Foreign Policy is pleased to present this unique and remarkable collection of photographs, largely taken on iPhones (using an app called Hipstamatic that allows users to digitally manipulate "lenses," "flashes," and "film"), of the lives of U.S. Marines in Helmand province in 2010 and 2011 and of the Afghans they interacted with. It is by no means a comprehensive look at 10 years of war, but rather an evocative and profound slice of life -- at the beginning of the end of the longest conflict in U.S. history. This is part two of a five-part series.
- Part I: The War in Hipstamatic
- Part III: Female Engagement
- Part IV: Outside the Wire
- Part V: See No Evil
A U.S. Marine from Battalion 1/8 inspects the optics of his rifle on Patrol Base Talibjan in Helmand province, before going on an operation on Jan. 21.





(66)
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TONYY
12:33 PM ET
July 27, 2011
Nice if I can say...
that's a nice picture but that's also a war picture...
KATHRYNJWHITT
2:20 PM ET
August 21, 2011
sniper rifle
yeah I love this picture.
it reminds me of the days I used to play air soft war games. I modified a Dragonuv Rifle which did 1.2 FPS ouch. Depending on the range, sometimes it could pierce.
thanks for the picture - i think you have the best digital camera
JENELIYA27
8:49 AM ET
August 30, 2011
Nice collection
You are right.
It is really a nice collection with lots of photos that are not representing war.
You did a nice job.
Regards,
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RAVEN666
7:14 AM ET
September 4, 2011
Heavy Metal?
This is a beautiful picture of ugliness... Edsall history pages directories
PROSCH
10:37 AM ET
September 11, 2011
Thats a hard picure. I have
Thats a hard picure.
I have seen a translation from the website. Thats good. Übersetzung Übersetzung Deutsch Englisch Übersetzung Deutsch Englisch Übersetzung
LASTMAN
3:18 AM ET
September 13, 2011
War is a reality
Unfortunately in these times war is a reality and as much as we would all prefer to see pictures of war, it is important for every last one of us to stay in formed and up to date with these events, and these photo's give a great look at just was our troops are experiencing.
TEAMMATE
10:10 AM ET
July 28, 2011
Nice pictures
Although the pictures are nice but when I saw picture 5 I got shock. I would like to say that the marines have been provided poor communication system and for them making phone calls to their home is one of the difficult task. Why can't government provide some better communication systems such smartphones and tablets to these marine units, as these are best for connecting to their family and relatives. Tablets have become quite cheap such as Apple tablet or samsung tablet are affordable and our government can provide a couple of tablets to the each units.
ALEXTOYO
2:05 PM ET
August 27, 2011
Black Hawk Down
It actually looks like a scene from Black Hawk Down. I am not sure if any of you have seen that movie but I actually thought it left me hanging.
There is more info on IMDB if you want to watch free streaming movies online
ANDREW FORREST
2:20 AM ET
September 13, 2011
Great shots
I agree with this totally. Our troops really do need access to better technology to keep in touch with loved ones back home. It is no longer enough to just have the basics when smartphones and tablets should be available to all.
ORMONDOTVOS
4:21 PM ET
July 29, 2011
Pictures serve a purpose:
They inform us that Afghanistan is desolation, that war is hell, and that we need to stop trying to police the world.
Nothing beautiful to these frames from nowhere. They're the antithesis to what the world should be, and they don't tell us how to get there, just how far we are away.
SIMPLASTICS PLASTIC BINS
8:41 AM ET
August 9, 2011
wow
those pictures are amazing. It's a shame what is going on across the world...
Thanks for keeping us up to date on these issues.
THEREALADAM
11:27 PM ET
September 8, 2011
Best weblog
I agree with simplastics. Foreign Policy has the best weblog that I have found. That's why I keep coming back for more.
MATYCOR
4:42 AM ET
August 10, 2011
I agree with RACHEL, these
I agree with RACHEL, these pics are real beauty however it is sad that such thing are doing humans to humans. People wake up, there are not so much differences among us!!
