Cracker by Damian Christie

There are plenty of smiles here, but not for the camera, and I wonder why our default pose involves a stupid grin

According to the excellent Genius of Photography documentary series, the "smile for the camera" idea was promoted by Kodak when they first started advertising their cheap, consumer cameras.

For the first time, it was possible for ordinary people to take photos, and photos that didn't require sitting still for ages. So rather than the stone-faced portraits of older times, it was now possible to photograph someone smiling.

I guess the good people of Afghanistan missed the memo on that.

I'm not into smiling for the camera. It's as if to say, "Look at me! I'm happy all the time!" when in reality the "happiness" exists only at the moment the shutter is opened.

My response to your blog is of sadness and wonder and maybe optimism. but the Russians could not "capture" Afghanistan. Who can or would want to? Some medals were stolen from the Army museum in NZ and this is a "shocking" event. Put in the context of life in Afghanistan the mind struggles. Thanks for the commentary Damian.

The second photo (labourer at wind farm 2) is a clever photo because of the frame of the window behind the subject. He's an interesting looking subject too. I can't wait to read about Pakistan and see the images.

I've just finished The Kite Runner too so have been enjoying reading your blog, Damien and yes, I thought there was something very familiar about the Wazir Akbar Khan district you mentioned. It's a great read, very sad but possibly the saddest thing was how Kabul sounded kinda cool (in a rough and robust sort of way) in the 1960s and early '70s before the nutters took over.

The second photo (labourer at wind farm 2) is a clever photo because of the frame of the window behind the subject.

Interesting. I was reminded of this for no good reason, other than I was...