John Kennedy's Funeral (top); Woodstock (bottom)
Photo Journalism
Photojournalism is an area of photography dedicated to taking accurate shots of current events. The basic mission of a photojournalist is to take pictures to accompany a news story (whether it is broadcast or published in a newspaper). However, truly great photojournalism pictures should tell the story BEFORE the text or broadcaster does.Photojournalism pictures attempt to capture the viewer’s attention and emotion to entice him to continue listening to or reading about the story. Think of newspaper covers with large, dramatic shots of the latest current event: these pictures reflect the articles’ titles while adding a dynamic edge to story by visually communicating the pathos of the event.
Photojournalists and Ethics A key aspect of photojournalism is to present accurate pictures that don’t compromise the integrity of the actual situation. Consequently, altering pictures with computer software is considered taboo among serious photojournalists and news organizations. This code of ethics is one of the central features of photojournalism that distinguishes it from other areas of photography.
Careers in photojournalism can be destroyed by even a hint of photo manipulation. For this reason, many photojournalists prefer to use traditional film rather than digital cameras. Although digital cameras allow photojournalists to review photos immediately in the field, digital images are easier to manipulate than film negatives.
Manipulating images can seriously damage a publication’s reputation, as happened in 1994 when ex-football player OJ Simpson was arrested on suspicion of murder. Both Newsweek and Time Magazine ran cover pages appearing to feature Simpson’s mug shot. Time, however, ran a photo-illustration based on the mug shot. While the magazine noted the image was a photo-illustration inside, a casual observer of the magazine cover would not be aware of this.
The issue caused a scandal, including accusations that Time was pursuing a racist agenda and presupposing Simpson’s guilt. The respected magazine’s reputation was badly damaged by the fiasco, highlighting the need for image integrity in photojournalism.
Photojournalism Art Photojournalism is primarily a practical form of photography, especially given the importance of maintaining the integrity of the scene. However, the field of photojournalism may also be considered to be an art form in its own right. Scene composition, choices of angles and lens choices all determine the impact and power of the resulting shots.
In recent years, more and more art galleries have displayed pieces of photojournalism, lending it more respect as an art form. Working within the boundaries of photojournalism ethics and still producing art can be compared to writing haiku poetry: part of the beauty or impact comes from how the photographer (or poet) works within the genre’s restrictions.
The definition of photojournalism as art does raise some problems for the standing ethics of photojournalism. While image manipulation is taboo for photojournalists, does this restriction apply to photojournalism used as art? If photojournalism images are manipulated in the name of art, people may be less willing to trust the images they see in newspapers and magazines.
Photojournalism Careers
Odd though it may sound, comic books have inspired more people to consider careers in photojournalism. Jimmy Olsen (Superman creator) and Peter Parker (Spiderman inventor) hearken back to the days when a camera and a good eye for detail were all that were essential for careers in photojournalism. (By the by, Peter’s tendency set up his camera to take pictures of himself as Spiderman go against the deepest ethics of photojournalism. For shame, Spidey, for shame!)
Today, courses or degrees in photojournalism or professional photography are often requirements for careers in this field. While this doesn’t mean that a talented amateur photographer can’t break into the field, editors are more likely to consider hiring someone with formal training. Courses in photojournalism are available at some colleges and most photography schools.
Photojournalism Examples The best photojournalistic pictures inspire the emotion of the scene within the viewer. Some of the more recent examples of photojournalism have been the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and the Iraqi War.
Good examples of photojournalism engage viewers and make them want to read the accompanying story. Perhaps the most powerful examples of photojournalism in recent memory were the images taken of the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York on September 11, 2001.
Images of the hijacked planes slamming into the towers shocked people worldwide. For many, these images continue to linger in and haunt the memory long after the words in the news articles have been forgotten.
Such examples of photojournalism convey the power and responsibilities of the professional photojournalist.
Photo Journalism is one area of photography we cannot do without. "A picture is worth a thousand words. . ." Journaling through photography captures events that create history, such as the photos above. However, the article also references photojournalism as art. . .can you see that? Do the words distract or add? Could some of the images below be considered a form photo journalism art? Do they tell a story? Pick one and explain the image, what is the intention and how it could or could not be photo journalism art.
