'Portrait of war' Southern Democratic Republic of Congo

This is just extraordinary. Direct and honest. Great shot.

Thanks guys-much appreciated.

The story behind the face made me cry. A stark contrast to the beauty of the portrait.

wow.
ive put in entries in the bw and landscape sections.
they wont even hold a sniff to this.
stunning

Powerful

Dear Melinda,

Please do not misunderstand me as I am only trying to be helpful. Your image ‘Postrait of War – Souther Congo’ shows a close-up of an African woman who is clearly identifiable and then you go on to say ‘She has suffered a rape so severe it has rendered her incontinent’. All my life I have been concerned about ‘3Cs’. 1st C for Consent to photograph- 2nd C for confidentiality and 3rd C for Copyright. You will appreciate that conset to be photographed is NOT a consent to publish the picture in print or electronic form or any other form for that matter. For publishing a picture you need more than just a consent to photograph. People misunderstand that a consent given to be photographed is automatically a consent to publish, which in legal terms it is NOT. Further more to disclose to the whole world that ’ She has suffered a rape so severe it has rendered her incontinent’ is grossly unethical unless you had permission to publish what she told you in private and in confidence. I hope you did have her consent to publish and tell the whole world that ’ She has suffered a rape so severe it has rendered her incontinent’. We must abide by the ethics of photojournalism.

This is NOT meant to be a criticism but a friendly suggestion and I trust that you will take it in the spirit. If you feel offended, then please accept my apology.

Kind regards & best wishes

Afzal

Hi Afzal. I was in Congo working as a volunteer photographer for an AID mission. I did indeed have consent to do all of the above from all parties. This was the purpose of my volunteer effort and clearly understood by all. All parties (Heal Africa and their patients) asked me to publish the details (however ‘gory’) to further the education of the west about the condition for women in central Africa. With respect your assertion that I have been ‘grossly unethical’ as you put it is offensive. It makes an assumption that is unfounded and un-checked. Never in my wildest dreams would I approach the task in an un-ethical manner. I am fully aware of my responsibility as a photographer, indeed as a person and fellow human being. All of my shots were requested and encouraged. I didn’t simply ‘wander’ into these people’s lives off the street. I was living amongst them and working daily with them. This is about telling the story. It’s real and unless we ‘hear’ it we won’t do a thing. I encourage you to contact Heal Africa (healafrica.org) if you have any concerns.

Regards,

Melinda Kerr

It’s now a bit later and I’m a bit calmer. I’m annoyed that I lost my temper there for a minute-it’s not my style. I’m very close to the cause and thus am sensitive to it. Please appreciate that anyone reads my diatribe :-) I love the people I worked with, I’d never do anything to hurt them – thx :0)

Hi Melinda, I have not asserted nor have I implied that your have been ‘grossly unethical’. In fact the words ‘grossly’ and ‘unethical’ do NOT appear anywhere in my text. Please read again to confirm. I made a general remark ‘We must abide by the ethics of photojournalism’.

I very much admire the work people like you have done for humanity and more particularly in Africa. I spent 18 years in Zambia working for the British Government when we started a new medical school at the university teaching hospital. I spent 6 years documenting AIDS and finally published a book ’ A Colour Atlas of AIDS in the Tropics’ which won the Lancet Trophy in 1989. My feelings for the cry for help from Africa for health care needs is very much like yours. I do apologise if you got the impression that I was critical about your work. Far from it, in fact I admire people who put time and effort in helping those helpless people who are deprived of bear essential health care. I would very much like you to see my audio-visual CD on ‘I Cry for Africa’.
May be this is not the platform for this discussion, which is of mutual interest. Please email me on my personal email address: afzalansary”aol.com if you wish to contact me. Once again, please do not be offended as such was not my intention.

Regards

Afzal

Afzal, as i said in my second note I am dissapointed I reacted so angrilly. It is because of my concern for the individuals involved. Well done for the work you’ve done. Your work as I have said prior to any of this is wonderful. Let’s relax and enjoy each others work. I will change the wording if it offends you. I merely wish to tell the real story rather than simply ‘title’ the piece. I want people to know what really happens. Because what really happens is horrific. And people need to know-because the victims need support. And the only financial support I can encourage is here in the west. Regards, Mel.

