Understanding the poem ‘War Photographer’ by Carole Satyamurti

Satyamurti is a sociologist with an interest in the stories people tell about themselves. The poem was published in the 1980s, against a backdrop of conflicts: the Falklands War and the Arab-Israeli conflict. The poem addresses the contrast between the atrocities of war and those safe at home. The ‘story’ behind many images of conflict published by the media can often be misunderstood. A war photographer's job is one with moral implications: they raise awareness of conflict but are powerless to help.