A Photojournalist’s Field Guide: In the trenches with combat photographer Stacy Pearsall

Where to Begin or Start Again

I often receive correspondence from photojournalists who are interested in war documentation or overseas assignment work. Some are recent photography graduates; others are established photographers who are in a rut and looking for a new challenge. My initial reaction is to ask about their motivations, intentions, and goals. The majority believe that shifting to this type of work is the best way to launch or further their careers, whereas others see it as an opportunity to take dramatic, iconic photos. However, in my opinion, you can’t create an iconic photo simply by placing yourself in photo-rich environments. Granted, you can take compelling images, but whether a photo becomes iconic is up to the viewing public ...