Student Perspective: The NYIP Interview

Student Name: Mike Mosack
City: Kandahar, Afghanistan
Website: www.michaelmosack.com

Editor's Note: We recently heard from Mike Mosack, who graduated from the NYIP Complete Course in Professional Photography in 2007, when he sent us an email thanking us for kickstarting his photography and telling us that he had been working for several years as a freelance photojournalist in Afghanistan. We certainly wanted to hear more about this, and the result is this fascinating interview that gives you a real look at the life of a wartime photographer.

How did you end up in Afghanistan?

I felt it was important to put myself in the area where I could get the types of photographs I wanted. I knew there was another story in Afghanistan other than the standard "Death Counts" covered exhaustively by the news media daily. I wanted to see the other stories that are often not shown in the news — the ones where our soldiers work very hard to build schools, to help with the reconstruction of the infrastructure, learn about the cultural differences of a people very different from what we in the USA might be used to. I knew there would be dangers but I also knew my training and experience would help ensure I could pull this off. I found that the Afghan people were not our enemy, but victims of a criminal network (Taliban) who had been stealing chunks of culture from these people. Despite numerous media reports to the contrary, I found increasing amounts of stories where US and coalition forces were playing a very positive role over here.

Have you worked in other countries as well?

I worked professionally in the US before coming over here. I have traveled to 15 countries and have been to 49 states and go wherever I can, whenever I can to get the shots and stories I am looking for.

What made you decide to become a photojournalist?

I have found over time that my preferred style of photography is journalistic. I try to find a story in the images in front of me or maybe a better way to say this is that I try to make sure my photographs accurately describe the event or person in front of me. I am a former police officer and my desire to be able to tell a story from my photography; to provide a record of an event is important to get the truth out. When I first took journalism in school, I was told that it was the unbiased reporting of facts. I am dismayed today to find our news reporting media to be actually effecting policy rather than remaining unbiased. It is frustrating that we all know that some news agencies will often put a Democratic or Republican slant on what they produce. I believe that we can be better and we should be better. People need to have access to the news and be allowed to make their own judgments of the reporting of the events they are reading about and this is one reason why I wanted to become a photojournalist.

Can you describe a typical day (if there is such a thing)?

The only thing that is typical in a war zone is the uncertainty of how each day will play out. There is the very real possibility that at any moment things will go from incredibly boring to incredibly chaotic instantaneously. I have learned to be friendly with everyone I meet, but I do not trust anyone at the same time. I constantly have planned avenues of escape or think about where I can get to cover in case things go bad and bullets start flying. I can not predict when an IED might go off, but I can eliminate the most likely areas where or when it seems probable one could go off. Living with this constant state of awareness can be stressful, but I've also acknowledged that if it's my time, nothing I do will prevent it. I just continue to live every day and do the best I can to be as safe as possible and not over think the negatives.

How do you find the stories you photograph? Do you get tips or get asked to ride with the military? How does it work?

I have an address book filled with names of friends and people I have worked with over the past few years that help me with contacts and transportation and it is a resource I value tremendously. I am able to develop solid relationships built on respect and I think this goes a long way to my being able to get rides with the military when others are excused from a particular trip. Networking is key, but I am also in a 3rd world country so my networking is meeting people face to face so they can see me and get to know me. Facebook and other social media are almost worldwide. I am also quite patient realizing that their mission or schedule might take precedence over my own. I think this perceived mindset is what gets me in the door more often, rather than not.

How do you go about selling your work? Do you shoot the images first and then look for a magazine/client or do the jobs come to you first?

A little of both actually. I do a lot on spec. I follow leads and stay current with what is happening around me so that I can I also get contracts and requests for specific subjects. I have been approached to write a book. I am researching my subject and have begun conducting interviews this past week. I had not considered writing a book before, but one needs to remain open to opportunities when they present themselves.

What kind of equipment do you tend to use when you're in the field? Is there gear that you find is better suited for the types of photography you are doing or gear that just doesn't work for you at all in the field?

I have to pack as light as I can to be as mobile as I can and still have as much flexibility as possible. There are many really good cameras out now. I prefer to use Canon equipment exclusively. I have the 5D for my camera bodies; I carry two lenses — a 24-105 zoom and a 100-400 zoom. This gives me the range of options I use the most and I can switch very quickly as the situation requires it. I also have my Canon 522 flash, but I rarely use it. The bright sun and cloudless skies here makes for pretty standard lighting. I rarely use my flash as it tends to draw attention to my position and we do not want anyone confusing the camera flash to that of a muzzle flash or that I might be a good person to target. I tend to try to blend in as much as I can, but being over six feet tall and obviously not from Afghanistan, I am vigilant to try to ensure I stay as invisible as I can when needed and the long zoom helps with that as well.

What's the hardest thing about photographing in Afghanistan and/or during combat?

