Defence Through The Lens
To mark World Photography Day Sergeant Ross Tilly and Petty Officer Owen Cooban pick their favourite images from their careers as military photographers.
From the dust and dirt of a warzone to the gleaming uniforms of a parade, military photographers capture the images that show the reality of life for UK servicemen and women. Those who capture these images are servicemen first and photographers second, deploying with their rifle as well as their camera, taking the same risks as others but also giving the public a unique, up-close view of the realities of conflict. Away from operations they capture the day-to-day reality of military life.
Name: Sergeant Ross Tilly
Service: Royal Air Force
Years in service: 27 years
As an RAF photographer, you get to see and do things that no other trade in the Service gets to do, whether it be photographing the Royal Family, or capturing air to air refuelling at thousands of feet above Afghanistan. I have photographed some incredible things in my time and I still consider it as the best job in the RAF. To pick just five images is difficult, but I hope that my choice reflects the diversity of my role as an RAF Photographer.
Refuelling at 20,000 feet
This photo was taken from the back of a US KC-135 refuelling an aircraft thousands of feet above Afghanistan. It shows a US Air Force F-16 fighter jet moving into position to be refuelled. Placing myself next to the guy who operates the refuelling probe at the back of the aircraft, I literally had to lie on my stomach and compose the shot looking through the observation windows. Using a 200mm lens enabled me to get the tight crop of the pilot as he was looking up.
Afghan child
I took this photograph of a young Afghan boy in a small village whilst on patrol. The British troops were having a meeting with the village elders in this small hut and this boy was watching me as I was taking pictures. I showed him the images on the back of the camera and he was fascinated. He gestured that he wanted to use my camera, so I handed it to him and he put it up to his eye, I grabbed the shot of him with my other camera. The children I met out there were very curious about everything, they were so friendly and always smiling which surprised me considering the environment they grew up in.
The roof of Buckingham Palace
During my tenure working for the Ministry of Defence in London, I have got to take photos from some very privileged positions. This image of the Red Arrows flying over the top of Buckingham Palace was for the Queen’s Birthday Parade, from the roof of the Palace you get a unique view and it was a day I will never forget.
Comrades
This was taken in 2005; it was during the 60th Commemoration of the Second World War event held in St James’s Park in London. I had been photographing Prince Charles visiting veterans earlier and was making my way back to the office to start editing when I noticed these two old boys sitting and chatting by the Guards Memorial just across the road. It was one of my favourite images from the whole event.
Chelsea Pensioner
I was covering a job at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, I had already shot a portrait of one of the pensioners but on the way out I noticed this old gentleman sat on the bench by the entrance. It was too good an opportunity to miss the shot, so I went over and asked him if I could take his picture, to which he replied “Of course but I don’t want this in it”, he was talking about his walking frame, so we moved it out of shot. His name is Frank Mouque, he is 91 and a D-Day veteran. A wonderful gentleman and I felt quite honoured to take his photo.
Name: Petty Officer Owen Cooban
Service: Royal Navy
Years in service: 18 years
I’ve been in the Royal Navy for 18 years and lucky enough to serve as a photographer for 14 years.
As a photographer, you serve on many ships covering a vast array of tasks from hurricane relief, counter narcotics, security patrols, intelligence, and anti-piracy operations. I love my job, and I personally don’t think there is a better job in the military….. ok maybe an F35B Pilot!
Pirate Hunting
This image shows a Royal Marine boarding team loading on to a RIB ready to board a skiff to stop pirates in their tracks. I particularly like this image as it was very rough and it made for a more dramatic shot. I spent 11 months away in a year covering anti-piracy operations! It was a long time away from my then girlfriend. Being away for so long I had the chance to save a lot of money to buy a ring to make our relationship more official…. She said yes on Christmas day in 2009 when I was home for two weeks leave.
Vertical Drop
This photo was taken during my time off the coasts of Somalia conducting anti-piracy operations. I was onboard HMS Chatham at the time which was my third ship of the year. I spent far more time in the air during this trip and got to know the aircrew very well. I asked to cover this manoeuvre which isn’t done normally and is very difficult to do in a Lynx helicopter. It was a shot I’ve wanted to do for many years but had not been able to achieve. I still look at the image now and wish the ship was larger and more central in the photograph but as you can imagine you don’t have long to get this type of shot. A good photographer will always find ways to improve his work, no shot is perfect!
Angelina
As a military photographer we get to cover some amazing events with some very high profile dignitaries and celebrities. One which really has memories for me was a recent trip I did out to Kenya to cover Angelina Jolie in her role as an ambassador for the United Nations, campaigning for the end of sexual violence in war zones. Angelina was so passionate about campaigning to stop the horrendous acts of sexual violence and that really came across in the pictures. She was caring and fully engaged with all who she met during the trip.
Remembrance Sunday
Every year I work in London at the cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday. I try to cover a different vantage point each year so I can take different photographs. I took this photograph from the roof of the Cabinet Office whilst poppy wreaths were being laid. I saw a gap in the centre of the shot and took this as the man walked into the gap to lay the wreath. I really like the colours in this shot. Remembrance Sunday is really special for me, to take time out to think of lost colleagues and give thought to who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
HMS Warrior
This photo was taken as I was about to go onboard to cover an official function many years ago. It was a beautiful sunset and the conditions were just perfect to take this image. HMS Warrior holds a lot of special memories for me now as my wife and I got married onboard in 2011.
If you would like to become a military photographer transfers are available internally in the Royal Navy and Army. You can apply externally to be a Royal Air Force photographer, for more information click here.
