Tightsqueez -- Pictures from Iraq

[Davor]

I would just like to tip everyone one of about this photographer running around with an M8 in Iraq. Flickr, Youtube and Blogger might really change journalism in the future, by allowing the people that actually are there, in the scene, to tell their story.

Here's an excerpt from his profile:
"Currently on my 2nd Iraq deployment. My pictures can describe my life better than words...so I'll leave it at that. Mosul, Iraq"


http://www.flickr.com/photos/70355737@N00/

 

[IGMeanwell]

Just a word ... I got an email from him yesterday

He's moving again in Iraq (out of Mosul) ... of course didn't say where

but he won't have access to flickr or his email for a few weeks.

Good guy, excellent photographer... even better at IED disposal 🙂

 

[papasnap]

that guy has an amazing eye, and the subject matter is pretty heart stopping - I'd too would definately recommend seeing his work! A link to his flickr site was posted on rff a few months ago, that's how I found out about him. He keeps putting more content up over time, so it pays to keep checking back every couple of weeks or so too. gives a remarkable & quite personal window into a whole different reality than mine!

 

[sirius]

I have been enjoying his photostream for quite a while now. It's wonderful to see someone working in the traditional Leica photojournalist style with an M8, though his pictures are very personal.

 

[mtbbrian]

He's a good guy and a great photographer.
I have corresponded sommewhat with him too.
Hoo Ahh to him!
Brian

 

[tightsqueez]

Just wanted to check in over here at RFF. I now have access to Flickr and should have for the remaining deployment stint. Images will be much harder to get out though because of the content; the last thing I want to do is shoot myself in the foot. But I will try and post when they are "ok" to do so.

Thought about posting some type of M8 field test review here but felt that everyone should have decided already that this is a great camera. And it is...a true M! So yes, the camera has taken a licking and works as expected.

Thank you all for the great support, as it makes a great difference for me. Also, tomorrow a certain new lens will be added to the already ongoing madness; the Noct. Should be fun but I am eager to take on the challenge. A mysterious isolation exists, and this is the lens to show it.

thanks again,

..jAy..

 

[agi]

Great work Jay....be safe over there.

 

[Talus]

I cam across Jay's work a while ago and added him as a friend. He definitely has the gift. Nice guy too. Wrote him a message and he got back and told me about Iraq and his plans.

 

[Matthew Allen]

The man speaks! Thanks for the photos Jay. I've been checking them regularly - truely amazing. If you don't mind me asking, are you a professional photographer or intending to work as one after the military? Whatever, you have an amazing talent.

Matthew

 

[tightsqueez]

Matthew Allen...yes, I was once a newspaper photog and did a bit of freelance. But, I hated mainstream media and wanted to see the "other" point of view. I figured if I ever wanted to photograph a war then I'd better fill the boots first. So...here I am in Iraq.

I've got less than a year left with the military and then it's off to the civilian side again. Being over here twice and seeing things from a soldiers view is going to be an investment, or at least I am hoping. Either way the experience will remain. A long road awaits me, here and after the war. But, my goal is to return to Iraq and go from there. I've turned into some type of conflict "junky" and I don't see me shaking it anytime soon. A lot of people would say that I'm crazy; I'd say I'm just the one to do it. Someone has to you know?

Besides the issues with this war, I try and provide the world in front of me to people back home. I am truely thankful that I can do such a thing. Whether it is talent or just responsibility is beyond me. Thank you.

 

[Matthew Allen]

Well, whatever your motivation, I'm glad you're doing what you're doing. Just try to stay alive please.

Cheers,
Matthew

 

[pesphoto]

Good to hear from you, be safe over there and thanks for all your hard work in Iraq.

 

[shadowfox]

Jay, I think you're moved by something above and beyond yourself. Thank you for sharing with us not only what you view, but also perceive, empathize, and forsee.

Let us drink, indeed!

 

[mtbbrian]

Be Safe Jay!
Brian
aka "The Red Holga Man"

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Your photo's are amazing, as is the job you are doing.

