Photojournalism through my eyes

Photojournalism was once described by Professor Nordell and he said to divide it into two separate words, photo and journalism.  This is a great way to describe what photojournalism is and what it does.  It is a story that is being told through an image or a series of images.  The photographer is able to freeze a moment in time and share these images with the world.  Some of these images create an impact, this impact causes change.   By assuming the role of a photojournalist you are also assuming the role of a story teller.  You are able to tell a story through your photographic images. 

Everyone views these images differently.  They are interpreted in their own unique way.  Many factors contribute to their interpretation of the photograph including things like values and morals, past experiences, emotions, etc.  When answering the question, Do photographs change the world?  I believe the impact certain photographs leave on someone can change who they are, so the answer is yes!  The following photograph really shocked me when I saw it for the first time a few weeks ago.  It has left a powerful impact on me by understanding why Kevin Carter took this photograph.  He wanted to show the world what the reality for some people is.  This photo makes me very sad for this innocent, starving child.  It also makes me want to change some of my own bad habits of buying and then wasting food when people out their are starving to death.

Photo by: Kevin Carter

Image Source

Recently my father purchased a Subway franchise in South Deerfield, Massachusetts.  This was something very important to my father and we just celebrated the grand opening of his store.  This gave me the perfect chance to play the role of a photojournalist.  I captured some images that I thought would make a great memory for both myself and my dad.  I also wanted to be a journalist of his story through photographs.  This grand opening allowed me to see my father in his Ah Ha moment.  This moment was so huge for him, something he has worked so hard for and I wanted to capture a part of his history and tell a part of his story.  Some people may view these images and it will have no impact on them what so ever.  It impacts me differently from you because I know the man in the picture, he is my dad.  These factors help to form my interpretation of the following images.  

 

 

Photo by: Taylor Yergeau

Image source- South Deerfield, MA

Whenever I look at this image it makes me laugh.  Nobody else who looks at this photo will feel the way I feel when viewing it.  I know that the man behind the giant sub is my father.  I find this quite amusing because my father is very serious, strong and proud and I find him to be vulnerable at this moment.

Photo by: Taylor Yergeau

Image source- South Deerfield, MA

When viewing this image I feel a sense of pride.  I feel this way because this is my fathers Subway.  Other people will probably look at this image and think it looks like all the other Subways they have been to and not think anything of it.  That is even more special to me because it is so personal.

 

 

Photo by: Taylor Yergeau

Image source- South Deerfield, MA

This is my favorite image because my dad is happy and for me that is priceless.  Nobody else knows the sweat and tears he put into this, but I do.  That is another reason why photojournalism is so unique.  The untold story behind the photo is often a mystery, leaving the viewer to make up their own.

During a photojournalist assignment I had my “Ah Ha” moment.  We were assigned to do a project on the ethics of photojournalism.  I wrote about a photographer named Liu Tao, who was criticized after he published photographs of a man falling face first into a hidden whole in the road.  He received so much criticism because he stood out in the rain for over an hour waiting for the next victim to be claimed by this hole after being tipped off by a local about a man falling a short while before.  I thought to myself, how could someone knowingly wait until someone was about to be hurt just to capture an image.  After researching more about the photographer he defended himself by stating, “If I did not get this, I could not use a photograph to claim there was a hole there.  If I could not photograph the hole, the government departments would not pay any attention, and the hole won’t get filled.  That would mean even more people falling when it rains.  After I took the photos I went to a nearby construction site and got the material to post a sign there to warn people.”  I said, Ah Ha to myself because now I saw things differently, from a completely different point of view, the photographers.  I too wondered why he did this but after reading his defense statement, it all became clear.  This is what photojournalists do, this is what photojournalism is.  Whether people like it or not they share what real life things are going on around the world.  Some receive criticism for publishing certain images but the fact of the matter is these images impact people and this impact causes people to make changes.

After learning about Bill Biggart from Melissa's blog, I agreed with her comment about him having a passion for photography. This was evident by what he lived for and later died for, "to capture images that tell a story." He risked his life and lost it trying to capture those images that will make thats lasting impact on people in hopes of changing the world. The passion that these photographers have for photojournalism is similar to the passion I have for nursing. I am so passionate about caring for those who are sick and vulnerable. I want to impact them in positive ways and help to leave a lasting impression in their life, just like photojournalists want to do through their images. Crystal wrote about Robert Capa who was famous for being a combat photographer. He photographed those who were suffering and the reality of what people face on a day to day basis. The reality of our world is that some people are out their suffering, while others go on living blind to these issues. Someone has to capture these moments and share these harsh realities with the world.  While viewing my fellow classmate Lucy's blog I learned about Lewis Hines.  He was motivated by children.  He captured images that exploited the way children were being treated in the workplace.  He wanted to make their story known through his photographs in hopes that they would change what they were experiencing in their life.  He hoped to make a difference in their life.  I hope to do the same for my patients in any way that I can.

