Those who will be remain unsung

Way back in January I first noticed the transition. As violence mounted in Iraq, suddenly, the pictures disappeared. The news services had decided that Iraq was simply too dangerous for Western reporters and photographers to go outside the Green Zone.

By February, the News services had switched and begun exclusively using local Iraqis both for their news gathering and photography.

I just wanted to take a minute to praise them. Without their unbelievable courage, our Iraq knowledge would be limited to information coming out of the military and the Green Zone, and there would be no images out of Iraq at all.

The "stringers" work largely anonymously, but the photographers publish under a name.

Karim Kadim, AP, Baghdad.
Mohammed Adnam, AP, Baquba.
Helmiy al-Azawi, Reuters, Baquba.
Thaier al-Sudani, Reuters, Baghdad.
Kareem Raheem, Reuters, Baghdad.
Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud, Reuters, Baghdad.
Ahmad al-Rubaye, AFP, Baghdad.
Ali Yussef, AFP, Baquba.
Wissam Al-Okaili, AFP, Baghdad.

There are many others, but this group represents the main source of the daily pictures from Iraq you see here.

They have been producing those photos from some of the hottest spots with virtually no security at great risk to themselves and their families. Through their courage, they have allowed the world small glimpses into Iraq when otherwise there would be none.

I just wanted to make a point to say thank you (and be careful.)