Ryan Pyle Blog: João Silva

Hello.

I returned from my motorcycle trip around China in mid-October and have been wanting to start up my blog again for some time. So, today I wanted to speak a little about the injury that occurred to João Silva. Please read on below.

Photographers, especially those who work in dangerous and unstable parts of the world, often end up in harms way. It seems to happen all too often, that great men and women who document history in war zones end up losing their lives or getting several injured.

I think it is important to mention that, I have never worked in a conflict zone. I have a limited knowledge of the stress and dangers that exist in that type of environment. Though while never experiencing this myself, I have a great amount of respect for those photographers who continually put themselves in to those situations.

Just over two weeks ago: João Silva, 44, a South African photographer on contract with The New York Times, stepped on the mine while accompanying American soldiers patrolling an area near the town of Arghandab in southern Afghanistan on October 23rd, 2010. Despite immediate help from medics, both his legs were lost below the knees. I never met João Silva, but I have been an admirer of his work for years as he has been documenting life in some of the world's most dangerous places: Iraq and Afghanistan to name a few.

Photoshelter has created a website where you can go and buy some prints of João Silva's lovely imagery. You can follow this link below:

Photoshelter: João Silva

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Ryan Pyle
Photographer
ryan@ryanpyle.com
Website: www.ryanpyle.com
Archive: http://archive.ryanpyle.com
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