Mel, Have you noticed something common between us – we both have our photographs on here with Africa child. Please do not be disappointed for having reacted angrilly because to react is human and not to is cabbage. Your note clearly shouts that you are a very caring person – the fact that you already feel bad for having reacted the way you did is an indication of your being a human loving and caring person. Please do not change the wording as it does not offend me. I am not a person who gets offended easily. Yes, I agree, lets enjoy each others work. Mel, you are a nice person and, as I said before, a very caring person.

Regards

Afzal xxx

Melinda, first of all the story you tell us about this woman and her image is very moving. I don’t think you need to apologize for your quick reaction to comments from Afzal Ansary nor change your initial wording.
Secondly, Afzal, you wrote, In fact the words ‘grossly’ and ‘unethical’ do NOT appear anywhere in my text. Please read again to confirm
I read your text and clearly DO see those words there, qualified by unless you had permission to publish what she told you in private and in confidence
Glad to see you have both come to a mutual understanding.

A beautiful portrait of a courageous woman – thanks for sharing it and the story behind it Melinda.

Mawaho, yes indeed you are right. However, what I meant was that if the consent was given then it is not unethical. Anyway, no disrespect was meant on anybody’s part. The matter is now closed with mutual peaceful understanding.

Amazing texture and clarity – just brilliant!

Thanks everyone for your comments. Nothing like a bit of passionate debate! I will change back to the original story. In a way I’m glad for the ‘controversy’ as it only further reinforces the reality of life in DR Congo. If you ever feel like sponsoring people in africa feel free to visit healarica.org They are amazing – credible and incredible! Thanks mawaho, helene & paul…

Hey Melinda

First of all thank you for taking my redbubble comment virginity ;D

Secondly, I’ve been working on a series of portraits in the US for 3 months, and I can completely relate to what you write; that some people just take your breath away the second they look at the lens, and the intensity they do it with – and that feeling you get in your stomach when you look at the portraits days, weeks, months later.

May I ask how you ended up as a photographer such a place? Cause that is one of my dreams!

Hi Lasse. Cool I didn’t realise I was the first to comment on your work! I’ve no doubt you’ll get a lot more comments-your stuff is great. Ok so to answer your question… I ended up on the trip to central Africa through my sister. She works for a Christian AID group who partner AID groups internationally. Basically they support them financially and with manpower when they can in the AID groups own country. That way, it’s not a case of we westerners telling them how to run their business. It’s more a case of, ‘here we are, tell us what to do…’ Every year this group called CNEC Partners International sends short term trips to Africa, China, Indonesia and Central Asia. (It’s head office is in the U.S.) These trips are made up of volunteers who bring a multitude of skills. On my trip there was a handyman, a set builder, 2 doctors, a nurse, 2 retired teachers, an I.T. guy, a cleaner, an admin person and me an amateur photographer (and professional writer). We all pitched in – anything from the handyman helping building gates at the hospital, to the cleaner doing art and craft with the kids, to the I.T. guy sorting out the old computers etc etc. We all pay our way and live in amongst the locals. It’s amazing. We went to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. I took over 3000 shots :0) and have got (so far) two photo mags interviewing me which is great. Not ‘cos it’s about me but because it’s about the cause. Lasse it’s great that you want to do this sort of thing. My advice would be to offer your services to a charity near you-be it UNICEF, World Vision or wherever. And persist!! Thanks for your comments and your interest mate!

I had tears streaming down my face after reading your description – you are clearly an amazing person… your photos are so inspirational – the world needs more people like you!

this image made gave me goosebumps.

i couldnt even be coherent writing the above. the image description saddens my heart yet her courage/strength is right there in her eyes.

I love your passion for injustice. I love that you are courageous enough to tell the rest of the world the story of this woman . I think if we are constantly worried about political correctness and ethical politics then woman like this suffer for nothing. I think as an angel of mercy you enlighten the eyes and hearts of the world. I think that you are amazing to do this and share from being a volunteer and not some faceless news corporation who cares nothing for ethics or privacy. I am sure that the other person who says you are unethical never thinks twice about photojournalistic practices watching the news at night!!! Bravo and Gods abundant blessings for you work and life.

