Giles Duley – When The Reporter Becomes The Story
Posted by Michelle Moquin on May 8th, 2014
Good morning!
It wasn’t until three weeks ago that I had ever heard of Giles Duley. I had received an e-mail from a client, now a good friend, inviting me to a special talk and intimate chat with Duley. I read his story, watched his TED talk, and was so very intrigued and inspired, I bought my ticket, and marked my calendar, excited for the event and an opportunity to meet such an incredible man doing great things.
If you know of Duley, then you probably know that he travels the world to many places that most people don’t dare visit, telling stories and giving a voice to the forgotten and marginalized…those who have no voices. And he does this all while peeking from behind the lens of a camera - Duley is a photographer…a very courageous, talented, and compassionate photographer.
The talk was originally at my friend’s home in San Francisco, but after the huge response, the event was moved to the Fort Mason Center. After a few yummy nibbles, a glass of wine, and lots of chatting with friends and new acquaintances, the event began.
Duley sat on a small stage, with a microphone in front of him, his MAC to the side and a big screen behind him. He began by speaking of his days as an editorial photographer in the fashion and music industries in both the U.S. and Europe…a dream job for many photographers. And although Duley stated that “he enjoyed it and had a lot of fun,” he said that he wanted to do something more…storytelling was something that he always wanted to do.
Following his passion, he ventured off to many different parts of the world, Sudan, Angola, Ukraine and Bangladesh, among other places, and began photographing people in their situations…in their lives, documenting conflict and economic hardship, recording their stories so that he could bring them back and other people might understand.
His photographs draw the viewer to the subject, creating intimacy and empathy for lives differing from ours only in circumstance.
“The family of Prymorska Street, Odessa, Ukraine, 2010.”
Odessa guidebooks suggest “do not talk to the street kids,” but Duley lived with these homeless teens in a squat while photographing them and describes them as “great kids.”
“Rohingya Refugee Portraits, Bangladesh, 2009.”
Forgotten in a refugee camp for the past 20 years, the Rohingya people lined up to have their portraits taken, amazed that their story was being told. This is Fatima, then age 10, with her younger brother Noru.
Then one day, doing what he loves to do most, he experienced tragedy, only this time it was very personal. While on assignment in Afghanistan, and on patrol with the 75th Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army in Afghanistan, Duley stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) and lost both his legs and his left arm. The stories that he tells about suffering and surviving now suddenly became his own.
As we all sat big eyed and glued to the big screen, listening attentively in silence, the photos that he took of his travels, the stories that were told photographically, ended. Then unexpectedly the next thing we saw was footage up on the screen, loud, graphic, and very real. The film was of Duley’s rescue after he stepped on the bomb, an event ensuring that his life would never be the same. Throughout the rescue he was awake and coherent, as medics rushed in to save his life.
It was a hard emotional watch, and we were told by Duley, something very rare to see, not only for the general public to witness, but how often does one get to observe their own life changing event on film? One can only imagine how it must be for him to see and listen to his story, as he plays it over and over again for his viewers to watch.
“At first, I was devastated by what had happened. I thought my work was over. [Nothing made] sense to me,” says Duley in a powerful, must-watch talk from TEDxObserver. “It was the stories I’ve documented that inspired me to get through the last year. To survive. To get back up on my new legs and to come tell their stories but also my own … To show that losing your limbs doesn’t end your life.”
He is now back working. His work has been exhibited and published worldwide in many respected publications including Vogue, GQ, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Sunday Times, The Observer and New Statesman.
In 2010 he was nominated for an Amnesty International Media Award and was a winner at the Prix de Paris in 2010 & 2012. His self-portrait was selected for the 2012 Taylor Wessing Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.
I got the chance to meet Giles Duley last night and speak to him for a few moments. He is a sweet, humbled man, with a strong heart for humanity…still out there doing what he loves most…telling peoples’ stories through photography. I admire his drive to continue his work even though it isn’t easy. He suffers daily pain, much like the people he photographs, but like those people, he does the best he can. Duley is courageous, living proof that losing your limbs doesn’t end your life.
If you would like to watch Duley’s TEDX Talk, click here. I would post it but for some reason I can’t seem to get the link from youtube. If you would like to read more about Duley, click here, or visit his website for additional info and to view more of his beautiful photographs.
