Stirring images from conflict-ridden zones accompanied with heart wrenching stories of the subjects in each of them; Welsh photojournalist Claire Thomas’ narration of her experiences during a seminar yesterday (Friday) ‘From Wales to War: A Journey into Frontline Photography’ during the ongoing Xposure International Photography (Xposure 2021), left audiences both moved and informed about the heroic efforts of frontline medics in the war against the Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq.

Claire instantly stuck a chord with the audience as she recounted the horrors of war as she referenced the powerful scenes she captured during her assignments in Iraq.

“In 2017, I documented the work of international medics operating out of makeshift field clinics behind the frontlines in Mosul. The photographs highlight the trauma faced by civilians caught in this war and also the incredible work of the volunteers who saved countless lives at great risk to their own,” she said.

“I joined a unit on the frontline and with my camera swinging around my neck and my helmet protecting my head. I spent a lot of time getting the whole picture and telling the human stories of people caught in the crossfire, all while taking shelter in deserted houses and rumbled neighbourhoods,” she recalled.

Talking about her journey from Wales towar zones, Claire said, “Following a few freelance assignments with local newspapers in Wales, I travelled to Palestine where I began producing photo essays about life in West Bank and the daily struggles of Palestinians. From there, I returned to Europe to cover the refugee crisis where I met many Kurdish and Iraqi families who had been displaced from their homes by ISIS. Hearing their stories, I wanted to better understand the horror that was driving people to flee their homes and risk their lives trying to reach the European shores.”

During the session she showcased some of the most remarkable pictures she took while covering the country’s struggle to defeat the extremist group followed by pictures depicting recovery from years of conflict.

One of the pictures that showed an acutely malnourished two-month old boy fighting for his life while being treated by medics drove home the understanding of high cost of war the innocent pay, especially children.

“I saw these people were without food and water trying to save their lives for many days. Some of them were critically malnourished,” she noted, adding, “A doctor contacted me after a couple of years to share that the boy got the treatment and was doing well,” she said showing the picture of a healthier Ibrahim.

She culminated her talk by underscoring the importance of photography as an art.

“Photography is important in confronting the horrors of war, putting a face to crisis and serving as reminder of the humanity,” she said.

The four-day festival, hosting over 50 world-renowned photographers from around the globe concludes today.