- What's the role of photo journalism?
Reporting the news in
media through photos is called photojournalism. According to Westbrook,
“Photojournalism distinguishes itself from other forms of professional
photography by its adherence to the principles of journalism:
timeliness, accuracy, fair representation of the context of events and
facts reported, and accountability to the public.” In my opinion,
photojournalism is a kind of documentary photography, but the highlight
of journalism is timeliness. Photojournalism is news reporter, and has
more objective than news writer. The purposes of photojournalism are
show the venues, spread news and trigger impact on the society.
Consequently, photojournalism makes audiences feel vivid and complete
those help them to understand the news.
- Are there rules that photojournalists should follow? Why? Why not?
There
are no absolute rules that photojournalists should follow. However,
photojournalism has responsibility to follow the standard of ethics.
Although there has different code of ethics or rules provided by a
variety of associations, I believe they all have three main rules:
accuracy, objectivity, and respect for all subjects.
To begin
with accuracy, it is the most important professional ethic of
photojournalism. The first thing of accuracy is photo manipulation. I’m
not meaning photojournalism can’t manipulate photos, but what degree is
acceptable? The only allowable manipulation is those used to improve the
quality of the photograph, but without changing the reality.
The
second rule in my opinion is objectivity; it means photojournalism
can’t take pictures by personal interests. For example, “photojournalism
can’t accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek
to influence coverage” (NPPA Code of Ethics) or seek personal profits
for cover the events. Photojournalism’s purpose for taking pictures is
presents the truth of that event.
At last, objectivity not means
cold and detached. Photojournalism has the responsibility to respect all
subjects. “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.” (NPPA Code of Ethics)
- Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?
The
ethics of taking journalistic photos is same as the ethics of writing a
news story. Both of them should provide the reality of any event.
Nonetheless, there have many other differences between journalistic
photos and news story.
Generally, journalistic photos present
news in microcosmic view, but news story presents in macroscopic view.
Also, journalistic photos are narrative, but if no any text description,
audiences may not where the event happens. Journalistic photos make new
more vivid and new story make audiences completely know what happen,
both of them are indispensable.
- What's the impact of altering press photographs? Should they be edited (at all) in postproduction?
The
impact of altering press photographs could be positive or negative. The
main purpose of photo manipulation is improving the quality of the
photograph. If altering press photographs without changing the reality
and improved the quality, which could be positive impact. However,
changing the context on photographs did not follow any ethics of
photojournalists, and making audiences get a wrong story.
Work Cites:
Westbrook, Dillon. A Brief History of Photojournalism. Photography-Schools.com
NPPA Code of Ethics. National Press Photographers Association. nppa.org
Course Notes. Week 9.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Assignment 3:Press Photography versus Art Photography
Find two press photographs and two art photographs (provide the names of the authors and sources) and explain:
The main differences and similarities between art and press photography:
Press Photography is same meaning as photojournalism. The purposes of press photography are show the venues, spread news and trigger impact on the society. Consequently, photojournalism makes audiences feel vivid and complete those help them to understand the news.
Art photography means the photography done as an art that are creative and exaggerated. Art photography usually created for commercial use, and it may transmit a metaphor or simile meaning to audiences. Also, it is a visual art to makes audiences feel visual impact.
Press photo No.1:In this photo released by World Press Photo, the 2nd Prize Nature Single of the 2011 World Press Photo Contest by Reinhard Dirscherl, Germany, shows Atlantic sailfish attacking Spanish sardines, off Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. (AP Photo/Reinhard Dirscherl)
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/02/world-press-photo-contest-2011/100008/
Audiences have different expectation when they read press photography and art photography. When audiences read press photography, they want to know the truth. Whereas, when audiences look at art photography, they are trying to understand and enjoy in an artistic work.
The apparent similarity between press photography and art photography is that both of them are use the same type of tool-a camera. Also, both of press photography and art photography are narrative. Press photography tells a reality story to audiences that making audiences to understand what event happened; However, art photography tells a metaphorical story that making audiences to muse the meaning. In addition, all of photos can be manipulation, but manipulative level is very different.
Is it ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs? Why? Why not?
Yes. It’s ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs. Art photography is usually created for commercial use, and it can manipulate photos bombastically even without the reality. The reason of alter photos is the purpose of art photography: visual art are creative and exaggerated.
Art photo No.2:Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.Photographed by Darwin Wiggett. http://www.darwinwiggett.com/photo.php?id=491&gallery=ontario
Is it ethical and acceptable to alter press photographs? Why? Why not?
Altering press photographs could be positive or negative. The main purpose of photo manipulation is improving the quality of the photograph. If altering press photographs without changing the reality and improved the quality, which could be positive impact. However, changing the context on photographs did not follow any ethics of photojournalists, and making audiences get a wrong story.
Press photo No.2:A man and a boy, displaced by floods, walk through
flood waters on August 22, 2010 in the village of Baseera near
Muzaffargarh in Punjab, Pakistan. This photograph is part of a series
that took the 1st Prize for People In The News Stories of the 2011 World
Press Photo Contest.(Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/02/world-press-photo-contest-2011/100008/
Works cited:
Icevska,Gordana. Course Notes Week 9.
Icevska,Gordana. Course Notes Week 10.
Friend,David.Cartier-Bresson's Decisive Moment.The Digtal Journalist. Web.Dec 2004.
NPPA Code of Ethics.National Press Photographers Association
The main differences and similarities between art and press photography:
Press Photography is same meaning as photojournalism. The purposes of press photography are show the venues, spread news and trigger impact on the society. Consequently, photojournalism makes audiences feel vivid and complete those help them to understand the news.
Art photography means the photography done as an art that are creative and exaggerated. Art photography usually created for commercial use, and it may transmit a metaphor or simile meaning to audiences. Also, it is a visual art to makes audiences feel visual impact.
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/02/world-press-photo-contest-2011/100008/
Audiences have different expectation when they read press photography and art photography. When audiences read press photography, they want to know the truth. Whereas, when audiences look at art photography, they are trying to understand and enjoy in an artistic work.
The apparent similarity between press photography and art photography is that both of them are use the same type of tool-a camera. Also, both of press photography and art photography are narrative. Press photography tells a reality story to audiences that making audiences to understand what event happened; However, art photography tells a metaphorical story that making audiences to muse the meaning. In addition, all of photos can be manipulation, but manipulative level is very different.
Art photo No.1:Photographed by Bryan Adams. He is a famous Canadian rock singersongwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer.
http://www.photography.ca/fine-art-photographers/adams/
Is it ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs? Why? Why not?
Yes. It’s ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs. Art photography is usually created for commercial use, and it can manipulate photos bombastically even without the reality. The reason of alter photos is the purpose of art photography: visual art are creative and exaggerated.
Is it ethical and acceptable to alter press photographs? Why? Why not?
Altering press photographs could be positive or negative. The main purpose of photo manipulation is improving the quality of the photograph. If altering press photographs without changing the reality and improved the quality, which could be positive impact. However, changing the context on photographs did not follow any ethics of photojournalists, and making audiences get a wrong story.
Works cited:
Icevska,Gordana. Course Notes Week 9.
Icevska,Gordana. Course Notes Week 10.
Friend,David.Cartier-Bresson's Decisive Moment.The Digtal Journalist. Web.Dec 2004.
NPPA Code of Ethics.National Press Photographers Association
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)