The Other Side of the Lens - Volume 1: The Photographic Journey of a Canadian Sniper in Afghanistan

Bombs, blood, explosions, violence, battles, helmeted soldiers, armed Taliban. These are the images of the Afghan conflict that we are accustomed to seeing. And yet, there is much more. There is another side to this country, Another Side of the Lens. Along with soldiers and misfortunes, there are human beings and moments of joy. This is what a soldier who was deployed twice to the Kandahar region reveals. Although he had the unique experience of seeing bullets pass by at close proximity, this is not what most marked this Canadian sniper. This is not at all what he shows us. Transcending political disputes and personal opinions, the images of this conflict and especially of this country are transformed. Without glorifying war, they honor those who live through and endure it. For example, we catch a glimpse of Afghan children playing at sunrise and sunset. Laying down their weapons, we see soldiers having fun on swings and slides in a park. We get a close-up view of the daily life of Afghan nomads in their tents, who in the winter keep warm using plastic bottles left behind by the Coalition. We come into contact with Afghan shepherds who, their hands covered in a permanent dust, walk among soldiers dressed in extraterrestrials’ suits. The Other Side of the Lens comprises two volumes that include hundreds of original images about the Afghan conflict. The author, OLOrtiz, has posted twenty-five photos on his website (www.OLOrtiz.com). The gaze of a person who loves Afghanistan and its people. More than just sniper pictures, the account of a soldier who photographed more than he shot. Afghanistan is not just a war.