Homeless Veterans by Stuart Griffiths (December 2, 2009) 
(4 votes, average: 3.50 out of 5)
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Categories / Documentary Portraiture / / Click here to open comments section, click again when done to close / 2 Comments
Stuck at my Desk - general statement by Gordon MacDonald
I, like most magazine editors or publishers I’d imagine, spend most of my time stuck behind a desk reading emails, considering or editing texts, opening or sealing letters, looking through books and reviewing portfolio submissions from photographers and artists. Most of what I review, sadly, is not up to much – either being technically or conceptually underdeveloped – but occasionally I get to see new work, which is accomplished on all levels and this is what keeps me here at my desk and happy. This week I am pleased to present some projects - by photographers based in the UK - that have recently made me excited about being involved in photography.
Note: When I say that work is technically accomplished, it is not about the practitioners' ability to use a camera – I am not a techno or stylistic bully – but is about the use of the camera in a way that suits the subject matter being explored. This may be the worn and torn remnants of a personal archive or the beautifully lit and photographed result of a studio project.
Next / Life Without Loneliness / Previous / Nostalgia Is Bittersweet /
Our poll "A photo essay always needs a great written story" closed. 267 people voted, 28% agrees, 72% disagrees. 233 people answered our follow-up question "Are you a photographer?" 82% indicated they are, 18% said no. Initially, negative answers to question #1 were almost 100% as was the pecentage of photographers among respondants. Then, when the level of non-photographers started to rise, the percentage of people indicating good text is always essential started to rise too. This seems to indicate that non-photographers think that adding good text to your photo essays is essential. In my opinion: if you want non-photographers to dig your work, you know what to do...
I began taking photographs when I was a young soldier and at a time when I knew little about photography. I just had this urge to document what was going on around me.
The more I began to learn about photography the more I began to question military life, which became a very real problem for my military superiors.
I have now been out of the British Army over 15 years, but it is an area that still dominates my photographic practice and my imagination.
As part of this ongoing interest I have chosen to document the after-effects of conflict and the knock-on consequences back home in the UK.
From severe injuries of war to the problems of homelessness and social exclusion, I hope that this work questions notion of what it means to enlist to serve ones country, and what is left for servicemen at the end of this dangerous and altruistic act.
Gordon MacDonald is head of publications at Photoworks and editor of Photoworks magazine.
Stuart Griffiths (1972) lives and works in Hastings, UK.
Click weblink stuartgriffiths.net or browse our archives
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Posted in category 647
I had to have a look at Stuart’s website to decide that I kind of do like his style of documenting without frills and fancy stuff. But I might have selected some other photo’s, maybe, that seem a stronger statement of his thoughts than some of the photo’s I see above…
Very moving imagery , a serious issue which should concern everyone.
This series good be discussed again and again a very important body of work.