 

Photo by: Lewis Hines

Image Source

In conclusion to this course I feel I have gained a deep understanding and respect for what photojournalism is all about.  This history of photojournalism class has expanded my knowledge on different photojournalists and their work and I can now appreciate what they do for a living.  To me the photography world is so broad.  The images that can be captured are endless.  The story behind each image is truly unique.  What the photographer sees through his lens is what makes each individual photograph a beautiful image.

Robert Frank

ROBERT FRANK

 

 

Photo by: Richard Avedon

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Robert Frank was born in 1924 and grew up to be one of the most influential photojournalists.  He was born in Switzerland and grew up in a very wealthy family with constant pressures on him to maintain this status.  The constant pressure made him turn to the art of photography.  Photography allowed Robert to escape both his family and the oppression of World War II.  After migrating to America in 1947, he began work as a fashion photographer for Harper's Bazaar Magazine. He continued working for the magazine for 5 years.

In 1954 Robert applied for a grant in order to travel and he was approved.  From 1955-1956 he traveled across the United States where he took over 28,000 photos in 43 states.  These photos were later published into one of the most influential books of photographs, known as The Americans.   Frank said the book was "a visual study of a civilization…an authentic contemporary document." (4)   Robert Frank used natural lighting and produced 750 rolls of 35mm film.  Out of all the photographs, he chose 83 images to be published in The Americans.  The affect of the lack of technology during this time did not hurt Robert Frank, in my opinion, but rather helped him.  He stated that, "Black and white are the colours of photography. To me, they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected. Most of my photographs are of people; they are seen simply, as through the eyes of the man in the street." (4)   From 1957 to 1963 he worked as a freelance photographer for the New York Times.  He also dabbled in film making for a short period of time until returning to what he did best, photography. 

The images he produced helped society to view the reality of segregation and racism in America and he had sympathy for them.  Many people were outraged by his images, while others were glad the truth is being put out there for the world to see.  Robert Frank said, "My photographs are not planned or composed in advance, and I do not anticipate that the onlooker will share my viewpoint. However, I feel that if my photograph leaves an image on his mind, something has been accomplished." (1)  He was motivated by capturing images that would leave a lasting impact on people.  He had a photographers eye that allowed him to see what others did not see, when it came to segregation.  During the 1950's segregation and racism was at it's peak.  Robert Frank was able to exploit these issues through his photojournalists images.  Different people viewed his images in different ways.  Many southern whites were bias and did not agree with Robert Franks message.  These southerners used violence and crime to try and resist blacks from their right to be treated equally. 

 

An aspect of Robert Frank's career relates to my Nursing major.  He had a heart and feelings and portrayed this in his photographs. "I always say that I don't want to be sentimental, that the photographs shouldn't be sentimental, and yet, I am conscious of my sentimentality."(1)   He had empathy for those who were affected by racism and as a nurse I have empathy for my patients.  He did not look at someone and see their race and judge them by that, he saw what was past that, on the inside.  As a nurse you need to look past certain things and not place judgements on your patients and treat all individuals equally.  Robert Frank exploited the inequality in America during the 1950s and I commend him for that.  Even though many photographers did not agree with his ways, he continued to produce his images. 

A famous qoute by Robert Frank, "When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of poetry twice."

Photo By: Robert Frank

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This is my favorite image produced by Robert Frank.  To me this photo is more of an abstract and is representational of a typical American family.  The 3 children visiting the beach, the little girl running while holding a giant American flag and the boy reading the paper.  The front page of the paper with headlines Marilyn Dead, referring to Marilyn Monroe.  The image does not necessarily have a startle value but seems to grow on you.  The children seem so innocent and clueless to what is really going on in the world.  The use of lines from the American flag draws your eyes to the flag and then your eyes flow from the flag to the two children in the sand.

 

Photo By: Robert Frank

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In this image a black couple are riding a motorcycle.  The motorcycle is a Harley Davidson, which is a very American brand which goes along with their American fashion.  The contrast is very low in this image with not much difference between the light and dark areas.  This low contrast helps to create that feeling of darkness and despair.  The feeling I get when viewing this image is sadness.  The couple and the people in the background have a very serious expression on their face. They do not look overly posed but rather somewhat proud with their backs straight instead of slouched over.  They are both looking down at something.  I wondered whether it was a body or a racial scene they were observing.  Their is a crowd of black men lining the street in the background behind the motorcycle.  The people in the background are all in focus hinting that they were included in the image intentionally.

