It’s mid afternoon and the sun is struggling to find its way through millions of tiny particles kicked up in today’s sand storm, casting a yellow haze and ominous glow across Baghdad, Iraq. I am with a platoon of U.S. Army soldiers and we are gathering our flak vests, helmets, and protective gear and heading out to a group of armored vehicles.
© Zoriah/www.zoriah.com : blog use permitted : use credit : link to zoriah.com : permalink to this post
After a short briefing about the mission, threats we might face, and procedures should we be hit by rockets, IED’s, snipers, ambushes etc., we are loaded into a four vehicle convoy and headed into the heart of Sadr City. The mission is simply to visit several checkpoints along the recently completed Sadr City wall. This is reason I am in Iraq.
© Zoriah/www.zoriah.com : blog use permitted : use credit : link to zoriah.com : permalink to this post
The Sadr City Wall: a highly controversial project which has effectively walled two to four million Iraqis inside the planet's most dangerous neighborhood. The U.S. Military sees it as show of strength to the insurgents who call Sadr City home, as well as way to control who and enters and exits the city. The locals see it as another hostile move by the occupying forces, a major inconvenience for working and moving from place to place, as well as a potential danger since peaceful residents may not be able to escape when more rounds of fierce fighting erupt.
© Zoriah/www.zoriah.com : blog use permitted : use credit : link to zoriah.com : permalink to this post
Approaching the wall gives me an eerie feeling, a reminder of the wall separating Israel and Palestine, what I have seen of the Berlin wall, and of course other areas of Baghdad which are now also walled in. The wall project is nearly complete now, and the local Iraqis seem stunned and disconcerted by the new addition to their neighborhood. I see an elderly woman carrying what must be an extremely heavy package of vegetables on her head, and wonder how much longer her journey to the market is with the wall now in her way.
© Zoriah/www.zoriah.com : blog use permitted : use credit : link to zoriah.com : permalink to this post
My first impression of the wall assures me that I made the right decision in coming here to document this.
Hi...I have a fellow employee whose nephew was killed resently in the war. He had written a poem of a fellow friend who had been killed. His aunt asked if I would take his poem and put in a decorative layout. I ran across your photos on google and went to your website. I am requesting use of the photo of the desert scene where there is military trucks in the background and two soldiers walkaway from you in the foreground. The color of the photo is basically yellow...I am assuming because of sand in the air. I will put as you as requested the copyright symbol and zoria/www.zoria.com on the image for credit. I hope all of this alright with you.
Bonita McLarnan
Iowa
Posted by: Bonita McLarnan | June 02, 2009 at 15:30
My condolences to your friend. Yes, you may use the images, but if you use my name, please make sure it is spelled properly :)
Posted by: Zoriah | June 02, 2009 at 16:32
Hello I am a photography major at Appalachian State in NC and Im doing a research paper on the psychological effects on photographers who make their living by taking pictures of often brutal scenes. I must clarify that I am in NO way judging you and I think that your work is truly beautiful and must be put out there to educate us about circumstances in our world that we do not understand. However, as a war photographer, do you ever feel regret or sadness that you may occasionally make money from a picture of someone's pain or suffering? If you wish to not answer my question I understand completely given its personal nature.
Posted by: Jane G | November 19, 2009 at 21:31
hi so how do you get into this kind of photo journalism? i am a student in cincinnati ohio and want to after i graduate be a photojournalist documenting the war, and could really use some pointers. your work is great!!
Posted by: Amber Kersley | February 16, 2010 at 04:33
Very nice pictures!!and you will get some prises to sir!!But Want to ask all that people who are passes from this blogs and all them too who will see this photographs at exhibition,This photograph is not for your clapping,It is reality and Do something in life to help them,so you can say with proud that you have done something best in your past.
Posted by: running shoes sale | June 23, 2010 at 02:49
You should give the impression that you are not simply asking for more, but you are offering value for value in a way that shows respect for yourself and a commitment to your company
http://www.yaahshoes.com/
Posted by: New Balance Shoes | August 03, 2010 at 10:44
day after day a lot of soldier die in the Iraq streets, is a total madness all the time is the same, you kill or be killed no matter if are or not a soldier, when you are a soldier in middle war you must face the insane and madness everyday.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | August 04, 2010 at 21:58
Thank you so much for writing this! I learned a lot and appreciate the perspective.
Posted by: Retro Jordans | August 27, 2010 at 03:03
where are they ?
Posted by: wholesaledunk | September 17, 2010 at 11:41
day after day a lot of soldier die in the Iraq streets, is a total madness all the time is the same, you kill or be killed no matter if are or not a soldier, when you are a soldier in middle war you must face the insane and madnnike tn
chaussure requin
ess everyday.
Posted by: tn requin | October 05, 2010 at 06:13
just be carefully!l love your pictures.
Posted by: MP4 Players | November 04, 2010 at 06:31
good post is like good cooking.
it can be tasted,but not explained.