Artist: Barbara Kruger (top and bottom)
55 comments:
Mary Kate McGuire
I feel that the words distract the reader from the actual picture. The words take away from the picture. The saying always goes "A picture says a thousand words". Let the picture do the talking. I feel that photos have more integrity and quality when they are left without any words on them. For example, the Thinking Of You picture is dominated by the words. in this picture, the eye is automatically attracted to the big red letters. If the picture was left without any writing on it, it would be much more powerful. I feel that pictures with words as the background add to the photo, but when they overpower a picture, it distracts the eye. To me, the pictures with huge letters are not a form of photojournalism art because they take away from the story that is trying to be told in the picture.
Alexis Holiday 4A
The article references journalism as art, which is true: a photograph reveals the artist's feeling, emotion and what they want to show, just like a painting, sculpture, ect. The words in the bottom two photographs distract from the photograph its self. They, to a photojournalist, not be considered a form of photojournalistic art; a photograph is supposed to say everything however, the text speaks instead. The text overpowers the photograph. The first photograph is of a man smoking. In real time, the man could be upset, happy, ect. but the text says "you are the perfect crime" which implies something completely different. The photograph doesn't speak for itself showing the emotion just like the top two photographs.
Aubrey Robinson 2A
Photojournalism can be considered art when it is the photograph that speaks the true meaning, emotion, and story behind it. Words added to a photograph subtract from the photo's integrity, losing any true art that could have been there. The last two pictures shown were taken over by the words added, and the photograph seemed lost. It's those types of photojournalism that cannot be considered art because the photo isn't speaking to us. Just as the article says, "A picture is worth a thousand words," so there shouldn't be a need to add anythign extra.
Andrei Rjedkin 2A
I believe that photojournalism is a form of art. Pictures tell us more than words. They help us see history and the current events happening in our world today. In addition, they add the feelings behind the picture. The bottom picture, I believe is not photo journalism. The caption "thinking of you" destroys it. The picture itself is great and effective without it. The intention of the picture is to show some sort of pain, readers/viewers don't need a caption to help them figure it out.
Ana Kudless 4A
The photo captioned “Thinking of You,” by Barbara Kruger, has the intention of asking the viewer what does the caption that was added after the photo have to do with the photo itself? In this photo the caption seems to be telling the viewer that the subject’s memory of someone is a painful experience. The words distract the viewer from the photograph. Instead of telling a story to the viewer, it presents the viewer with a problem to guess at. I think this photo is interesting as art that uses a photograph, but I do not believe this can be considered photojournalism art. In the first place, the caption was added after the photograph was taken. We know that journalism is supposed to provide “accurate shots of current events,” so this photo is not journalism at all. It is a posed photograph with words added at some later date, not a current event observed by the photographer. It is art, but not photojournalism art.
Chris Napoli 2A
Unforunately photojournalism is a picture that has been taken, which others can draw conclusions too, but never know the true purpose of the picture. These conclusions can build up and cause people to draw answers to those conclusions, which would be considered art. Photojournalism is to capture a moment of sadness or prosperity, which could draw attention to a certain subject by the masses who view it.
Zack Cusack 2A
Photojournalism is defined as the process of shooting very gripping photographs of events as they are happening to convey a story and establish a lingering historical significance within the photograph of the event. I do not consider the shots presented with text integration to be a form of photojournalism, as they have clearly been manipulated to contain text. Furthermore, the shots look like they were set up, quite frankly. In my opinion, the photographs are well shot, although the man smoking a cigarette is really a cliche of a subject, which is far too prominently featured in the same way in countless photographs. Having said that, I dislike the technique implemented upon the photographs of integrated text. Sure, it might convey an emotional appeal or a certain context to the image, but the text is way too blatant, and in my opinion, distracts from the images themselves. The text also looks like it was sloppily thrown in the photographs... As famous and well known the photographer who took these is for using text, I disagree with tampering with the creative perceptions generated by viewers of the images. I feel like art is about freedom, and seeing pictures how YOU want to see them, not through extremely direct ideas that the artist is trying to implement in your mind.
