How do people become war photographers?

Question

Sorry to be a jerk, but I will report abuse for any intentionallly stupid answers since that's all I've been getting on here lately.

Answer 1

Usually, people that are known for being very aggressive photojournalists volunteer for those jobs in news teams from television news crews or news agencies they are employed with; they are risk-takers. They know the dangers (being shot by either enemy or friendly fire, a sniper), being kidnapped (a new phenomenon since photojournalists were somewhat respected yesteryears) or injured/killed by bombs. It is not a glarmorous life but it is "exciting" in that your adrenaline will be flowing constantly. They sometimes get to "tail" soldiers in the field for days and risk the same dangers as the combatants.

War photographers normally work for news agencies. The few that have their own credentials may opt to go on their own, and they sell their news to the highest bidder that may be interested in what they have; it may be good to have an agent finding those who would buy and pay good money (the agents get 20%-40%, don't forget).

I met a photojournalist in the early '80s, a French photojournalist, who had gone to Viet Nam and had been injured, and had gone and spent several years in Lebenon, too. She had bomb fragments still in her little body and scars from where she had been injured. We photographed run-aways in NYC's 42nd Street Port Authority terminal; it was NOT in any way glamorous! Some of those kids later appeared in a rock video and song by the same title, "Children of the Night."

So, I suspect that before you become a war photographer, either you go on your own, or you get hired after demonstrating your skills and talents and your experience on the field before you're even considered for the job. In other words, having a camera and knowing how to take photos is simply not enough; you REALLY have to know your way around dangerous situations. Before any news agency or news team from a television crew hires you, they want to know who you know and what you know from previous employment; photojournalism ain't easy to break into! You must start at some small nickle and dime newspaper in some hicktown rag before you get noticed and get your foot in the proverbial "door" of the big times, which will probably be carrying someone's load for them, for a couple of years before they let you look through your own camera's viewfinder! The advantages are that they pay a steady salary with benefits and provide most of the gear, and can also pay ransom if you're kidnapped, and pay for your medical bills if you're injured.

Answer 2

Step 1 - Go to War Zone with a camera. Step 2 - ??? Step 3 - Profit.

Answer 3

By working for a news agency usually. Build a reputation with local newspapers etc.. then apply to the big news agencies. If you garner enough notice, request the assignment.

Answer 4

Join the military, you will more than likely get deployed, and if you specialize in journalism in the military, you're a war photographer.

Answer 5

You buy yourself a nice camera,
and fly somewhere near the war zone and walk your *** there so your plane wont get shot down, and get in the crossfire and start shooting the shooting.

Answer 6

Just buy a few cameras and go where there's a war going on.

Answer 7

Go to war and take pictures, then sell them to newspapers and magazines.

Answer 8

Everyone has already given my answer. Shoot....pictures that is, in a war zone.