Extreme weather and dust are near the top of the list. One might think that combat might be more difficult, but the relentless heat, dry winds, and invasive dust that is like talcum powder and gets into everything is aggravating. I have plenty of extra batteries because reliable electricity over here is a luxury I rarely experience and I need to be able to charge up my batteries whenever I can. I am prior military and prior law enforcement, so I understand the safety issues and procedural issues that arise when around troops. I also stay out of the way and build positive relationships on trust whenever I can so the guys look out for me especially when they need to do their job. I have to carry everything I need to last a few days because I never know from one moment to the next how my anticipated schedule might change. Language barriers are dealt with through interpreters. Everything I listed here and many more I haven't, all work against me to make life more difficult. This is Afghanistan. If it were easy or pleasant, everyone would be over here.

We've all got misconceptions about what it must be like working in a war zone. What have you found was most surprising to you about being in Afghanistan?

I often feel like I am living a déjà vu moment when the US soldiers liberated France. There aren't any parades or kissing in the streets, but local villagers come out and are very happy to see us and they want to talk to us (Americans). Kids gather around to ask for water, chocolate, or ink pens. This is not a conventional war; rather it is like looking for random criminals in the middle of an isolated desert community. Most of the attacks are against the local Afghan people, not against coalition forces. The Taliban are not a fighting force inasmuch as they are a loose band of thugs with access to explosives. They use fear and threats to try to sway the local populous to do as they want. Since most of the citizens are illiterate, the Taliban lie or falsely use the religion to make people believe being a good Muslim means they must do what the Taliban tell them. It is very strange to experience this first-hand. I envisioned scenes like Baghdad at night during Operation Desert Storm or maybe pictured something like when Rommel raced across the desert in WWII. We seem to forget that we are not fighting Afghanistan, we are fighting in Afghanistan. The Taliban use children to wear suicide vests and lie to them, saying that the vest only blows outward so they will not be hurt. These are not true or good Muslims (the Taliban). They only hide behind and use the religion as a cover for their crimes.

What have your experiences and impressions been about the Afghan people? How do they react to you as an American and as a photojournalist?

It is funny you ask because I have commented before on how these people must have last seen cameras that were the old Polaroids because they love their photo taken and instantly expect me to be able to hand them a photo. The Afghan people see my camera and they instantly gravitate to me or move to get in front of my lens no matter what I am trying to get a photo of at the moment. I use this to my advantage too with promises of taking their photos when I am done photographing whatever it is I'm trying to capture. Women cover up and shy away from the camera routinely. Kids will either be open and engaging or they will run away as if they think the camera will hurt them. Men will push each other like schoolboys to get in front of the lens and public officials will pose as if it is their proudest moment to be photographed. On occasion, I will experience some who will frown or wave their hands as if to say they do not want me around or taking photographs of them and I politely smile and move on.

We've all had photos/stories that got away from us? Do you have a photo/story that you'd wished you could tell about Afghanistan or one that you hope to work on in the future?

It seems blatantly obvious to anyone that has been here for more than a month that the planned troop withdrawal is a bad idea. President Karzai and US Government officials publically talking about buying off the Taliban for their cooperation, to get them to lay down their weapons and cross over to "our" side were missing the concept of who these people are and what they are capable of. Religious radicals and the truly criminal mindset can not be bought off. They will promise anything to get the money and then use that money to buy more weaponry. How our government can have people in the positions they are in who can not understand this basic concept is ludicrous. I would love to delve into this much deeper. Time will surely show how our leaving prematurely will only cause us more problems later on. This region is in turmoil. Afghanistan is bordered by China, Iran, and Pakistan and all of these countries are struggling with understanding right from wrong as viewed by the international community. Nuclear weapons and human rights issues are in the forefront of topics needing to be dealt with quickly and carefully. China, number two economically behind the USA will almost surely overtake us very soon. What ability will our president have to effect international policy if no longer in the number one position?

There have been attacks where due to the security forces in the area or my agreements with the military that I had to leave immediately. This is counter-productive to being a photojournalist, but I stayed true to my word to ensure I could continue to work with certain commanders.

What's the favorite picture you've taken while you were there and why?

I was at a girls school and was able to get some shots of the kids looking through their school window. I got one where there were six girls' faces framed in the shot. Each had a different expression on their face. I named the photograph, "The Many Faces of Afghanistan." It is posted on my website. The girls' faces seem to display Shock, Hope, Fear, Curiosity, Anger and Despair. All of these seem to represent the different emotions felt by all of the people of Afghanistan in their current struggle to regain their culture and way of life.

The photo that you took with the IED blowing up in front of you? Can you tell us a bit about how you came to get that photo?

