When I first became a photographer I wanted to document wars. I’m not the type of person who feels satisfied staying within my comfort zones and the thought of being in the thick of it all was both exhilarating and terrifying. It was also the type of photography I thought could make the most impact on the world and bringing light and giving a voice to important stories around the globe was/is my ultimate goal in life.
When I quit my nice, stable job at The Salem News and decided to go to Africa I didn’t have much of a plan. I made contacts with World Picture News in New York City and hoped the rest of it would fall into place. The great plan was if I was there, if I threw myself head first and rather blindly into it all, good things would happen.
There were a handful of touch and go situations while backpacking in Africa but the closest I ever got to photographing conflict was covering the presidential elections in Uganda. Tensions were incredibly high during these elections because the incumbent president Museveni, who was favored by the upper class, had been in power for over a decade and people wanted change. His challenger, Besigye, held the support of the lower class and the division in the capitol city of Kampala was palpable. I spent about four days trying to track down the candidates talking my way and often sneaking my way literally through holes in fences to get access my flimsy International Press Photographer pass wouldn’t allow me. World Picture News was expecting photos and I was not about to fail.
To say I was green is putting it mildly. I was hopping on and off motorcycle taxis ordering the reluctant driver to take me to the rallies. No one really knew where I was or what I was doing and trying to keep my gear and myself safe was exhausting. As green as I was I must have good instincts because I managed to get out of the hot situations just before things got really out of control. I missed numerous tear gassings and shootings by minutes. The photojournalist in me was a little disappointed to have missed the “action” but I felt on high alert before things got bad and I guess I should thank my gut for getting me out of there in time.
The drive to photograph conflict isn’t quite in the forefront of my mind anymore although I’d be lying if I said if given the opportunity I would turn it down. What fun is life if you’re always looking before you leap?