MatyCor from Blog
DOUGIEL
11:02 AM ET
August 10, 2011
Another disturbing image
Seeing this image reminds me of a lone gunman aiming to shoot an animal. Where are we going with an image like this? War is not the way to go, we should be promoting images of people caring for each other, not shooting each other. I was reading on a social media marketing channel how a student who couldn't afford housing and had a massive debt where he couldn't use student loan consolidation, had to sell guns to survive. We need to get rid of this gun culture and images like this and promote a love culture.
MRMILL
2:27 AM ET
August 26, 2011
hi
Good stuff as per usual, thanks. I do hope this kind of thing gets more exposure.
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LASHUNDA SHECKLES
5:28 AM ET
August 11, 2011
Heavy Metal
In my opinion
This was the most difficult list to compile for the '80s.
Nothing stood out far above the rest of the pack as in many previous years,
but there were some really strong releases.
The top 10 has a wide variety of artists. There are extreme groups like Morbid Angel and Sepultura alongside commercial bands like Skid Row and Badlands.
Best Regards:kacey jordan
GUSHUNGO
3:28 PM ET
August 26, 2011
heavier metal
Personally I think that Aerosmith outshines the lot of them
JACKIESTRONGER
7:16 PM ET
August 15, 2011
Cool iPhone Mobile App
I’m not sure about the subject of the photo, however the iPhone Hipstamatic app has cool lenses. Very similar to the iPhone app picplz or Instagram where you can select different lenses to manipulate the image.
Cheers from the Flatmate finders
MIHAI15555
3:33 PM ET
August 29, 2011
Theat's a very nice gun..i
Theat's a very nice gun..i have an wallpaper on my iphone 5 with a gun exactly like theat .
JACKIESTRONGER
7:18 PM ET
August 15, 2011
Cool iPhone Mobile App
I’m not sure about the subject of the photo, however the iPhone Hipstamatic app has cool lenses. Very similar to the iPhone app picplz or Instagram where you can select different lenses to manipulate the image.
Cheers from the Flatmate finders
http://www.ychatter.com/AUS/flatmate_finders.html
NANCYS1
5:25 AM ET
August 16, 2011
Great app
I have to say great app, i will try it on my iphone and we'll see if its the app that takes the great picture or the user ^^
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PARACORD
12:36 AM ET
August 18, 2011
Nice photo
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude.. Thank you However I am experiencing issue with ur rss .
This is the best photo of the year. thank.
NOONIG
8:42 AM ET
August 18, 2011
thanks
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AXELBROOK
1:22 PM ET
August 18, 2011
You need to watch the show on
You need to watch the show on Fox News about what really caused this economic mess. It is using only facts to explain what went wrong and is not biased as the Far Left thinks it is. You can the rest of America could learn a lot by watching the show. relevé d identité opérateur It has been on several times..
CATER
8:02 AM ET
August 19, 2011
good news
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MIHAI15555
4:18 PM ET
August 28, 2011
Theat's a powerfull gun
Theat's a powerfull gun .
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CRAIGS
3:45 AM ET
September 6, 2011
Haunting image
What a haunting image of a soldier. Seeing that through the lens of an IPhone is quite full on. Anyway thanks for sharing that image. I'll have that image in my head, I'm making an all American red velvet cake recipe at the moment.
SIKIMOTO
8:08 AM ET
August 19, 2011
Looking
I saw a lot of website but I conceive this one holds something special in it. “It is the habit of mediocre minds to condemn all that is beyond their grasp news trailer.” by La Rochefoucauld.
KORORALAS
8:45 PM ET
August 19, 2011
best price electronics
Wonderful Principle best price electronics, although I would be in possession to say that given the abundance of views this has received it should be worth meditating about trying to cultivate the spelling and the english! Made a particularly good read though, terrific stuff.
ALEXFOX
3:44 PM ET
August 29, 2011
I like the pic. And thea's a
I like the pic.
And thea's a powerfull gun man !
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KYLE STREESEN
8:37 PM ET
August 22, 2011
guns
I don't really like the way people use guns but those are really nice pics, just like Mike Formary posted, taken from bylandorsea and first-byte last month.
