As freelance photojournalists a lot of what we do is in isolation. However, occasionally you find yourself working on a story in competition with other members of the media. It is during these times that bonds are formed. Colleagues become life-long friends and you find yourself a member of a unique global community. You catch up in exotic watering holes and swap stories, laugh, trade insults and argue about everything from ethics to the quality of the best local beer. In the field you watch each other's backs. You develop respect for the integrity of your colleagues and draw inspiration from their work.

Whether it is photographing issue-related stories such as HIV/AIDS, or Third World conflict, or shooting daily life, photojournalists are expected to record what they see in a fair, truthful and informative way. They offer us stories of struggle and hope and document the aspirations and traditions of the World's peoples. Some photographers push visual boundaries with complex compositions that can tell you as much about the photographer as the subject, using their mind's-eye to record reality as art. Others seem less interested in making a 'good photograph' as they are about gathering evidence; creating images that will influence public opinion and go on to have historical significance.

Photojournalism is a precarious, often frustrating, occasionally wonderful way of life. Photojournalists are not protected from the reality of what is happening in front of them and are not immune to the effects of human emotion. Whatever the motivation to pursue this type of work--whether it is a sense of tradition, professional principle or humanitarian concern--in the hands of these dedicated professionals the camera has become a significant story-telling tool. Whether they are completing a personal project in some remote part of the world or working alongside their colleagues in the latest hotspot, photojournalists will continue to offer us a glimpse into the human condition. ©David Dare Parker