Kaila Van Fossan 2A
I feel as though photojournalism cannot really be in the same category as regular photography just because it's highly dramatic and serves only one purpose, to inform. When words are placed into the picture, I think it takes away from it. If you need words to describe the meaning of the picture, it's clearly not informative enough. Pictures tell stories without the help of words. I will select the top picture with the cigarette smoker. The words don't really flow with the whole idea. It doesn't need words to know it's a bad thing to do, smoking that is. I don't think it is considered art. I don't think photojournalism should actually have words on each photograph personally because it just doesn't look nice. Let the photographs do the talking.
Bill Terrarosa
The first picture says, "Smoking is bad, and you are killing yourself." that definitely sticks in my head better than words. It gives me an image that stays with me longer than words can.
Sam Marascio 3B
I think that the words to distract the person looking at the picture because the words might tell a different story then the picture does. For example the picture of the man smoking looks like he is enjoying his cigaret but the words which are describing smoking as a "crime" tell the reader that what he is doing is bad. To me this is a little contradicting.
Stephen Skop 4A
Photojournalism is art. The way it is depicted, though, is all dependent of the person who is looking at the picture, even if it is not the same view as the person who took the picture. I picture is a thousand words, but sometimes the text with the picture is viewed as more important than the overall point of the picture. Pictures should be doing all the talking, but the words can be very distracting to the depiction of the picture.
Shannon Pace
2A
When an exceptional photo is taken, then it is true art. However, when a photo is over-edited to look differently or to express a different message, the art aspect within the photo is lost. Too much editing can be a very bad thing. Photo journalism is an art and needs to be viewed as one, however with constant editing it makes it a lot harder for the reader or viewer to appreciate the art of the photo, especially when they cant experience the view of the photo from the natural perspective of which the photographer took it.
Michael Harran
Photojournalism is a great way to explain what is going on in a photo. Sometimes the words that a person add to their photo can ruin it and be a little too distracting, but sometimes it can help to explain what is going on in the picture. The photos below can be considered photojournalism but i believe that the words are a little distracting.
Kira Kasselman 3B
Having an eye for a photo that tells a story alone is true talent. Though when someone edits a photo to an extent that the whole image changes and does not even look like the same picture, i think that is over-editing. Too much editing or explanation for a photo can change the perspective of someone looking at the picture. An original picture that can express emotions alone, is a great photo.
Max Paris 3B
I feel that photojournalism takes away from the art. Art is supposed to be in a more visual aspect rather than having words hovering around the picture. When looking at a picture it puts a distinct image in my mind and the writing in the image might not fit with the photo. The writing could put an image in mind that tells you something different than what the photo is showing you.
Nolan Mendoza B3,
I feel that pictures can send a much more powerful and free message over just words. To combine the two may be powerful in a sence but you do not want to over do things. I believe the last two pictues are over the top and writing just makes it look tacky, though photojournalism can, in other times, but beyond powerful. A picture is worth a thousand words. No need to ruin the picture with a few more.
Austin Lloyd 3B
I feel that when a photo stands alone, it can tell a longer, greater story than when the picture is put to words. Words distract me from the actual beauty of the picture. Photojournalism is art, but a photo can speak for itself.
Terence Scanlon
Photo 3B
Photo-journalism is a form of art that is quite special. Unlike other forms of photography or art in general where the art is illustrated or taken for sheer pleasure or asthetic value, photo journalism is drawn in order to deliever a meaning full message. The pictures provided at the end of the passage did stick with me and made me think. The examples of pictures of 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina were clear examples of what photo-journalism is. Some ideas I thought of were pictures taken during the Great Depression to just show the attitude of America through a form of art.