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JAMESMICHEAL
4:19 PM ET
August 23, 2011
Why can't government provide
Why can't government provide some better communication systems such smartphones and tablets to these marine units, as these are best for connecting to their family and relatives earnextramoney. It is using only facts to explain what went wrong and is not biased as the Far Left thinks it is. You can the rest of America could learn a lot by watching the show. relevé d identité opérateur It has been on several times..
GUSHUNGO
11:23 AM ET
September 8, 2011
it's about software
Smartphones can't use PC software so the US investment would be wasted. Tablets can, but the weight gain over a smartphone eliminates the benefit - if you are going to carry the extra pounds then you might as well use a normal laptop and get the extra strength and robustness that comes with it.
CALCULATOARE
3:43 PM ET
August 24, 2011
the solution ?
War is the worst solution of human. Become a peacemaker. We should avoid the wars. Everyone doesn't want to have it. laptopuri second hand
THEREALADAM
4:50 PM ET
September 8, 2011
War quotes
Albert Einstein:
You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war
C S Lewis:
If war is ever lawful, then peace is sometimes sinful
Eleanor Roosevelt:
I cannot believe that war is the best solution. No one won the last war and no one will win the next
JFK:
Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind
FANATHIX001
5:57 PM ET
August 24, 2011
Beautiful and Deadly
These images were very well taken and kudos to the photographer. It's only a bit disturbing because these equipments on the photos are used to kill thousands of people and costs millions of dollars. It's a reminder that we are spending millions in eradicating humanity instead of using those money to help the needy. A sad fact that we have to face every day. Pacquiao vs Marquez Tickets
FANATHIX001
7:49 AM ET
August 25, 2011
The Good and The Bad
Those images looks very good but there are the good and the bad points on these images. They look very good in a person's point of view looking at the photographs but the meaning behind them is quite different. It's hard to appreciate photographs of weapons that kills. watch mayweather vs ortiz online
GUSHUNGO
11:43 AM ET
September 8, 2011
what about The Ugly ??
Come on, get your cliches right. It's the good, the bad and the ugly.
War pictures are ugly. The subject matter is horrific and when it is brought to life through visual means it makes it even worse than written on a page. Sorry to rock the boat but I can't agree that the pictures are "good" from an ethical viewpoint, even if it is a technical won der how they were taken without the photographer sustaining some form of accident or mishap.
GALLYCIUDAD
8:22 PM ET
August 25, 2011
What a Great Quality Photo
Wow that is a very good quality photo. Although this deals more with the add on hipstamatic and how good it has transformed an iPhone captured image into a splendid photo yet the main root is war on Afghanistan. In war nobody can be declared as a winner because both sides will absolutely suffer. But nevertheless going back to the software it is really a worth buy kind of Iphone addon. For sure just like this one Bluetooth Headset Reviews there are also positive reviews of hipstamatic on the web today.
FANATHIX001
10:46 PM ET
August 25, 2011
awesome photo
I love photography and i know how to see a good photo from a bad one. These images are definitely very good. mayweather vs ortiz live stream What I don't like about it is the message the photos invoke to the viewers and readers. Sure the photos looks amazing but the contents of it are not. ortiz vs mayweather live stream. No matter how amazing that looks, they're still weapons of destruction and if you have seen someone got shot or killed, you will never be able to see the beauty of watch mayweather vs ortiz live stream these photos rather the horror the weapons brings to ones life. I'd rather see a blurred photo of a cat swimming in a pool that these type of images. watch ortiz vs mayweather live stream
LOE
2:32 AM ET
August 26, 2011
Another Hero is Waiting the Right Opportunity to Hit his Target
United States has a lot of good sniper that has been trained physically and mentally because they have to work independently on every battle. Become a sniper is not easy, the training itself is hard.
They get special training like stalking techniques, call for fire rehearsals, field skills, firing up ammunition on long distance and also unkown distance qualification courses, using heavy metal like wobenzym n. I heard that the best sniper program or school in the world can be found in the marine Corps of U.S.A. The program is taught 2 times per year.
DUDESHANE01
6:31 PM ET
August 29, 2011
Hipstamatic???
So does this app called Hipstamatic actually modify iphone lenses.
