AT WAR

Washington Post photographer Andrea Bruce Woodall does what the best journalists do in a lengthy piece at the newspaper's web site: she goes out for us, she sees and she reports back on the reality of Iraq. Whether you like the war or not, you should read her piece, a series of diary-like entries from time spent with U.S. troops in and around Sadr City.

From her article:

After a minute -- maybe two -- the shooting stops. Completely. I'm still taking pictures, holding my breath to keep my camera stable -- hoping it can see things I can't. Hot casings from the gunners have fallen all over me, bounced off my helmet, fallen inside my flak jacket, in my camera bag. I can still hear the echoes of the Humvee being hit by bullets -- like large stones thrown with a pitcher's arm.

...

"We need a medic!" someone screams from the dust cloud outside. Gun lights shine on two men, writhing, standing, sitting outside. One is speaking Spanish. Blood hangs from their faces like drool. Thick and sticky. Bright red. One still wears a helmet with night-vision goggles. One can't see -- he grabs his face. He prays. The medic works quickly. The soldiers are so nervous. I stay out of the way. I have left the Humvee, and I crouch by its side -- try to steady myself. My heartbeat makes my camera jump. I still can't hear much, so I can't tell when the shutter is pressed successfully. I'm unaware of myself. I can't think. I just take pictures. Stay quiet. Stay out of the way.

The Post also has a series of her photographs (warning: some are graphic), and a four-and-a-half-minute RealAudio video with Woodall talking about her experiences. She says:

You have to continue to get up everyday and face the stories.... We can't just leave without telling the end of the story.

The Post adds that Woodall will be taking questions and comments about her article Monday at 1 p.m. (presumably EST) at washingtonpost.com/liveonline.
11:35:42 AM  LINK TO THIS POST  

COLLEGE PHOTOGRAPHY

Set aside some time for this: results from the 59th annual College Photographs of the Year competition are up and the appropriate word is wow. Stunning photojournalism thats well worth spending some time absorbing.

SOURCE: The APAD blog.
11:03:41 AM  LINK TO THIS POST  

CANADIAN WEIRDNESS

Two BoingBoing articles about the Internet in Canada: Shaw may be censoring some internet feeds and the government appears ready to add a levy to Internet service that will give users no discernible benefit for the tax.

SOURCE: Colby Cosh.
9:09:35 AM  LINK TO THIS POST