Photojournalism can be considered art when it is the photograph that speaks the true meaning, emotion, and story behind it. Words added to a photograph subtract from the photo's integrity, losing any true art that could have been there. For example, the Thinking Of You picture is dominated by the words. in this picture, the eye is automatically attracted to the big red letters. If the picture was left without any writing on it, it would be much more powerful.
tajhi tomaino 3b
Photojournalism can be considered art when it is the photograph that speaks the true meaning, emotion, and story behind it. Words added to a photograph subtract from the photo's integrity, losing any true art that could have been there. For example, the Thinking Of You picture is dominated by the words. in this picture, the eye is automatically attracted to the big red letters. If the picture was left without any writing on it, it would be much more powerful.
Chloe Johnson 2A
Capturing the true feeling of a moment, especially one that is critical for the news, can be a very difficult thing to do without editing the photo. Many times editing a photo can take away from the real emotions of the photo without the photographer even knowing it and sometimes photos are better off unedited. Photojournalism is one of those cases. Photojournalists should get a lot of credit for the work they do. Many times people will judge whether or not they read an article based off the photos that are presented about the topic throughout the print. Photojournalists at times may be considered even more important than the people that write the stories and articles that they go along with because some people believe that only photos of an event can capture the true character of what occured.
Matthew Tuomenoksa 2A
After reading this article, this made me believe that photojournalism is not just about taking photos, but taking a photo at the right moment to tell a story. Also I thought it was interesting that it is common for a photojournalist to use a film camera instead of digital cameras, so that the photos can’t be digitally edited and you always have the negative. A photo in a newspaper should tell a story, because it draw attention to the article.
Francesca Veney 2A
I feel like photojournalism is very popular and plays as a key factor in today’s society because a lot of newspapers and blogs use pictures to capture the attention of their audience. With the internet being the number one reliable source, newspapers are in high competition because no one really buys them anymore. I highly agree with the article when it states that "Manipulating images can seriously damage a publication’s reputation...” because today as soon things hit the web especially if it’s negative people react in a bad manner. Sometimes the wrong things get in the hands of those who are powerful and it causes people their careers.
Rebecca Helstern
I can definitely see why photojournalism is viewed as an art. However, I feel that the words kind of take away from the picture itself. I would prefer a plain picture, rather than one with a sentence or phrase added in. Pictures with words can make a strong impact though. For example, the second photograph with the needle is very interesting. Without the words, one would wonder why the person is harming themselves. With the words “thinking of you”, it becomes clear that a specific person is the reason for that persons pain. I do think that the red outlining is a little too bold and I would like it better if the words were just plain white. This would make the words less distracting and take less away from the picture. Overall, I think that when done right, photojournalism can be very effective.
Erin Simon
The first picture portrays how smoking is your own crime that is killing yourself. This effects many people because the crime of smoking against yourself and how this picture shows how harmful it is can scare people into quitting and or stopping the harmful act. This is an art of photo journalism because it introduces a topic before a story is written about it.
I feel that a picture can send a more powerful message than words. Words can also stray away from the point of the picture or distract a viewer from the meaning of the photo. I still believe that photojournalism is art though.
I feel that a picture can send a more powerful message than words. Words can also stray away from the point of the picture or distract a viewer from the meaning of the photo. I still believe that photojournalism is art though,
Evan Wilson 2A
Gunnar Wainwright 4a
Photojournalism is a great media outlet for capturing the news. Photos that capture news have a much more powerful effect on people rather than just plain writing. Often, however, this photos are over -edited. I believe this distorts the true meaning behind the photograph. Reactions to events are open to interpretation, however, actual events are not.
Jake Cullinane 4A
In my opinion, the words in the first picture fit well. I feel that if the words were not there, i would have drawn a different message. The second picture sends a great message but also if the words were not there it would send the message of personal harm to oneself but the viewer would not know why. The negative aspect of the words though is the font choice. It does not blend well with the rest of the picture. Overall though, I believe that the words at a certain element of description to the pictures, but the words would have to be relevant and the font would have to blend well with the rest of the picture.
"Art" is too subjective for any attempt to determine what falls under it and what doesn't to be worthwhile. Words always add something, as they exist, but can of course also distract from pictures. I have no idea what the two pictures at the end of the article mean or what their intentions were. I can't imagine them having anything to do with journalism, but hypothetically anything could. I don't believe they were intended to tell a story, but any two events can form one.
