Giles Duley: Changing lives with photographs

Giles Duley, an award-winning British humanitarian photographer, believes that photography is still very powerful as a medium in modern day and that his photographs can change the lives of the people.

Duley, through his photographs, documents the challenges faced by the people and how they live with the consequences of war. He is in Doha as part of a World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) – an initiative of Qatar Foundation -curated art exhibition currently on display at the Fire Station. The exhibition ‘Artistic Dimensions to a Healthier World’, explores the relationship between art and health, particularly in conflict zones. 

“As a photographer, part of my job is to photograph and collect stories. And other important part is to tell the stories. I was very excited when WISH offered me to have this exhibition,” Duley told The Peninsula.

The exhibition features Duley’s indoor collection ‘Iraq: An Open Wound’ which depicts healthcare and rehabilitation efforts in Mosul by health charity, ‘EMERGENCY’, while outdoor exhibit ‘Disability and Armed Conflict’ gives insight into the lives of people with disabilities during armed conflict.

The key part of his work exhibited are from the ‘Legacy of War’ photographic project which explores the long-term effects of global conflict.

“I try and tell stories with a sense of humanity. Some of the photographs are of people laughing, holding hands and of course I highlight the horrors of war. I want to remind people that those in conflict zones are also families like us and there is shared humanity,” he added.

Duley often cooks with people before photographing them. He believes that it is convivial thing that makes a connectivity with others.

Emphasising on a photograph close to his heart, Duley pointed at the one, of a wounded hand with a sign of victory.  He said, “Dawood Salim, a 12-year-old boy who was very badly injured in Mosul. He had lost both of his legs and most of his right hand. I’ve been sitting and talking to him. But I was not ready to take a photograph. Then his mother asked, “Why wouldn’t you photograph my son? When a child is injured like this, the whole world should see.”

This story has a special meaning for Duley, who lost both legs and his left arm after stepping on an explosive device in Afghanistan in 2011, whilst on photographic assignment to document the horrors of war.

“When I took the photograph, Dawood showed the sign of victory, strength and peace. He was still in so much of pain, he had no idea of his future but he had hope.”

“The story is so important for me, because I have seen the worst crisis of humanity, but within that darkness, I also see the resilience and strength and that’s what I’m trying to focus on. It is important to show the reality and also remind people there is hope within the darkest places,” he said.

Prior to documenting humanitarian issues and the consequences of conflict back in 2000, Giles worked for ten years as an editorial photographer in the fashion and music industries.

“When I was 18 and given a camera was like I was given a voice. Suddenly, I could communicate with the world, and that was through photography. For me, it is not why I chose photography but it chose me,” said Duley.
“Those days my work was really about selling photos and advertising. When I stopped taking for myself and taking photographs for others, I realized that I could help people to tell their stories and the photography is an incredible instrument for change. I photograph in black and white, it captures emotions a moment of life and hope. Those images will stay in people’s mind,” he added. 

In advice to others looking to make a change, Duley said, “It is important for a journalist or photographer to listen and understand the story before telling it to others.” 

Duley will lead a public talk detailing his personal story at the Fire Station Cinema today and host a photography workshop on Thursday.