I was in a vehicle traveling in Southern Afghanistan, on the way to the City of Kandahar. I was running with my small video camera sitting on the dash to capture the trip. On approach to a speed bump and one that had been the location of 3 previous IED explosions within the same month, the explosion occurred. The photograph is one frame of a video stream and the first frame capturing the actual explosion. It was from a wide angle lens so it appears that it is further away, but the detonation was actually under the front of the truck I was in.

How do your family and friends feel about you working over there? How do you handle being away from them?

Separation from family is tough, especially over the amount of time I have been away. I try to get home ever few months or so, each time for 2-4 weeks. I have been doing this for a long time now so we are more used to the separation periods. I try to include them in everything I do and send them photos whenever I can as well.

How do you handle the stress of the job and what do you do for relaxation in your down time (assuming there is any in Afghanistan)?

I usually handle stress quite easily and am very even keeled. This might have come from my years of military and law enforcement experiences. I talk with friends over here and we are able to share experiences which help to reduce stress a lot. Having hobbies and maintaining relationships too help.

You had mentioned that NYIP had helped you "kickstart" your photography again. Can you tell us a bit more about what you were doing before and why you felt you needed a "kick."

I felt that I had hit a rut in my photography. I began to ask my friends and family to critique my images and each time, they always just said how good they thought the images were. I knew I needed more critical dialog if I was going to improve. I knew I was missing something in my imagery. I decided to take the course through NYIP to get unbiased critiques I felt were needed and I knew working professionals would give me that. The added benefit was that in taking the course, I became more passionate in y photography again and have not looked back.

How did you first become interested in photography?

I was allowed to have a magazine subscription as a child. I picked National Geographic. I wanted so much to travel and be adventurous. I loved the images and the stories. I received my first camera very shortly after that as a Christmas present. I believe I was 12 years old. I would look at the fantastic images in that I saw in the magazine and I would try to copy the idea in photographs I would take in my neighborhood. I read books on Photography and wanted to improve. At 18, I had joined the Navy to "see the world' and my very first purchase was a Canon AE1. I was completely hooked. In every port we stopped at, I would head into my next adventure. I pictured myself as a traveler, rather than a service member on liberty. I interacted with the locals and filled as many rolls of film I could afford to buy. I have never shaken my passion for travel or photographing local culture.

Why NYIP for your training?

It became obvious to me that anyone I showed my photographs to would basically say the same thing, which was how nice they were. I would ask repeatedly for them to be critical, so that I could learn how to improve. I never felt my family and friends could be trusted to give me what I needed — solid, unbiased, constructive criticism. I knew that NYIP was for me as it provided working professionals who would give feedback on photograph assignments. It was exactly what I wanted and my skills improved tremendously after taking that course.

How has your NYIP training helped you?

I absolutely needed unbiased constructive criticism in order for me to see my weaknesses and have a guide to improve. The staff instructors I dealt with were extremely helpful and the assignments allowed me to comfortably push myself as I set out to take on my next assignment. The curriculum provided insight into many aspects of photography that otherwise, I might not have considered. Learning about studio lighting, for example, (even though I didn't have a studio) crossed into identifying ways for me to accomplish similar effects without the standard equipment. I think this along with the options afforded me as a student, enabled me to learn to be more flexible in my expectations of how a photograph might be shot. I now find ways to get the job done despite obstacles that might be making it difficult. Being willing to do a little extra to get the shot can make all the difference and how else can we distinguish ourselves from the rest who might prefer to take the easy route?

What do you enjoy most about being a photographer?

I love capturing moments in time and being able to return to those moments in viewing my photographs. The many people I have met, the places I have been and the scenery and events I have experienced, all recorded and each with a memory or story that I can relive to some degree. To me, the ability to do this is priceless.

What's next for you? Do you envision staying in Afghanistan if/when the US pulls out? If not, where would you like to go next?

I want to continue photographing events and subjects that help educate through cultural diversity. I believe that through education we can achieve understanding. Through understanding, we can achieve acceptance and through acceptance, we can achieve peace. I want to continue photographing subjects that have a story. I want my photographs to reach others like the ones that reached me as a child and continue to do so today. I tend to gravitate towards the National Geographic style of photography and hope to attain that quality that I have enjoyed seeing my entire life. I have been approached about writing a book and to assist in documenting other "tribal" cultures in other countries and travel with a team to document their efforts and experiences. I have enjoyed my time in Afghanistan despite the extreme conditions and events occurring here daily. Most of the people here want to be rid of the Taliban so that they can return to the lifestyle they had before the Russian invasion.

Where would I like to go next? I will continue to head to places where the people and their stories are interesting and events are happening in front of me. I want to go where bridging cultural differences through photography can help bring people closer and more accepting of each other as they begin to understand each other. It might be in another country, but it could be right around the corner too. I have personal interests in politics and sports. I might look at exploring something closer to home for a change.

—Sharon Gumerove