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GREGNORMAN
1:06 PM ET
September 1, 2011
hipstamatic!!
Nice shot! the lights are amaing. To say it In the words of the Hipstamatic itself: Digital photography never looked so analog.And it’s simply true. The Hipstamatic iPhone app brings back the look and feel of those great, plastic film cameras of the good ol’ days and is as easy as Usenet Filme downloaden these days. If you don’t know an instamatic camera is or even how to load film into a camera, that’s okay. This app is still cool. For those of us who do remember, it’s even cooler. With the high film prices and even harder to find film types, the Hipstamatic is a great remedy for the film camera blues! I think I can say the same like you: one time Hipstamatic - forever hipstamatic !
CARAMELCAROL
4:14 AM ET
September 2, 2011
reply
Some of these shots are amazing, especially considering that some were shot on first generation iphones. I took a few good photos on my iphone, up until it fell in my swimming pools unfortunately. :( The nokia n8 is an even better phone, perhaps you guys should look into that for your next project? Check it out, it is the best camera phone available at the moment, and shots are better than the iphone due to the 12mp camera. Check out a few reviews if you dont believe me :)
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RNIELSEN
1:23 PM ET
September 3, 2011
amazing series
The entire 5-part series of photos taken by out troops and civilians is raw, gritty, and at times touching look into everyday life as it is in Afghanistan. I hope for their safe return. admin - office furniture Brisbane
FORCHEAPPRICES
9:55 PM ET
September 3, 2011
yes this is nice blog
The entire 5-part series of photos taken by out troops and civilians is raw, gritty, and at times touching look into everyday life as it is in Afghanistan.
i can be look for photo.
MATHALIE
4:55 PM ET
September 3, 2011
They inform us that
They inform us that Afghanistan is desolation, that war is hell, and that we need to stop trying to police the world.Nothing beautiful to these frames from nowhere. They're the antithesis to what the world should be, and they don't tell us how to get there, just how far we are away.United States has a lot of good sniper that has been trained physically and mentally because they have to work independently on every battle. Become a sniper is not easy, the training itself is hard.They get special training like stalking techniques, call for fire rehearsals, field skills, firing up ammunition on long distance and also unkown distance qualification courses, using heavy metal like wobenzym n. I heard that the best sniper program or school in the world can be found in the marine Corps of U.S.A. The program is taught 2 times per year.
FORCHEAPPRICES
9:52 PM ET
September 3, 2011
Nice photo in war
Nice photo in war
THEREALADAM
4:28 PM ET
September 8, 2011
Where are we?
This is Afghanistan, not the south of France. And not that long ago either.
MATHALIE
5:18 AM ET
September 4, 2011
Although the pictures are
Although the pictures are nice but when I saw picture 5 I got shock. I would like to say that the marines have been provided poor communication system and for them sázkové tipy making phone calls to their home is one of the difficult task. Why can't government provide some better communication systems such smartphones and tablets to these marine units, as these are best for connecting to their family and relatives. Tablets have become quite cheap such as Apple tablet or samsung tablet are affordable and our government can provide a couple of tablets to the each units.
GREGNORMAN
6:46 AM ET
September 4, 2011
great shots with amazing atmosphere
You really made some greats shots! One thing the people often forget is that the more abstract an image is, the more power it has for the viewer, because their visual lte sense must do more work to interpret it. And as the viewer interprets the image, they do so according to their own memories, experiences, and feelings. Therefore, if they have to do more interpretation, they very often come away with a stronger reaction to the lte 4g image.
This is why black and white or other hipstamatic filters for photography can be so powerful; with color stripped from the picture, it becomes more abstract, requiring the viewer to engage more closely with it. And this is one of the reasons why Hipstamatic or any other similar app like lte netzlte internet so often gives results that are far more engaging and emotionally satisfying than a “more realistic” image. thanks for sharing those photos!
HAFIZI84
10:46 AM ET
September 5, 2011
Nice photo
Really great photo..Sure the photos looks amazing but the contents of it are not.