I'm glad the Leica's are in such capable hands.

Stay safe.

 

[raid]

Just wanted to check in over here at RFF. I now have access to Flickr and should have for the remaining deployment stint. Images will be much harder to get out though because of the content; the last thing I want to do is shoot myself in the foot. But I will try and post when they are "ok" to do so.

Thought about posting some type of M8 field test review here but felt that everyone should have decided already that this is a great camera. And it is...a true M! So yes, the camera has taken a licking and works as expected.

Thank you all for the great support, as it makes a great difference for me. Also, tomorrow a certain new lens will be added to the already ongoing madness; the Noct. Should be fun but I am eager to take on the challenge. A mysterious isolation exists, and this is the lens to show it.

thanks again,

..jAy..

Hi Jay,

Your photos are excellent.
I know that being in Mosul is much safer than being in Baghdad.
If you eventualy get to Baghdad, I would be interested in seeing your photos from that war zone.

Take care.

Raid

P.S. maybe you will reach the Mansor district where I lived.

 

[tightsqueez]

Oh, it's good to see familiar faces on here. It's taken me awhile to figure out who is who but I'm learning. And I also noticed that someone either knows Latin or looked it up. Indeed...sounds like a great idea. To a drink!

When I was in college I had a handful of great friends where we'd talk for hours about photo and such. Now that those times are in the past it is good to have people like you guys at a typing distance away. I'll say it again and again...thank you.

raid...I wouldn't say "much" safer but yes, Mosul is a better place to be. There was a time when that city was very nice. I don't know what has happened but many areas have become undone. I can attest to that in Mosul. You speak of the Mansor district. Never heard of it. Is it in Baghdad or Mosul? As far as what the images would look like in Baghdad? Well, I do know when things get pretty crazy it is in my best interest to stop taking pictures. It's frustrating because many photographs have been engrained just in the memory, and those are the ones I try and forget.

It is those that will push me once I return to the photojournalism field.

Good to see everyone on here!

 

[raid]

Oh, it's good to see familiar faces on here. It's taken me awhile to figure out who is who but I'm learning. And I also noticed that someone either knows Latin or looked it up. Indeed...sounds like a great idea. To a drink!

When I was in college I had a handful of great friends where we'd talk for hours about photo and such. Now that those times are in the past it is good to have people like you guys at a typing distance away. I'll say it again and again...thank you.

raid...I wouldn't say "much" safer but yes, Mosul is a better place to be. There was a time when that city was very nice. I don't know what has happened but many areas have become undone. I can attest to that in Mosul. You speak of the Mansor district. Never heard of it. Is it in Baghdad or Mosul? As far as what the images would look like in Baghdad? Well, I do know when things get pretty crazy it is in my best interest to stop taking pictures. It's frustrating because many photographs have been engrained just in the memory, and those are the ones I try and forget.

It is those that will push me once I return to the photojournalism field.

Good to see everyone on here!

Jay,
Mansor is one of the most prominent districts of Baghdad. Most diplomats used to live there.

The North of Iraq is mainly Sunni, as you know. 98% of all Iraqi Kurds are Sunni and Mosul is the city of Sunni history and main location of Iraqi past Generals [Sunni]. This fact is never even mentioned on US TV. No clue why.

Raid

 

[Trius]

This fact is never even mentioned on US TV. No clue why.

Raid

(OT left-leaning statement warning) ... Uh... because it doesn't suit the neo-con-Faux-news agenda?

Sorry mods, couldn't help myself.

 

[Steve B]

Kudos Jay

Kudos Jay

Just found this thread and am appreciating the perspective and the pictures enormously. Good luck over there, Jay. I don't really know what to say as I don't want to start into the politics of war and how I feel about that but I do want to give high encomiums to Jay for his work documenting this piece of history and giving us some perspective into the conditions there. I'll be watching for new additions to his flickr site and wishing him well every day. Jay, I sense that you're very committed to what you're doing there but I hope you get to come home soon. I suspect that even a trauma junkie needs a break on occasion.