Amazing capture of a woman who wears her life on her face…

Mel,
Thank you for commenting on my work recently, if you hadn’t I wouldn’t have found yours. How I missed it I’m unsure, as it is so powerful, and your caring comes through all your shots. We can get so caught up in our own day to day issues, that we sometimes forget the bigger picture, you have certainly changed the start to my day.
Thank you for sharing part of your heart.
Sue

Mel, that’s a fantastic image and perfect raw truthful words to accompany them. It’s an interesting debate too, one I have with myself quite often…
I have worked on the outskirts of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and found the people not only to be very open but extremely warm and welcoming of having their story told. Pride may be a very important thing in our lives, but at some point life becomes more so and I think a lot of people feel to stand up and be honest can give you more pride than hiding away from it…i hope i make some sense here…

perfect sense jessica…

Hi Melinda
Your portrait is beautiful, the story is horrifying and made more so when you hear it in conjunction with the picture. This is about real people. While I understand Afzal’s concerns, I think his wording was undiplomatic and probably better put to you directly rather than publicly (a bit difficult I know but people are sharing their emails from RB.)

As for the ethics of your photo and the words – my reception was that permission had been implied and I’m glad to hear that it was explicit. However, although Afzal seems to be up with the ethics and law of photojournalism, I can’t see how there was a breach, even without explicit permission! Your intent is clearly altruistic and I know motivation doesn’t come into it really, but photojournalism, telling the real story, DOES change the world. I am almost certain Kim Phuc did not have permission for his Pulitzer prize winner here

I think the ethical debate is valid, but bringing YOUR ethics into it in this manner was “grossly” unfair. I base my own comments on 20 years as a journalist (albeit community-based and I qualify this with the assurance that I find papparazi style journalism abhorrent).

Putting the human face on tragedy is necessary and I believe what you are doing with your work is amazing. I hope you do help to bring about change to the human condition.

Melinda your awsome,The greatest shot I have ever seen of a person with great detail WOW!!

Melinda…..this is brilliant. I would personally like to shake your hand!!

Your work moves me everytime. Here I am sitting in a very luxurious lobby of a 5 star hotel in LA, I’ve just logged into RedBubble to get my fix and with out warning your portrait here jolts me back into an unnerving reality…...

Your work always manages to put things into some sort of perspective for me…....this photo certainly has my vote for the photocomp. :-)

Hey Melinda,

Interesting comment this work has generated..

I can understand the concern regarding consent and the rest.. However, when I look at the image it speaks to me of dignity, of pride and of strength. There is sadness, beauty and an unflincthing gaze that looks through and beyond.

Is the commentary necessary ? Does it add anything ? I suppose that’s one for personal opinion. For me, it does.. The picture is wonderful, without words. With words it has a fullness and context. For me the story dosen’t evoke a simple knee jerk sympathy but rather a sense of admiration. It’s a fine line, but I think your motive is true and that’s what comes across..

Regards,

Brett.

Thanks Brett. Your observation is really smart and very moving. Thanks.

Hi Melinda.

I’ve had a good read through everything that’s been written around the traps. Well photographed and well written. The message is loud and clear.

Cheers,

Darren

I thank you for this …. for it is only through exposure to such documentations that we are forced to think about things that we might so often be oblivious to. Amazing portrait.

A powerful message … thankyou for posting.

The story of Africa seems so often to combine endless suffering with boundless courage and compassion. It makes me deeply uneasy and yet hasnt yet led me to despair. I am more enouraged by those who engage and help and by the power which comes through in images like this.

Thanks everyone. Great that you’ve all taken the time to read, think and comment. Pilgrim to your point – I’m glad you’re not lead to despair. Despair won’t help anyone :-) The key is to be led to action in whatever way you think will help. I think the key is to be active and hopeful.

Incredibly moving. I had questions about the ethics as soon as I saw the title and raw emotion in this woman’s face. They have all been answered and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed/appreciated reading all the comments here. Thanks .. and peace.

I’m never going to forget her eyes.