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CRACKERMAN
9:28 PM ET
September 5, 2011
Shots of U.S. Marines on the front lines of Afghanistan
Brilliant and moving photography that shows a situation which many of us do not get to see. Hats off to the photographers who took these amazing shots. Starcraft 2 Tips
WEG BERLIN
9:20 AM ET
September 6, 2011
excellent anti war photo series
This series of photographs is really awesome. I checked all the photos and must congratulate you for your excellent anti war photo series.
Whoever made those photos has an excellent talent to make "the shot" with great atmosphere and lightning. Of course "hipstamatic" helped a lot but it's simply great work! I actually tried out hipstamatic for WEG Verwaltung Berlin aswell but didn't get the atmosphere on the photos I was looking for. May try that again.
Besides of that anyone looking through this series has to think seriously about the afghanistan campagnes. Wouldn't it be a better idea to leave them alone?
GUSHUNGO
11:00 AM ET
September 8, 2011
Not stock?
I admit they are very nice. So there is no stock photograph amongst these? It would make a stunning giveaway if there was one.
RNIELSEN
8:08 PM ET
September 6, 2011
Those are some impressive
Those are some impressive photos of some heavy duty firearms. I've fired an M2 .50 caliber machine gun which is commonly used by U.S. marines. Boy was that thing heavy, I had to put it down cause I started to feel a bit of lower back pain!
MYEGYFILMS
1:03 PM ET
September 7, 2011
I was very pleased to find
I was very pleased to find this web-site. myegy
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so Can I just say ????? ??????
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????? ???? what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and ????? ???
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MATHALIE
4:56 PM ET
September 7, 2011
Nice shot! the lights are
Nice shot! the lights are amaing. To say it In the words of the Hipstamatic itself: Digital photography never looked so analog.And it’s simply true. The Hipstamatic iPhone app brings back the look and feel of those great, plastic film cameras of the good ol’ days and is as easy as Usenet Filme downloaden these days. If you don’t know an instamatic camera is or even how to load film into a camera, that’s okay. This app is still cool. For those of us who do remember, it’s even cooler. With the high film prices and even harder to find film types, the Hipstamatic is a great remedy for the film camera blues! I think I can say the same like you: one time Hipstamatic - forever hipstamatic !his series of photographs is really awesome. I checked all the photos apostas desportivas and must congratulate you for your excellent anti war photo series.Whoever made those photos has an excellent talent to make "the shot" with great atmosphere and lightning. Of course "hipstamatic" helped a lot but it's simply great work! I actually tried out hipstamatic for WEG Verwaltung Berlin aswell but didn't get the atmosphere on the photos I was looking for. May try that again.
Besides of that anyone looking through this series has to think seriously about the afghanistan campagnes. Wouldn't it be a better idea to leave them alone?
GARYT23
9:51 AM ET
September 8, 2011
great article
really enjoyed reading that thought provoking article. gary
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MOLLY83
9:57 AM ET
September 8, 2011
Very though provoking
This article was very thought provoking. The photographs speak a thousand words. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great DJ work, Kindest regards, Molly
LAURA JONSTON
10:12 AM ET
September 8, 2011
amazing marines
i had respect for the marines before reading this but even more after reading this article . laura
PATRIOTICPARLANCE
1:20 PM ET
September 8, 2011
That is one tough looking
That is one tough looking marine, no one is going to steal his silver or kick sand in his face.
THEREALADAM
4:15 PM ET
September 8, 2011
Charles Atlas here
Well I could quite easily kick sand in his face and take his silver.
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MADCLIVE
12:30 PM ET
September 9, 2011
Amazing article and photos
This series of photographs is really awesome. I checked all the photos and must congratulate you for your excellent anti war photo series which I have found very entertainers, but at the same time, I've really had a good think about things we take for granted. All the best, MadClive
CHAIYA
6:46 AM ET
September 11, 2011
best Photo of the world
That is one tough looking marine,This article was very thought provoking. The photographs speak a thousand words. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great DJ work, Kindest regards, Molly
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MRMILL
2:12 AM ET
September 13, 2011
hi
Thanks for your sharing .Your thoughts are creative and they actually do help to me. It provides me with a lot of information. It is a nice post!
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