Point & Shoot: Australian veterans share their Afghan experience in new exhibition

29 September 2026

More than 30 photographs taken by Australian veterans during their service in Afghanistan are being brought together for Point & Shoot, an exhibition offering a personal perspective on military service through the eyes of those who experienced it.

The exhibition, which opens at Sydney's Anzac Memorial on 29 September, marks the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan. Each photograph is accompanied by a personal story, providing context and insight into the experiences behind the images.

Khod Valley, Afghanistan 2011. Up at 0400 and after 8 straight hours of combat operations in enemy dominated territory, the sound of US Blackhawks was most welcome. However, our work was not complete. After 2 hours crammed inside an overloaded helicopter, we reacted to a high value target who presented on the way home. Within an hour of extraction out of the Khas Uruzgan area the troop were conducting more operations very close to sunset. Just another long day.
Photo by Harry Moffitt. — Khod Valley, Afghanistan 2011. Up at 0400 and after 8 straight hours of combat operations in enemy dominated territory, the sound of US Blackhawks was most welcome. However, our work was not complete. After 2 hours crammed inside an overloaded helicopter, we reacted to a high value target who presented on the way home. Within an hour of extraction out of the Khas Uruzgan area the troop were conducting more operations very close to sunset. Just another long day. Photo by Harry Moffitt.

Rather than presenting a traditional military history, Point & Shoot focuses on the individual perspectives of veterans, using photography as a way to document places, people and moments encountered during their service.

The project was launched in 2020 by Point Assist founder Mark Direen, a former Infantry and Special Forces soldier who served for more than 25 years and completed six overseas deployments.

Drawing on his own experiences, Direen established Point & Shoot as a creative outlet for veterans to share their stories and perspectives through photography.

Jalalabad Airfield Tower, Afghanistan, 2006. The Afghan National Army guard tower at the perimeter at Jalalabad Airfield. I was there to recon the adjacent orchard fields which were mined. Security was very lax so not surprised when a few weeks later they were hit with suicide vehicle bomb (SVBIED) at the gate.
Photo by Alex Thomson. — Jalalabad Airfield Tower, Afghanistan, 2006. The Afghan National Army guard tower at the perimeter at Jalalabad Airfield. I was there to recon the adjacent orchard fields which were mined. Security was very lax so not surprised when a few weeks later they were hit with suicide vehicle bomb (SVBIED) at the gate. Photo by Alex Thomson.

The resulting images offer a glimpse into military life beyond the formal record of operations, capturing the environments and experiences encountered by Australian personnel during their deployments.

The 2026 exhibition forms part of the NSW Government's acknowledgement of the 25th anniversary of Australian service in Afghanistan, recognising the service and sacrifice of those who served in Afghanistan and the Middle East Area of Operations.

Uruzgan, Afghanistan, 2011. Escorting a casualty to a US Aero Medical Evacuation helicopter for transportation back to Tarin Kot medical facility following an Improvised Explosive Device in the Karmisan Valley.
Photo by Jo Lovell. — Uruzgan, Afghanistan, 2011. Escorting a casualty to a US Aero Medical Evacuation helicopter for transportation back to Tarin Kot medical facility following an Improvised Explosive Device in the Karmisan Valley. Photo by Jo Lovell.

Point & Shoot is on display in the Anzac Memorial's Auditorium from 29 September 2026 until 31 January 2027.

Access to the exhibition is dependent on the Auditorium's availability, so visitors are encouraged to contact the Memorial in advance on (02) 8262 2900.

You can find out more information about Point & Shoot here.