Shaped By War: Photographs by Don McCullin at the Imperial War Museum 'The Review'

Where do I start 'absolutely fantastic' and even if you don't have an interest in photography I'd definitely suggest for all to go and view the exceptional, shocking and deep emotional war photographs of Don McCullin. Although my main interest in photography has not been of a documentary nature, after viewing McCullin's work, who is recognised as one of the greatest British war photographer's, I can appreciate the necessity of why the world is needed to be documented and recorded to show the very nature of the reality of what the average person does not see! Due to society not being as it is now photography and news articles where the main resource in which this hidden truth could be shared with the rest of the world. Through the eyes of Don McCullin, the production of his images takes us on many journeys, showing in great detail of the suffering and destruction caused by wars over the last 50 years.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/feb/07/don-mccullin-shaped-war-review

This is one of the most famous images of Don McCullin

Shell-shocked US marine, Hue, Vietnam, February 1968. Photograph: Don McCullin

Although the camera is directly in front of the marine you can see from his gaze that he is looking straight through and beyond the camera. A gaze of horror at the reality of combat which lies ahead of him. The utter shock that in minutes could be the last gasp of air that he will ever breath although knowing full well his job is morally sacrificing himself for the freedom of his country from their enemies. The shot is perfectly composed within the frame and masterly developed from the negative, given great attention to detail (i.e burning of the hands to depict a true resemblance of his hands / features) in the darkroom.