Photojournalism

UNIT 57- PHOTOGRAPHY- What is Photojournalism?

Introduction:
The task was to research photojournalism and find out interesting facts about this field of photography. We had to research what photojournalism is, the effects of photojournalism on the photographers and then we had to explain our thoughts.

What I learnt:
This task was interesting because it broadened my knowledge on photojournalism, there were a few challenges such as research wise to find accurate facts.

How will this help me with the course:
This research will help me during my course, as I now understand what photojournalism is. This will give me an insight into what photojournalism is all about.

Photo journalism

What is photojournalism?

• Documenting Events
• Documenting the news stories
• Telling a story- Aiding that story
• Documenting a period of time
• Documenting culture and society
• Capturing an artistic/subjective image of something that is somewhat normal

Impacts/Effects of Photojournalism on photographers and on how photos are used

• Pictures can be staged- Subjective
• Images can tell a story whether that is positive or negative. Photos can be seen in a different light by different people. We at home would see the wars as atrocities however soldiers doing the killings may think that the photos are showing them in a positive light
• A picture tells a story but not the whole story sometimes
• Pictures tell the absolute truth whereas spoken/written word can be manipulated/censored
• Photojournalism involves capturing events but it is difficult to get directly involved or intervene in dangerous events
• Photojournalism is a dangerous job in certain circumstances
• There are certain moral dilemmas with being a photojournalist in some very harsh environments and dangerous locations of the world such as in a war zone. One dilemma faced is whether or not it is right to take photo or if it is worth it to reveal the harsh truths
• Anyone can get into photojournalism despite their background. They just need to have the right mindset and artistic image
• Gives photographers the ability to be artistic with normal, generic and every day objects, locations and items.
• Photographers get to travel the world and be a part of the big events that happen in the world
• It  can be psychologically damaging for photographers
• It can be emotionally distressing
• Rewarding to capture and expose traumatic events revealing the atrocities to the world
• Photos show the severity of certain events and tell of the environments/atmospheres surrounding them. Puts the events into perspective.
• The photographers see the world in a different way

What are my thoughts on photographing graphic events? Does anyone have the right to photograph these events? What can or shouldn't be photographed? Why?

I think that graphic and traumatic global events need to be documented. I think that it is correct to document these events through any means whether that is through official documents, video or photo evidence all as a means of educating people about these horrors so that they do not happen again or even so on a scale even comparable to the atrocities of the past such as the Holocaust and the Vietnam War. I do think that anyone who wants to take photographs for this reason as a means of educating people do have the right to take these photographs. Those who try to glamorise these events or make them out to be something that they are not do not have the right to take these photographs in my opinion. For example if someone tried to use photographs to question the legitimacy of particular events like within the Holocaust should not have a right to use photography in that light as they are taking away from the point of having the opportunity to take those photos in the first place. Likewise I think that if someone uses a photo to glamorise that sort of behaviour or encourage war should not have the right to do. I also agree with what McCullin has taken photos of and therefore do not think that there should be a limit to what can or cannot be photographed. This is because photojournalism should convey the truth and in some cases the harsh truths of what these events are like. If something cannot be photographed then therefore this is a form of censorship and stops the photographer from being able to tell the whole story which will then make something look not as bad as is actually is.

Don McCullin Documentary
1:07:18

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mSEjxfXBsg