Duley relies on donations to fund his travels so that he can continue telling the stories and ensuring those without voices are heard. If you are inspired by what you have read and seen, and would like to make a donation, click here. Thank you.
Peace & Love:”Live it, Give it.”…anyway you can.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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May 8th, 2014 at 11:15 am
Seems to be more than one Christopher posting and more than one Chris. Maybe I should change my log on.
Michelle: The topic of Net Neutrality has come my way again. You know how important this issue is. Below is a link for more information, a petition to sign, and a phone No. for FCC Chairman… Tom Wheeler. There is even a practice script on what to tell Mr. Wheeler. Something other than Tom, you stupid f***ing idiot, why are you giving our Internet away to Verizon?
People please help stop Verizon, AT&T, or any other corporate entity from taking control of your Internet.
URGENT: Stop the corporate takeover of the Internet
We only have until the May 15 FCC meeting to convince FCC Chair Tom Wheeler to withdraw plans to allow the corporate takeover of the Internet and an end to Net Neutrality. Make a call today.
Call FCC Chairman: Tom Wheeler at 202-418-1000
Verizon struck a mortal blow against Net Neutrality by persuading a federal judge to throw out the Federal Communication Commission’s Open Internet Order.
And now FCC Chair Tom Wheeler faces a choice — he can stand up for Net Neutrality or help Verizon kill it for good. The fate of the open Internet rests on this choice.
Over a million of us asked him to implement strong new Net Neutrality rules that will both pass legal muster and ensure Americans have access to a free and open Internet.
But instead Wheeler recently proposed a new set of rules that will put the final nail in the coffin for Net Neutrality. This is wrong.
We only have until the May 15 FCC meeting to push back hard enough to get Wheeler to change course.
http://act.credoaction.com/sign/verizon_netneutrality
May 9th, 2014 at 10:32 am
That was an incredible story Michelle. Some people are born to be heros. Giles Duley is certainly one of them.
May 9th, 2014 at 10:34 am
Frankly, I don’t know how one musters the courage to return to that kind of danger. More power to you Mr. Duley.
May 9th, 2014 at 10:37 am
Just the idea that you would consider giving up what I’ve been striving for three years now blows this 25 year old man away. I don’t even know what to say about you giving it up to get shot at or blown up.
You have certainly put my priorities into perspective. You are my Hero.
May 9th, 2014 at 10:39 am
Mr. Duley your story leads me the other way. I think of what you were trying to do and if there is a God he(no woman would be so cold) disfigured your body. I wonder if you still believe in a god?
May 9th, 2014 at 10:43 am
I am sorry for your loss, Sir. But I am happy to know that you are doing better. I lived in Darfur before we were pushed out. Thank you for making our story known with pictures that others can feel.
Abeeku
May 9th, 2014 at 10:47 am
Lisa#5, God didn’t take his life so He must of had more for Mr. Duley to do. I don’t think it is fair for you to as him if he still believes in God that way.
Read more about his life http://gilesduley.org/. I think you will find more than a one event man.
May 9th, 2014 at 11:38 am
Shame on you Lisa. God isn’t that easy to fantom. He/she has a way of doing things beyond the capacity of mere mortals to understand. I for one believe more in God than every after reading this inspiring story.
May 9th, 2014 at 11:40 am
I have always admired the pictures Giles sent back especially under the risks he took to get them. I hope some of you will dig deep and make a contribution. I am proud to do so.
May 9th, 2014 at 11:42 am
Giving to the cause is the best way to show your support and to help this brave man. I can’t image the courage it took to go back to doing what endangered him in the first place.
May 9th, 2014 at 11:43 am
Just when you are about to give up on men, one goes and does something like this. God bless you Giles Duley. I will definitely make a donation.
May 9th, 2014 at 12:02 pm
[…] Christopher: Done. Thanks. Here’s one to support your post from the website Save The Internet. […]
May 12th, 2014 at 11:25 am
[…] Christopher: I think you are reaching “regular reader” status. Since there are more than one “Christopher or Chris,” perhaps you should make your moniker unique. […]
May 17th, 2014 at 7:16 am
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Very well written!
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