Not all predicaments a cameraman finds him or her self in are life or death. Even in our own countries the Police can turn nasty and arrest you for no reason. The Cameraman below was detained though later the charges were dropped and I understand that the Police Officer was later fired:

And then there are the self inflicted, pointless problems that we sometimes have to face. I still do not understand why the Cameraman in the film below kept following these guys once he had gotten his shots. He was later fired when the footage from a rival network was aired.

And finally the trailer for a film about stills photographer James Nachtwey. An excellent insight into the life and thought process of one of the worlds best known Photojournalists. Enjoy.

I hope these films have given you something to think about. If you have any films that you think I should include in a follow up piece then please comment below.