18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
War Tourist

Kuba, a young Czech photographer, joined for my second trip to Ukraine. His attitude towards visiting the conflict zone was very similar to that of many other young men who join the army and voluntary battalions – he wanted a taste of the action. This chase for that natural high associated with death and danger is something that infects and drives many young journalists – even myself. This is one of the reasons why we have so many photos of men with guns, and not nearly enough stories about the complicated issues which exist on the ground next to the line of fire.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 12.2019
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Donetsk, Ukraine
Copyright: © Samuel Eder