Ram V Chary: A Simple Guide to Wartime Photography

We've all seen numerous photos of war in textbooks and newspapers, and the death and destruction we see are often shocking, but this is what war photography is about.

Ram V Chary explains that war photography involves capturing violence, conflict, and the effect it has on innocent civilians. Many photographers put themselves in harm's way as they record the reality of war.

Ram V Chary says war photographers have never been in more danger than the present. They can be injured, captured, or killed while covering military conflicts.

Here are some tips for budding photographers who want to capture the horrors of war.

Don't carry a lot of the equipment.

War photographers have to be on their feet all day long, typically traveling with the soldiers as they fight. Ram V Chary says only carry essential equipment. Carrying too much is a terrible decision as sometimes photographers have to run and take cover if they are being shot at.

It isn't a game.

Photographers who want to take photos of war should understand the psychological effects it can give them afterward, notes Ram V Chary. Nothing can prepare them for the moment they witness death for the first time, which they may never forget.

Don't edit photos.

The purpose of war photography is to document the reality of war, and edited photos do the opposite of that. The public may see a lie but believe it is true. Brian Walski, a professional photographer, merged two images taken a few seconds apart to create a more intriguing photo. He was accused of altering the news photograph, which he later admitted. As a result of manipulating a photograph, he was immediately fired from his job, says Ram V Chary.