Lynsey Addario Book Report

-

One of the most intense scenes that you’ll find in Lynsey Addarios It’s What I Do is in chapter 9, The Most Dangerous Place on Earth. In this scene Lynsey and her pregnant colleage are photographing in Korengal Valley with Captain Kearey and some US soldiers. This place is known as the most dangerous place on earth due to the warzones and the fact that there is little to zero cover if you were to be shot at, it’s simply a desert. Well, this place lived up to its name in this chapter. “As a photographer in a war zone, I didn’t have a weapon. I needed to get as close as I could to the action in order to get the photographs, but I also needed to stay alive.”(pg 185) Lynsey reminds us that she is completely unarmed while being in these war zones. After a couple days of trekking through Korengal Valley during Operation Rock Avalanche, Lynsey and the soldiers with her began to be shot at from various places. The most powerful part of this event to me is when Sergeant Tanner Stichter is comforting Specialist Carl Vandenberge due to him being shot and losing a lot of blood. Vandenberge asks if he’s going to make it or not and Stichter responds by asking him what the color of the interior of his car is back home. Lynsey takes a moment to process that Vandenberges’ last thoughts may be the color of the interior of his car. During all of this emotional heartache, Lynsey still manages to ask for permission and takes photos of the scene. I can’t even begin to imagine the feeling in her stomach as she looked through the viewfinder and captured the moments before her.


Lynsey Addario, It's What I Do
pg 226

I applaud Lynsey for having such a drive for this kind of work as a war photographer. The images she captures hold such emotion and real life. I have crazy anxiety and would not last a week in a war zone with only a camera. I’m so glad that there are people in this world who thrive with this kind of work because it’s really important for us to have a look into what’s really going on in the whole world.

Lynsey does have a little bit of luck when it comes to photographing the rise of the Taliban. As a woman, she’s allowed to be around other women and can photograph and interact with them on an intimate level; something that a male photojournalist wouldn’t have access to. She was able to go to a women's hospital in chapter 2 and as a female she was able to make the women in the hospital feel comfortable with her. This reflects in her photos a lot. She photographed many women in order to give them a voice. She learned a lot through this as well. For example, the women there don’t care about having to wear a burqa, but instead care that they cannot work. It’s very special that Lynsey got to give these women a voice to break stereotypes and to educate on different cultures.

One piece of advice from Lynsey that I used this term is that you should get all your contact information as soon as you can. The example that I grabbed this advice from is in chapter 9. Lynsey asked Sergeant Rice after being shot in the stomach if it was okay for her to take photos of him. He obliged and after a few seconds he asked if she would email him the pictures that she was taking.  Lynsey laughed and immediately asked for his email address, in the middle of an active war zone, because she’s learned that it’s always harder to get this information after the fact. When I read this section I noted in my head to always get contact information because it really is almost impossible to acquire it after the event. There's been times where I forgot to get someone's name for a photojournalist assignment and I wished I had gotten someones email so I could have simply asked them for my missing information.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a thrill of love and war. I don’t read novels on the regular, but I absolutely loved this one if that says anything. It hits everything you want from a novel. Thrilling war zones, solemn deaths, terrifying kidnapping, heartwarming romance, and a struggle to balance between work, home, children, and relationships. Strap in because this novel will take you on a rollercoaster of life and death through Lynsey Addario's eyes.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spotlight/Review -- Black Art: In The Absence of Light

-
Image
What is art? Is it time and effort put into form? Is it words and sounds put into colors? Is it the human experience seen through the eyes of artists? Art is having the ability to choose your own answer. Art is everything and anything you want, from presidential portraits to ceramic toilets under studio lighting. That being said, some art movements prove more important and intricate than others. After my recent viewing of “Black Art: In The Absence of Light” I was able to reflect on my privilege as a white American and Recognize my struggles as a woman. It’s no secret that Black Americans were and still are oppressed in our society. It may be surprising to hear how challenging Black artists have it today. The average museum is made up of over 85% men and 15% POC -- 1.5% of the POC are Black individuals. This skewed ratio also applies to art critiques. Now knowing who's ‘in charge’ it’s not hard to believe how many hurdles have to be jumped in order to have your art shown to the pub
Read more

Hometown - Alsea, Oregon

-
Image
If you find yourself on your way on the scenic drive of Highway 34 to the coast, you may have passed through the small town known as Alsea, Oregon. In this town you can find the Mercantile which also owns this gas station that has been around for over 60 years. Stop and grab some gas; and while you’re at it pick up some snacks for your beach trip at the Mercantile. Gracie Hildebrand has lived in Alsea, Oregon for 10 years and is currently studying nursing at LBCC. Elk season opened November 16th and Gracie has been out almost every morning at an attempt to tag one. She’s been hunting for since she was 9 years old and isn’t slowing down anytime soon! At the High School in Alsea, Oregon, you can hear the band playing groovy blues in late afternoon.  From left to right is Travis Chilcote playing bass, Dillon Elbers on the drums, and Lewis Bourne on the guitar. The instructor, Mrs. Ellis, splits up the class based on your level towards the end of the peri
Read more

Profile: Dale Stepnicka of Animal House in Corvallis

-
Image
Animal House has exotic fresh and saltwater fish, birds, and reptiles at it's location in Corvallis. One day a beloved pet parrot owned by a local Corvallis woman began having seizures. Unable to afford the vet bills, she was heartbroken and left hopeless. Sobbing, she stopped by the Animal House in Corvallis hoping to get some sort of help. There she found Dale Stepnicka, who comforted her and offered step-by-step instructions for what she could do. With a little bit of hope restored, she went home ready to do what she could with the new advice. Weeks later, Stepnicka was greeted by the familiar face of the women, but with a smile replacing her tears. In her hands was a bucket of assorted candy for Stepnicka. Her gratitude ran for miles; her parrot was healthy again thanks to the advice of the owner of Animal House. But she didn’t need to thank him. This is, of course, what makes it all worth it to him. Dale Stepnicka raises exotic birds like this one named Scarlet.
Read more