Tonight I showed my mother RedBubble and she was instanly drawn to your work, in particular this one because she knows about the condition that this woman suffers from and the effect it has on her place in the community. She wanted to comment but not being a member couldn’t so I am doing in on her behalf.

Tonight I showed my mother RedBubble and she was instantly drawn to your work, in particular this one because she knows about the condition that this woman suffers from and the effect it has on her place in the community. She wanted to comment but not being a member couldn’t so I am doing it on her behalf. I just wanted you to know.

I agree that conditions in Africa should be made known to the world and if a photo like yours can do that, and inspire an emotional reaction, then maybe there is hope for change. Melinda, your pix are inspirational, keep on doing what you’re doing.

That story sends shivers down my spine..

hi Melinda. I’ve been involved with Amnesty International all my life, firstly through my mother, and my own work (and campaigned for this very issue). I am very glad you took the time to spend in the Congo, and to share the experiences here. (I sound like I’m giving you a report card! sorry!)

It is my belief if we want peace in the world, we need to act as if we had peace right now. What would be doing? Doing what we love-be that helping people, taking photos, remembering to smile. It isn’t always easy. I think by doing what you love, you have gained this woman’s trust, and this is very clear.

I understand how the comments can be deeply affecting, when you have known these people so well. I can also see Afzal’s point (him not knowing you as well), also as a message to other photographers to bear those three C’s in mind. (Cleary, you did)

-I had photo of myself put on the web, the AI site in fact, of a pic I’d never seen of myself, and without my permission. It was part of a screen saver. I worked for them, and supported what they did, but it was after I’d finished. And I only found out through other colleagues. It was a strange and disconcerting shock. I would of appreciated being asked!

It ultimately doesn’t matter, it’s very trivial and a bit of a novelty but as a subject (for once!) it was a very weird feeling. Therefore I can see why Afzal, after working in the same industry as you, would want to ascertain that permission was gained.

I share your awe of how brave and inspiring this woman is to grant that permission. There are some very bad things happening in the world. We all play our part, and it doesn’t help to carry the world on our shoulders, but stand up and share ourselves as best we can. Thank you!

(report card over!)

ps yes, well done this term-tell your parents your an outstanding student. I’m sure they had a lot to do with it!

Hi Melinda, thanks for your comment on my photo. You have some very powerful images and this is another – as you say it’s good it stirs controversy. Keep it up. You are doing great things, things which most people don’t have the strength to step out of their comfort zone and do. And you do it with both passion and compassion – that’s evident. I really admire that.

This is absolutly no joke…as I read your description and looked back into her eyes I had such intense shivers run down my arms and back. Speechless. I have no speech for this image.

Hi Melinda – pasting below info I got from the Victorian Writers Centre bulletin which may interest you. I’m not sure if you will see this message so fingers crossed.

The Thylazine Foundation: Seeking submissions from Australian Artists and Writers for the World. We are looking for prose (non-fiction or fiction) with the purpose of initiating positive personal and social change, so that together we are working towards a world where unnecessary suffering for all beings will be a thing of the past. The Australian Artists and Writers for the World section is open to all Australian artists and writers who care about a world in crisis and who seek to empower themselves and others. Previously published work is acceptable with appropriate acknowledgments. Please include a piece of writing (500 – 1000 words) on what we can do to make the world a better place, a photo and a 300-500 word biography via email. All enquiries/ submissions for The Thylazine Foundation Australian Artists and Writers for the World are to be made to The Co-ordinator: Liz Hall-Downs: world (at) thylazine (dot) org

this image epitomises to me what photography is all about – telling stories (good and bad) in its simplest form. Your portfolio is amazing – you were born to photograph through your shear humanitarian nature.

stunning!

Having been to where you have been, I am glad you took this picture and tell the story. Knowing you as a friend I know full well that your intention was to make the story known and to make people aware about the reality of life. We are seeing as you saw it there. Unless we faced up and acknowledge it, nothing will change.
I admire your work and I admire what you believe in.

This is a stunning portrait. I have been to Rwanda and Congo myself and there is a lot of recent pain there. This shows the beauty of the people and the pain they have so well.

My compliments to you, Melinda, this is truely an outstanding portrait!

Thanks heaps everyone for your comments and thoughts. I really appreciate it!