Posted by: Laptopz Coupon Codes | December 17, 2010 at 07:16
tiffany & coスウォッチ グループ ジャパンはこのほど、東京?銀座のニコラス?G?ハイエック センター内に「ティファニー ウォッチ ショールーム」をオープンした。男性向けの「アトラス ジェント スクエア クロノグラフ」、女性向けの「ティファニー ジェメア」をはじめ、希少性の高いアイテムも展示、販売される。Tiffany Rings
Posted by: Tiffany ネックレス | January 17, 2011 at 07:10
I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Posted by: Dell Latitude E5500 battery | February 21, 2011 at 10:13
as well as a potential danger since peaceful residents may not be able to escape when more rounds of fierce fighting erupt.
Posted by: cheap jordans | March 15, 2011 at 11:08
Hola,
Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.
espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que
Posted by: Generic Cialis | March 23, 2011 at 08:39
grea post i like it
Posted by: ズファジラン | April 28, 2011 at 11:34
Thank you for sharing. Very happy to see your article, I very much to like and agree with your point of view. Have a good time.
Posted by: Interior Accessories | May 04, 2011 at 10:12
Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que
Posted by: Generic Hyzaar | May 19, 2011 at 14:52
This is really interesting, You're a very skilled blogger. I've joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!
Posted by: Networking solutions | May 19, 2011 at 15:45
I very much to like and agree with your point of view. Have a good time.
Posted by: Financial Magazine | May 31, 2011 at 23:25
I am just new to your blog and just spent about 1 hour and 30 minutes lurking and reading. I think I will frequent your blog from now on after going through some of your posts. I will definitely learn a lot from them.
Posted by: leverback earrings | June 09, 2011 at 08:06
I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Posted by: Mac keylogger | June 10, 2011 at 10:30
Wow, Great post,Nice work, I would like to read your blog every day Thanks
Posted by: Seo Services India | June 24, 2011 at 13:35
I think you are right when you say this. Hats off man, what a superlative knowledge you have on this subject…hope to see more work of yours.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | June 27, 2011 at 13:21
Keep up the awesome blog!
Posted by: funny t | July 12, 2011 at 05:18
Interesting blog! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: medical pump repair | July 12, 2011 at 05:19
Amazing blog! Bookmarked it and will be back again!
Posted by: offensive t shirts | July 12, 2011 at 05:20
Great story! Appeals to all interests!
Posted by: shirts | July 14, 2011 at 17:37
LOVED the blog!
Posted by: Brain Injury Lawyer Tampa | July 14, 2011 at 17:38
Keep up the awesome blog!
Posted by: tees | July 14, 2011 at 17:39
Thank you for this. Please don't worry about making people sad. Trying to get at the truth is the important thing.
Posted by: ratchet tiedown | July 21, 2011 at 02:44
We all need to have some humility about what we can reasonably control or we drive ourselves nuts. But this isn't easy when there's a lot at stake.
Posted by: power cord | July 21, 2011 at 02:46
It's funny to look at what we decide to ban and what we consider basic freedoms.
Posted by: Bar-Chairs | July 21, 2011 at 02:49
It all comes down to economics, I suppose, and how business in different countries try to fight their relative cultural baggage, in order to boost productivity, increase political stability, reduce wages, and increase efficiency.
Posted by: floor-jack | July 21, 2011 at 02:52
This is such a horribly sad story, but I love the way you told it. Thanks for not dragging us into a guns-or-no-guns debate and just allowing us to enjoy your wonderful writing.
Posted by: Jack-Stand | July 21, 2011 at 02:54
Really great writing, Matt - it is more horrifying from the well crafted perspective you chose. I'm glad you finally got to write it, and that the years of mulling how to do so gave you this fine piece. All that said - the horror never recedes.
Posted by: booster cable | July 21, 2011 at 02:58
Thank you everyone for your comments! This discussion is far more encompassing than my struggles within the medical community.
Posted by: shelf hanging organizer | July 21, 2011 at 03:00
Ég held að þú ert rétt þegar þú segir þetta. Límmiðar á maður, hvað Greinar þekkingu sem þú hefur um þetta efni ... vona að sjá meiri vinnu ykkar.
Posted by: Generic Drugs Exporter | August 03, 2011 at 14:50
Good read. There is currently quite a lot of information around this subject on the net and some are most defintely better than others. You have caught the detail here just right which makes for a refreshing change – thanks.
Posted by: Facebook Apps | August 24, 2011 at 10:06
Ola idea, Niza,
cousas boas, hai moita xente buscando sobre iso, agora van atopar fontes bastante polo seu post.
Estamos ansiosos para obter máis detalles sobre isto
Posted by: caverta | September 19, 2011 at 15:04
I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect!
Posted by: Generic Viagra | October 04, 2011 at 14:33
It's an attractive blog for politics lovers.
Posted by: Make Facebook Application | October 12, 2011 at 14:54
Det gör mig så surprise.I aldrig vet att det är en sådan underbar plats som jag kan hitta vad jag behöver,
Posted by: Lioresal | October 13, 2011 at 12:38
Great information you got here. I've been reading about this topic for one week now for my papers in school and thank God I found it here in your blog. I had a great time reading this.
Posted by: Generic Viagra | October 31, 2011 at 13:33
It's an amazing blog.
Posted by: Real Estate Logo Designs | November 01, 2011 at 07:04
I think that your work is truly beautiful and must be put out there to educate us about circumstances in our world that we do not understand
Posted by: xl pharmacy | December 13, 2011 at 23:33