Pick 'n' Mix: war

By hattie- IdeasTap 21/01/11

Here's a selection of beautiful images of Afghanistan, by photojournalist Bran Symondson...

This week I’m bringing you a preview from the Idea Generation Gallery in east London. On 28 January, they’re hosting an exhibition by photojournalist Bran Symondson.

As a soldier serving in The British Army, Bran became obsessed with the Afghan National Police during the war against the Taliban. He was fascinated by the contradictions at the heart of what the ANP do – keeping warring sides apart while trying to make Afghanistan whole as a nation.

Their uniforms are immaculate in the midst of chaos; they form strong bonds of friendship and seem almost feminine, with their stylish get-up and girlish stance, in a male-dominated world.

So in 2010, as a photographer rather than a soldier, Bran went back with an assignment from The Sunday Times to capture the essence of the ANP. Like any great photo story, these images are full of contrasts – flowers and guns, friendship and fighting. Bran’s past experience as a soldier undoubtedly helped him to infiltrate their world.

You get the feeling that he understands what these men are about. As he said, “There’s a similarity between a soldier and a photographer, they are both looking intensely for the moment.”

Here are my favourite shots from the show – get down there if you can…

A Chai Boy on Duty

A young member of the ANP on duty, taking a break in what appears to be an opium field. He wears his chitrali hat at a jaunty angle.

Guns & Roses

Flowers are often given as a mark of respect; the contrast between the most feminine flowers in existence and an AK47 is surreal.

R.P.G & Tea

Lets face it, this guy doesn’t look like a stereotypical fighter. Standing in an opium field at sunset, his pose is almost provocative.

The Best View of Heaven is from Hell

This picture inspired the name of the exhibition. Bran found the slogan painted on a captured building in Helmand Province, which was acting as headquarters for International Assistance Security Force troops.