Slate Daily Feed Death, Sex & Money - A War Photographer on the Limits of Bearing Witness
Oct 7, 2025
Peter van Agtmael, a renowned photojournalist and author of "Look at the U.S.A.: A Diary of War and Home," explores the complexities of war photography. He reflects on his disillusionment with iconic images and their real impact. Peter shares intimate stories about embedding with soldiers and the emotional toll of covering conflicts. He also discusses his shift towards documenting veterans and the ethical dilemmas of capturing deeply personal moments, including unexpected uses of his work in unexpected contexts.
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Living With Soldiers, Seeing The Disconnect
- On patrols he bonded with young U.S. soldiers yet felt a professional distance to maintain journalistic neutrality.
- Over time cognitive dissonance grew as strategies seemed disconnected from on-the-ground reality.
Context Determines Photographs' Power
- Early on he believed publishing truthful war photos would end unjust wars, inspired by Vietnam-era photographers.
- He later recognized the post-9/11 volunteer army and political context meant his pictures couldn't mobilize the same public pressure.
Near-Death In Egypt
- After friends Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros were killed, Peter was later beaten and knocked unconscious in Egypt during the Arab Spring.
- He described a surreal out-of-body moment and being carried to safety by fellow Egyptians.