This is a great picture, my dad lives in Africa and it is a sad thing happening over there

Thanks carpenter.

super shot!

Thanks Jelynn!

Great shot Melinda. It is also a reminder of the systemic physical and economic abuse of women in Africa. Well done.

Thanks Bruce. I was horrified by the treatment of women. Just unbellievable.

This an incredibly raw and moving image and combined with the story it is extremely emotional. I’m not sure if the story is necessary to make the message clear, I’m certainly no expert. I guess the story may not be necessary and it may be suffice to simply remind people of the problems that have occured (or refer them to another website?) rather than giving the details of the woman in the photo. That being said, perhaps somebody in her position would want her story told…

Regardless, you are making a great contribution to a more global understanding of some of the problems have occured/are occuring in Africa and I really respect that.

Melinda this is an outstanding image! It is impossible to look at it and not be moved by it.
I think the work you are doing is fantastic – it is too easy for us to get caught up in our own daily lives and forget people like this.

Congrats again on your acceptance in the ADPA competition.

Thanks Kathy. It’s the people in Congo who are doing the real work www.healafrica.org

A really compelling photo Melinda- for me I would have liked to have seen
her name added to the story as well as the image

hmm, another debatable aspect of relaying sensitive detail-
yes, tell the story,
yes see the story told in her face-
but yes, tell her name? I dunno. At least some privacy can be given, and yet, there is diginity in having a name…

I agree with you Sunset. I appreciate David’s point but to me it’s more informative to not give her a name. It further emphasises to me that she represents hundreds of thousands in her situation. Thanks for your feedback.

a stunning, dignified portrait.

Stunning image and A very good portrait..it tells everything…best regards

hi Melinda
i appreciate the work you’re doing in “Africa” as you put it. i understand how your images can be sensitive to some viewers. First of all there’s rape victims all over the world, Australia included, but we don’t often get to see their images and read their stories on redbubble. Secondly your constant referral to “Africa” in general may not go down well with other readers. to me this is “biased”. Congo is a country, and Africa is a continent, same way that Tibet is a country and Asia is a continent. until these issues are resolved you might find yourself getting into more confrontations, not with me, because i come here looking for art and nothing else.

apart from that ,i think the quality of your photographs look great. i love the black and white treatment in others.

the intensity of this shot is riverting. I have made a documentary on the plight of the southern sudanese here in Perth and can relate to your feelings towards this woman and this shot, I too have stood in awe as the sudanese women told me what terible experiences that had endured in Sudan.

I take my hat off to you Merlinda for producing raw and honest portaits

staggering portrait

Hey great photo. She looks very powerful in her personal strength. Even if she does reside in an overbearing and not necessarily ethical world.

Beautiful photograph- beautiful woman- I admire your conviction

great portrait !

An intense portrait, nice work

Haunting image, Melinda. Your work is superb….

Fantastic Image! – well done in the photo comp!! You deserved it!

Beautiful Shot!!! impressive!

Beautiful face. Lovely portrait.

The world needs to see more images like this and be told the story behind the image. Thank you for sharing both the image and the story.

A great shot that obviously started many people thinking about a range of issues. Can an artist ask for anything more. We all make images that we wish to impact upon our audiences and you have achieved this in spades. Thank you

Dear Melinda
l just picked up the PhotoReview issue with some of these photos in it. Whilst I loved them in print, when I looked at this image and the associated caption I realised I had tears streaming down my face. Thank you for a truly wonderful portrait showing strength and fortitude.
Regards
Jo

Great shot! A favorite!

I’m speachless after reading what you wrote. It makes the photo absolutley beautiful!! You should read “What is the What” by Dave Eggers, it is the story based on the life of Valentino Achak Deng who was one of the “lost boys” out of the Sudan. It brought tears to my eyes and was often times a difficult book to read. Wonderful work, keep it up!!

Truth is very powerful!

hundreds thousands
mmmmmmm

only the one

Melinda. This is fabulous. As Alan said, right at the top of all these comments, it’s in the eyes!

Amazing shot

beautiful!

A striking and powerful portrait of a very brave woman. Thank you for your commitment and sharing this with us.