Kyle Reinhardt
The words definitely distract the reader from the picture, however, it can also add content such as the pin photo. Without the words it is just a pin but with the words there seems to be a reason for the action that the reader views. The words in the smoking picture take away from the photo. A viewer's eye is pulled toward the words which also leaves a question on their mind, since the words can leave something open-ended and questionable.
Gerry Mollo 4A
In my opinion, I believe that the words distract the eye more than add to the image as a whole. It takes the focus off the picture and the meaning that it contains. When you add large, bright letters that distracts the eye from the background picture, the eye is more likely to look at the the letters than the image. For example in the picture that reads "Thinking of You", your focus is on the words rather than the black and white picture itself. Even though I believe that words can sometimes take away from pictures, like in this case, it is still a form of photo journalism art.
Kyle Mulholland 3B
The article calls photojournalism art. I agree with that because photojournalism shows events that reveal the emotions of the event. When I picture can show feelings I consider it to be art. I think the picture about smoking is considered photojournalism because the text does not overpower the photo. The text compliments the photo and gives it more meaning. As for the second photo, I think the text ruins the integrity of the shot, thus making it not photojournalism.
Frankie Juliano 3B
I think that it okay to put text on a photo only if it goes along with the picture and is not distracting. The first picture I would consider to be a good photojournalism example. The second picture I don't think look really good. The text in the second one is really big and takes up a lot of space in the pictures. It is really distracting and takes away from the meaning of the picture behind it.
Nick Krajewski 2A
This article really opened my eyes to how the world of photojournalism actually works. I never knew how taboo manipulating photos was in the world of magazine and news articles. I assumed that like many commercials and social media, the pictures were heavily edited in order to show the point properly. I agree wholeheartedly that photojournalism is a part that we absolutely need. In my opinion having pictures to accompany an article makes the experience much more enjoyable.
Coco Faiella 3B
I do believe that in some cases the words incorporated into photos add a sort of emphasis to the point trying to be comveyed. I do also believe that the words can take away from the artistic aspects of photos. In one of the examples cases, the words coming from the mouth truly help convey the message that is trying to be brought to the viewer's attention; however, in other cases, I believe that the words incorporated into the art distract from the true beauty of the work, almost making a more artificial display.
Ana Mastropiero B3
I feel that the words that accompany a picture in photo journalism add to the art. Though it takes away from the audiences ability to assume a story through the picture alone, the article brings relevance and information to readers who can then see what the scene looked like instead of imagining it. The words add explination on factual things whereas outside of photo journalism it is left up to the viewer. I think the top imagine represents photo journalism because it is taking something news worthy, such as people using tobacco, and making a factual point out of it with words. An article would also add to the picture which makes it a representation of photo journalism.
Elise Schoening B3
In a world filled with media and heavily-edited photographs, I found it shocking that photojournalists are forbidden from editing their photos. After examing the two pictures,I now understand this unspoken rule among photographers. In my opinion, the text in the first photo is okay. It does not distract the audience from the photo, but instead adds to the photo and helps clarify the photographer's intention. The text in the second picture does the complete opposite. Afterall, the picture that itself should be enough to attract the reader's attention and convey the message of the article.
I do realize that photojournalism is a form of art. i have seen some beutifull pictures and they can definitely be defined as art. i also feel like the words take away from the the picture. sometimes is better to look t is going on and think about it then to just read it. i feel that it creates more of an impact to think about it then not to. i dont think that the top picture is a form of photojournalism becasue its too dark and i feel that they have tampered with it to make it dark and make the smoke pot out more.
Jack Ketner 2A
The photo with the man smoking really stands out to me. It reminds me of mob times. I personally like the picture because of how the smoke is sitting in the air by his face. Without that little add in, the picture does not stand out. It is amazing how the little things in photography change the picture
paul cusa
Photojournalism is art. The way it is depicted, though, is all dependent of the person who is looking at the picture, even if it is not the same view as the person who took the picture. I picture is a thousand words, but sometimes the text with the picture is viewed as more important than the overall point of the picture. Pictures should be doing all the talking, but the words can be very distracting to the depiction of the picture.
i feel that words give the viewer more of a direction in the photo. but it takes away from the art. you cannot use the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" because it is not just a photo. the words dominate the photo. i feel that photojournalism needs to be honest, unedited, untouched photography. it needs tpo be as natural as can be.
