So, I hoped to have this post up in time for Memorial Day, but that obviously didn’t happen. I wanted to share some of the war-related photo books I’ve collected as well as links to some of the photographers I think have done a remarkable job covering not only the front lines, but the home front as well. Before I get to the books, here are a couple of links to some incredible war reportage:

David Guttenfelder – Captured Collection and his iPhone photos from Afghanistan
The Big Picture – Afghanistan, May, 2010

Nina Berman, Purple Hearts – Back from Iraq
Trolley, 2004
Hardcover | 96 pages | $5.26 (found at a local book store 2/12/08)

I lucked out by finding this book on my lunch hour a couple of years ago. It’s moving, graphic, and very real. Copies aren’t hard to come by and I highly recommend picking one up. You can see her multimedia piece on Purple Hearts here.

Ashley Gilbertson, WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT
The University of Chicago Press, 2007
Hardcover | 264 pages | $25.55 (Amazon)

Ashley Gilbertson is an incredible photographer and human being. The images of WHISKEY TANGO FOXTROT speak for themselves, but Gilbertson’s writing is notable as well. Since joining the VII Network, Gilbertson has produced several other moving pieces of work, including Shell Shock. Be advised, there’s some strong language.

Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, Kael Alford, Thorne Anderson, Rita Leistner, Unembedded
Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 2005
Softcover | 192 pages | $13.19 (Better World Books)

This book was another great find. The foreword is by Philip Jones Griffiths and the accompanying text and photos are a harsh visual reminder of the cost of war, both military and civilian.

Last, but certainly not lease (for me), I finally made the switch to a full frame camera body with the Canon EOS 5D. I traded my Canon EOS 1D Mark II, which was a great camera, but for my needs, the 5D works perfectly. I know, I know. The 5D has been out since 2005 and it’s now 2010. So I’m a little slow. I made the switch to Canon in the latter part of 2008 before going to India. I knew at the time I’d someday like to shoot full frame EOS cameras, but couldn’t afford to. Fortunately, I found a local shooter on craigslist who was interested in an even trade and we made the deal. Would I like to own the 5D Mark II? You bet. In fact, if you’d like to contribute to the Take Your Camera for a Walk 5D Mark II Fund, just let me know and I’ll be quite thankful. Sample images will be up soon.