Photojournalism With Cengiz Yar From High School Hobby to War Zones: Self‑Care Secrets & the Story Behind This Alabaster Grave
📚 Overview
In this episode of 10 Frames Per Second, award‑winning documentary photographer Cengiz Yar (visuals editor at ProPublica) shares:
- How a high‑school love of photography turned into a career covering Iraq, Syria, and beyond.
- The challenges of freelance photojournalism – from finances to safety.
- The creative and emotional process behind his first monograph This Alabaster Grave.
- Practical self‑care and trauma‑informed strategies for journalists on the front lines.
If you’re an aspiring photojournalist, a media professional, or simply curious about the human side of war reporting, keep reading. You’ll walk away with actionable tips, real‑world insights, and a deeper appreciation for the power of images.
🎞️ The Road From a Junior‑Year Camera to Conflict Zones
| Stage | What Happened | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| High School | Started shooting as a form of self‑expression (drawing, poetry, music). | Photography can be a language for emotions before it becomes a career. |
| College (Business Degree) | Studied business to secure a stable income, while still shooting on the side. | A non‑photo background can still fuel a later career in visual journalism. |
| Study Abroad – China | Borrowed a friend’s digital camera; first time abroad. | Early exposure to new cultures expands visual storytelling perspective. |
| Post‑Graduation (2008‑2009 crash) | Traveled to Thailand to teach English; bought a Nikon D60. | Economic downturn can catalyze bold, low‑cost adventures. |
| Bangkok Protests (2010) | Documented the Red‑Yellow shirt conflict for 10 weeks. | First “real” fieldwork revealed photography as a job—documenting history. |
| Freelance Leap | Published in CBC; kept sharing with friends/family. | Building an audience starts small—family, friends, local media. |
| Syria (2012) & Iraq (2014‑2017) | Learned on the job from peers like Alice Martins, Manu Bravo, Ivor Prickett. | Peer mentorship is priceless; safety tips often come from fellow photographers. |
| Mosul, Iraq (2016‑2017) | Covered the nine‑month battle and its aftermath. | Long‑term immersion yields depth and trust in the community. |
| ProPublica & Editing Roles | Transitioned to photo editor after the war; worked for The Guardian, Rest of World, Roads & Kingdoms. | Editing experience rounds out a photographer’s toolkit and advocacy power. |
📖 Inside This Alabaster Grave
Why the Title Matters
- Alabaster – the soft stone used to build Mosul’s historic Old City.
- Grave – the same stone became literal tombs when bombing reduced neighborhoods to rubble.
Cengiz says: “The alabaster that built Mosul turned into a graveyard for its own people.”
From 5,000 Raw Shots to 150 Curated Images
- Initial Cut – narrowed 5,000 war‑time photos to ~150 that answered “What is the true cost of war?”
- Checklist Method – identified missing angles (architecture, portraits, cultural artifacts) and returned to Iraq for extra shots.
- Wall‑Testing – printed all 150, taped them on a studio wall for months, reshuffling until patterns emerged.
- Sequencing – worked with designer Jason Knoxville to create “undulating tension” – waves of visual emotion that rise and release.
Publishing the Book Yourself
- Imprint: Ocotillo Press (named after a thorny desert plant in his backyard).
- Learning Curve: Shipping, print proofs, box selection, and distribution—all taught by industry mentors (e.g., Ben Brody).
- Goal: Not just a profit‑making product, but a platform to help other photographers publish without the usual barriers.
🛡️ Cengiz Yar Offers Trauma‑Informed Self‑Care for Photojournalists
“If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of your family, your work, or the stories you want to tell.” – Cengiz Yar
Core Practices
| Practice | How It Helps | Tips to Implement |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy & Professional Support | Provides a safe space to process trauma. | Find a therapist experienced with first‑responder or journalist trauma. |
| Nature Escape | Physical activity reduces stress hormones. | Schedule weekly mountain‑bike rides, hikes, or camping trips. |
| Boundaries & “No” Skills | Prevents burnout and dangerous over‑exposure. | Practice saying “no” to extra assignments that compromise safety or mental health. |
| Community & Peer Debrief | Shared experiences normalize feelings and foster resilience. | Host regular debrief meals (e.g., BBQs) with fellow freelancers. |
| Trauma‑Focused Workshops | Gives concrete tools for coping on assignment. | Attend Dart Center’s Ochberg Fellowship or similar trauma‑informed programs. |
| Digital Detox | Limits re‑vicarious trauma from constant media consumption. | Set “no‑screen” hours after a day’s work in the field. |
Quick Self‑Care Checklist (Print & Pin to Your Workspace)
- ☐ Schedule a therapy session each month
- ☐ Ride or hike at least once a week
- ☐ Decline one assignment that feels “too much”
- ☐ Host a peer debrief dinner every two weeks
- ☐ Complete a trauma‑informed workshop annually
📸 Cengiz Yar’s Practical Advice for Aspiring Photojournalism Students
- Start Small, Think Big – Use any camera you have. Your first impactful story (Bangkok protests) came from a borrowed DSLR.
- Leverage Your Business Skills – Understanding budgeting, contracts, and negotiations is a huge asset in freelance work.
- Network on the Ground – Live with other journalists and aid workers; they become your source of jobs, safety tips, and emotional support.
- Create a Personal “Litmus Test” – If your work changes the mind of one family member or friend, you’ve succeeded.
- Diversify Distribution – Don’t rely solely on Instagram. Use newsletters, zines, galleries, and printed books to reach audiences that actually engage.
- Document Systematically – Keep a master hard‑drive, backup daily, and maintain a spreadsheet of image metadata (location, subject, story idea).
🗺️ Where to Find More
- Podcast: Listen to the full episode on 10 Frames Per Second (new episodes Tuesdays, 10fps.net).
- Book: Purchase This Alabaster Grave through Ocotillo Press or major retailers.
- Work: Follow Cengiz Yar’s photo essays at ProPublica and his past pieces at The Guardian, Rest of World, and Roads & Kingdoms.
- Resources for Trauma Care: Visit the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma for workshops, webinars, and toolkits.
Takeaway
Cengiz Yar’s story proves that creativity, resilience, and community can transform a personal passion into a career that documents history—and that caring for your own mental health is just as vital as caring for the truth you capture.
Ready to pick up your camera and tell the world a story? Start now, stay safe, and remember: one powerful image can change one mind.
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The post Episode 180: Cengiz Yar (Conflict Photography) first appeared on 10FPS A Photojournalism Podcast for Everyone.