Alana Roolaart 2a
if you put words on top of a photo it distracts the viewer from the image. it takes away from the simplicity and honesty of the photo. if you put wqords in front of it it changes the viewers' opinions of the photo itself. in my opinion this type of photojournalism is not true photography or a true art form. the point of photojournalism is to put words in the viewer's mouth without saying/typing anything.
James Mulligan 2A
This article really helped me understand photojournalism as a whole. I feel like photojournalism is not just taking a picture, but telling a story through a photo. Great photjournalism is when you can tell a whole story out of just one photo.
Brittany Somol A2
I believe that words can balance out and even add to the photographs. At the same time I don't consider these images to be photojournalism. Pictures of pins pricking fingers don't really seem to be photojournalism because it's more like artwork. I think that when words are added the point the artist is trying to portrey is more accuarate. A little spoon fed but it gets across the artist's intention. Without the words it could mean anything.
Michelle Reyes 4A
Photojournalism can be very interesting even though sometimes it can be used to promote negative things. It is a from of art in my opinion because words help understand the actually meaning of the picture. It catches the eye's attention when you see art mixed with words, its self explainatory and is also able for other to come up with their own meanings. I believe that photojournalist without words in the picture or with is still a form of art
Photojournalism is just as much art as any photography. However, I do believe that the words in the two images take away from the art aspect or the photos. Photojournalism images are supposed to tell a story. The words, in fact, do contribute to that story but the images should be capable of telling the story without the use of words in order to maintain the integrity of the art. Nonetheless, the words are distractful and confusing.
Ayana Spina 4A
(posted twice because the first one did not have my name)
Photojournalism is just as much art as any photography. However, I do believe that the words in the two images take away from the art aspect or the photos. Photojournalism images are supposed to tell a story. The words, in fact, do contribute to that story but the images should be capable of telling the story without the use of words in order to maintain the integrity of the art. Nonetheless, the words are distractful and confusing.
While some times words can help to portray an idea associated with a picture, they more often than not distract the viewer of the main purpose of the picture. Sometimes simplicity is the better of the options when submitting a photo to a newspaper. Adding words sometimes makes things feel almost like a movie poster, and not so much as an actual event or an actual problem. I was very interested in this article about the fact that some photographers still use regular film camera, so that it's almost guaranteed that the photos that they took are not doctored.
Oscar Garcia 4A
Is very impressive how the article relate journalism as art because it shows people's feelings when you are looking at it.This type of art permit viewers learn about how you can make an atractive and interesant message/picture from a simple image that let you know what the person in the picture felling is.
Linda Garcia
B3
I believe that photojournalism is an art as long as it express emotion, tells a story, and has no word included. If a photo has words in it, then it stops the viewer from expand its opinion and stays focus with the words rather than the picture itself. Sometimes it's good to have a few words but too much world may overdue it, causing it to lose its true meaning and having a new interruption.
Lauren Faherty B3
In my opinion, the words in the photo are hurting it. From a reader's perspective, the words are distracting. It draws attention to the words instead of the photo. Photojournalism cannot be grouped with regular photography because photography lis much more broad. I feel like the words should not be in the photo and that the meaning behind the photo should be implied and open. The words mimimize the window of thinking that the reader can have.
Dequanne Gibson 2A
Pictures tell many storys. In these pictures the one that stands out to me the most is the second picture. It basically telling a story that a person needs help. Also it can express the author showing there emotions by expressing it in a picture. A picture it self can tell a story so really no editing should be done because a plain picture can tell a story all by it self, the editing just helps add on to the story.
Deion Martin 4A
The photo with the caption 'Thinking Of You" appealed to me because it has a strong message. The words are problematic, and distact the viewer. Therefore it cannot be considder photojournalism. although there are artistic techniques used it is not based on a current event, which is a part of journalism.
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