- 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.
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