 

 

Photo By: Robert Frank

Image Source

 

The setting of this image is on a Trolley in New Orleans back in 1955.  This image shows the segregation between white and black people.  This photo is representational of racism and segregation.  The white people sat in the front of the bus, while black people were forced to stay in the back. The obvious main subject is the people riding the trolley.  If part of the trolley was not captured it would be more confusing as to why their were white people on the left side of the photo and black people on the right side.  This image captured my attention because of the obvious inequality.  I think racism is wrong and 50 years later racial issues are still present in our society.

 

 

Photo By: Robert Frank

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The elevator girl in this image has a blank expression on her face.  She looks as if she is staring into space as people walk by ignoring her.  She looks sort of sad and almost numb as the people go off in their highly fashionable clothes most likely to some lavish party.  The people exiting the elevator are blurry while the girl is in focus drawing your eyes immediately to her.  The sharpness of this photo places the elevator girl in the spotlight for once instead of her blending in the background as usual.  The use of high contrast in this photo is very bold and dramatic which again allows the girl to stand out.

 

 

Photo By: Robert Frank

Image Source

 

The quality of light in this image in engaging.  The direction of the light casts shadows of the impacts the image tremendously.  With the sunlight high in the sky it casts shadows from the tree branches onto the ground.  The shadows casted from the branches of the tree are bold and dramatic.  The shadows were used by the photographer in an interesting way.  He decided to capture the shadows casted from the tree rather than the tree itself.  The man in the image is looking up towards something but you do not know what.  The shadows surrounding this man are what makes the picture complete.

 

 

References

1.  http://www.successories.com/iquote/author/3303/robert-frank-quotes/2

2.  http://people.wcsu.edu/mccarneyh/fva/F/RFrank_bio.html

3.  http://www.history.com/topics/1950s

4.  http://www.urban-photography-art.com/robert-frank.html

5.  http://www.biography.com/people/robert-frank-9301000

Motivation

What Motivates Me

 

Photo by: Taylor Yergeau

 

Everyone has a reason behind their actions, something inside them that further pushes them to do something.  Motivation is the drive inside that makes you want to do something.  For me my biggest thing in my life right now is finishing Nursing School and then passing my State Boards to become a Nurse.  What motivates me is Love, Family, Happiness, Success, Security, Stability, Respect and Money.  I also forgot to add Passion to my list, because this is what lives inside of me and really drives me with work.  When it comes to caring for sick or injured I am very passionate about what I do.  Without these motivations I feel as though my life will be very difficult.  So on my bad days I remind myself about all of these things that I can achieve in the long run.

 

Corey Rich

 

 

Photo by: Christopher Harrison

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Corey Rich is an outdoor, adventure photographer.  I chose him because I also love the outdoors and think it is very interesting what he chose to do for work.  He seems to really love what he does and surrounds himself with the outdoors.  Corey Rich stated, "I wasn’t an entrepreneur with a business plan, I was a guy who loved making pictures, never worrying about how the cash was going to flow. My goal was to make good pictures and the cash would follow."  He chose to be a photographer because he loved capturing pictures, not because of the money.  I think this is interesting because it is hard to survive in today's society without money, yet he doesn't worry about that, he lives for the moment.  Corey also talked about the 3 things that has made him successful in photography;

1.  A little bit of raw talent, talent doesn’t need to be oozing out of you.

2.  Willing to work really hard. I call that passion—you’re so passionate about something that the other things in life become less important. You’re willing to put it all into your craft.

3.  It really helps if you’re a great guy or gal—if you’re not an asshole. People want to work with people they enjoy being around.

 Reference

 

 

Photo by: Corey Rich

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James Nachtwey

 

Photo by: Unknown

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Anyone who risks their lives on a daily basis has to have a true passion and love for what they do.  That or they love the adrenaline rush of not being in a safe situation, where anything can happen at any given moment.  When photojournalist James Nachtwey was asked what motivates him to be a war photographer he responded saying,  "Why photograph war? Is it possible to put an end to human behavior which has existed throughout history by means of photography? The proportions of that notion seem ridiculously out of balance yet that very idea has motivated me."  I think it is very interesting knowing this is what drives him to risk his life in order to capture and share these photographs of war.

