DB # 09 PHOTOJOURNALISM

What's the role of photo journalism?

           Photojournalism is a branch of journalism that tells the story in the form of images.

They are informative, and relevant to society, as well as informing us of what is happening

around the world. These images also possess the quality of being objective. The context of the images and its relevance are directly connected to the story it's telling.

Are there rules that photojournalists should follow? Why? Why not?

           In reading the Shooting the Truth: How Photographs in the Media Betray Us by Gordana S. Icevska these are the several rules that photojournalist should abide.

Photojournalists and those who manage visual news productions are accountable for upholding the following standards in their daily work:

1.       Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.

2.       Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.

3.       Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work to avoid presenting one's own biases in the work.

4.       Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.

5.       While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.

6.       Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.

7.       Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for information or participation.

8.       Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage.

9.       Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.

Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?

            Taking journalistic photos and writing a news story contribute to the same ethics. When reporting a story the main elements such as reality, accurateness, and objectivity must be present. The photographer at the same time must treat all subject matter with courteously and with dignity. For writers, they must regard the principle of accuracy and fairness. We all know that it is natural to be bias, but as a writer they have to control their feelings and emotions and report on what the evidence is given with as much accuracy as possible.

What's the impact of altering press photographs? Should they be edited (at all) in postproduction?

            The impact of altered photographs is changing the viewer’s perception and can impact society in so many ways. Yes, photographs can be altered to some extent like adjusting the brightness or sharpness. Taking someone out or adding someone into the photo, changing the background, remaking the facial expression are just examples of editing that is prohibited.

REFERENCE: role of photo journalism

http://www.enterprised.co.uk/uploads/DOCS/3-20070629200829.pdf

week 09 reading material :  

SHOOTING THE TRUTH:

HOW PHOTOGRAPHS IN THE MEDIA BETRAY US By Gordana S. Icevska

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/wiki/ethics/

http://web.mit.edu/drb/Public/PhotoThesis/

 

DB# 06 DOCUMENTING THE GREAT DEPRESSION

The significant impact of this project was to document the event during the Great Depression wherein the illustration of Americans in every part of the nation. This project emphasized both rural and urban life conditions and shows the harmful impact of Great Depression and the Dust Bowl and the farm mechanization throughout the United States.

The collection encloses the images made by photographers working in Stryker's unit as it existed in a series of government agencies: the Resettlement Administration (1935-1937), the Farm Security Administration (1937-1942), and the Office of War Information (1942-1944). The collection also includes photographs acquired from other governmental and non-governmental sources, including the News Bureau at the Offices of Emergency Management (OEM), various branches of the military and industrial corporations. In total, the collection consists of about 164,000 black-and-white film negatives and transparencies, 1,610 color transparencies, and around 107,000 black-and-white photographic prints, most of which were made from the negatives and transparencies.

What was the role of Migrant Mother Photograph in the period or great depression and what is it nowadays?

The statistics of the Great Depression were alarming – unemployment of over 25%. But, photos such as this gave a human face to the economic information. This photo of Florence Owens Thompson became one of the most iconic photos of the period. It covers the misery, humanity and helplessness of the period, but, at the same time, embraces a calm and noble attitude in the face of difficulty. The photograph was taken by Dorothea Lange, who helped to develop the art of documentary photography.

REFERENCE:

http://www.americanhistoryonline.org/collection/show/6

http://www.alscotts.com/great-photographs-no-3-migrant-mother-nipomo-california-1936/

http://houseofjoseph.net/news/economy/Migrant%20Mother/Migrant%20Mother.htm





Why the project has significant impact on the society?

DB 03 - CAN ART BE MECHANICALLY REPRODUCED?

When something is reproduced for so many times is that art?

Yes it is still is considered as an art. Because art is the use of skill and creating what is on our imagination.

What's the importance of the mechanical reproducibility of the art?

The importance of it is keeping the original copy. Also, by reproducing one art, we are allowing ourselves to make something new based on what inspires us.

What was the impact on mechanical reproducibility on the society?

The impact of mechanically reproducing an art is losing its essence and authenticity. At the same time, it loses its respect to the artist who made the original piece of art.

For example,

From this image….                                                           To this image…         

 

Is photography art or contribution to the art? Is it just a tool used by artists?

Photography is an art and also a tool for artists. Different artists used different tool to produce an art for example: by using paint, water color, pencil, pastels, charcoals and many more. It’s the same thing when we think about photography. We use different tools such as different lenses, different filters, different flashes and a lot more in order to enhance a picture.

How and why Henry Pitch Robinson created Fading Away? What was the reason?

 Henry Pitch Robinson used a composition of five negatives to illustrate a girl failing due to tuberculosis and shows the depression of other family members.  The reason why he created this picture “Fading Away” (1858) is to expose the truth about how people undergo hurt and suffering during time of loss.

(http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/robinson.htm)

Photography has impacted the world of art and influenced some changes in the area of accessibility to art. If mechanical reproduction created revolution, what is happening now with the digitalization?

 With digitalization, we were deprived of what is real. With different softwares like Photoshop, wherein imperfections are being erased, and other ugly features are being enhanced.

This two video is a good example.

REFERENCES:

First picture Mona Lisa:

http://www.wyckoffschools.org/eisenhower/teachers/olejarz/digitalimaging/mona/largemona.html

Mr. Bean Mona Lisa

http://galleryar.blogspot.com/2010/12/mona-lisa_31.html

FADING AWAY

http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/robinson.htm

Heart icon

http://p4um.com/phramework/pw/module/4um/topic.php?t=14

DIFFERENCES EARLY DAYS TODAY method of how the images are processed SO MANY STEPS (inconvenient) EASY Status of who wants to get a picture people who get photos are considered luxurious anyone Price of getting a photograph you have to pay for it FOR FREE (with the help of technology) How long you should wait to be photograph You have to wait in line to pose Anytime, anywhere Number of picture produced ONE A LOT!  Size of camera  Extremely large Comes in different sizes SIMILARITIES EARLY DAYS TODAY Use of retouching YES (Louis and Ernest Meyer) YES using photoshop Exhibition of photographs YES  November 1854 Disderi organized an exhibition of his own work on these large premises, as a publicity stunt A lot of galleries Different names for “PHOTOGRAPHERS” “photographer-artist” “photographer-painter” “photographer-emperor” Landscape Photographer Food photography Fashion photographer Used in politics, arts, celebrities etc. Same concept of developing image

PHOTOGRAPHER IN THE PAST AND TODAY

As I read and glimpse back at the world as well as the history  of photography, I noticed that most of the photographers are really dedicated and made photography their profits. In early days, when people talk about “photographers” they are considered and meant to be as professionals. For example,  Disderi, Nadar, Gustave Le Gray and Louis Daguerre.Furthermore, photographs are meant for individuals who had the power, wealth, and  prominence. For instance, the queen, the emperor, doctors, lawyers, and merchants were just a few.   Today is very different from what it used to be. You can call yourself a photographer when you are holding any types and/or very expensive camera, have a subject; can be a model, your cousin, brother, can be anyone, and you shoot.

IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY ON PORTRAITS IN THE PAST AND TODAY

Technology in the past allowed the people reproduced image. Along with that, people made it more interesting by inventing a more clear way of producing a photograph. Technology helped them to do more and extend their capacity in making a lot of image.

As time pass by, technology has made our life more convenient. In area of photography, technology has helped us to manipulate image. The flexibility of the image is produced and we can have fun with the picture. Also, technology helped us to improve the performance of cameras.