Introduction to Giles Daley

Giles Daley: A War Journalist Taking Pictures with His Life

20 14-03-24 10:23

March this year marks the third anniversary of the Syrian civil war. In three years, at least 654.38 million people were killed and millions were displaced.

"We often hear these numbers, but we always forget that every number is a family, a living individual like you and me. Their stories should not be forgotten. " This is what the famous photographer Giles Dali insisted on doing for ten years: telling stories with pictures and recording the influence of war and conflict on people.

As a storyteller, Dali himself is part of the story: in 20 1 1 year, while working in Afghanistan, he stepped on an improvised explosive device and lost his legs and left arm. Now, after more than 30 operations, he picked up his camera and returned to the battlefield.

About stepping on a mine and losing your legs and left arm.

"The first thing I saw was my left arm, with three fingers showing bones and my skin still burning. I can't see my feet, but I'm conscious. I see my right arm. I have eyes and my right hand. For a moment, I thought, "I can still be a photographer." On the other end of the phone, Linda told the story three years ago in slow motion.

Unlike war photographers who record the moments of war, Dali is more concerned with the long-term effects of war and conflict.

So in February of 20 1 1, he came to Afghanistan.

The ring.

On that day, he patrolled with American and Arab soldiers.

They chose to patrol on foot because they were ambushed the day before. On the way, American soldiers and Afghan soldiers had an argument about the route, so Dali stopped. At this time, he obviously felt that his right foot stepped on something.

A white light rose and the burning sensation spread. I seemed to be thrown into the sky, all the air was sucked away, and I jumped into the cold ocean. It's surprisingly quiet around, and everything is like slow motion. Then there was a huge explosion, and I was thrown heavily. "

Dali, who just fell down, is still conscious. He saw that his right arm was still there and his eyesight was still there. The first thought turned out to be "I can still take pictures." American soldiers quickly took him to Kandahar by helicopter, and he was sent back to England two days later.

He spent 45 days in the intensive care unit. Several times, his family was called to the hospital to say goodbye to him. After about thirty operations, he survived, but his limbs were amputated three times, and his leg and left arm were gone.

"At that time, I was desperate and felt that everything was meaningless. People keep telling you that you may never walk or take pictures again. " But Dali made up his mind to learn to walk again.

Fortunately, the British Ministry of Defence specifically allowed him to go to the British National Defense Medical Rehabilitation Center for treatment. Although it is a rehabilitation center, it is as strict as the army.