Reference

 

 

Photo by: James Nachtwey

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Irving Penn

 

 

Photo by: Bert Stern

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Irving Penn, a famous photographer was known for his portraits, still images and fashion images, was motivated by the importance of a photograph.  He once stated, "A good photograph is one that communicates a fact, touches the heart and leaves the viewer a changed person for having seen it. It is, in a word, effective." (Penn, Reference).  This quote really describes what he wanted to reflect in his photographs.  He was motivated to capture that perfect shot so when someone viewed it, the picture would trigger emotions and feeling inside of someone leaving somewhat of a footprint in their life to be remembered. 

Reference

 

 

Photo by: Irving Penn

Image Source

 

When comparing and contrasting what motivates me to what motivates photojournalists I see many similarities.  Corey Rich has such a passion for what he does for work and I too have this passion in caring for people.  I also am motivated by adventure and nature, I love surrounding myself with this.  I found it intriguing the way James Nachtwey was motivated by more of the unknown then the known.  He mentioned the fact that photography could help to stop war and that is what motivates him.  I love the way he looks at things and think this is such a positive way to approach things.  Mostly I found that these photographers loved what they did and that is the main reason why they do it.  I can relate to this with nursing and can not wait to start my career as one.  No matter what your motivation is if you are doing something you love and it makes you happy then you are in the right place. 

 

 

Chapter 8

Going Home

 

 

 Photo by: Ed Clark

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When originally viewing this image it made me feel sad.  You can tell by the expression of the man playing the accordion.  The tears streaming down his face says it all.  He is deeply saddened by something and he expresses his grief.  He also hold his head high, showing his pride.  Most of the people in the background have their heads lowered and do not look happy.  I did not know the significance of this photo until I researched it further.  I now know that this photo was taken as the body of President Franklin D. Roosevelt was returning home.  This man playing the accordion is Graham Jackson, who was a United States Navy bandsman and he was playing one of Roosevelt's favorite tunes, Going Home.  I love this photo because as a man he was not afraid to show his emotions.  It seems in this photo he was more grief stricken then the women which is not usually the case.   Professor Nordell said, "I believe that when different individuals look at the same photograph, they each come away with a different meaning and interpretation." I completely agree with this statement and feel this image is a good reflection of that.  At first you see the emotions literally pouring out of this black man and then you see the white people in the background, not nearly as grief stricken.  This shows that each person had their own meaning and interpretation of President Franklin Roosevelt's death.

 

Principle 1- Subjects Expression- The subjects expression means everything in this image.  He is caught in the moment and is not overly posing or hamming it up for the camera, this is true, raw emotions. 

Principle 2- Obvious main subject- The man playing the accordion is obviously the main subject.  He is taking up about 2/3 of the image area leaving only a little space to capture the people in the background. 

Principle 3- Background compliments- The people made up of mostly women in the background helps to compliment this image.  Graham Jackson is showing his emotions and I think it is both powerful and meaningful.  He is a Man and also African American amongst many white women who are clearly not grieving as much as he is.  I love that the photographer included the background because it allows Graham to stand out and shine even more, as he should.

 

The Truth

 

Photo by: Taylor Yergeau

Image Source: Russell, Ma

To me is nature is one of the most natural and truthful things on this earth.  If I have any free time I love to be outdoors and surrounded by nature.  Everything is so peaceful and most things are not manipulated by man.  You do not need to edit it or change it because its natural beauty shines through.  I took the image above while hiking in Western Massachusetts a little over a month ago.  I was walking along the trail when I saw this beautiful stream flowing down the mountain and thought it would make a great picture.  I did not need to change anything after taking this photo.  My emotions and intuitions allowed me to feel such an overwhelming sense of peace when I took this photo and each time I view this photo it brings those emotions back. 

 

Principle 1- Texture- When viewing this image it is evident that water is there.  You can see that the river flowing through the trees is wet and a different texture from the trees.

Principle 2- Quality of light- The light in this image above is engaging to the eye.  The sunlight shines through any open areas where the trees do not block it out.  Certain leaves are highlighted by the sun while others remain in the shadows.  You can also see the light reflecting off of certain areas of the water.

Principle 3- Exposure Time- This image was captured by my Iphone 5 using a fast shutter speed that froze the action.  The water is in focus and clear allowing the true beauty of the water to be reflected.  If the image were taken in a slower shutter speed it may have been to blurry to tell that is water running through the trees.

 

 

Untruthful 

Photo by: Andrew Brodhead
Image Source
 

The truth is that not all things seen by the human eye in a photograph is a true reflection of what the photographer is seeing with their own eyes.  Professor Nordell stated, "I wouldn't want to photograph someone in a way that I myself would not want to be photographed."  I agree with this statement and it goes along with one of my morals to follow the golden rule and treat others the way you would want to be treated.  I myself would never want to be photographed when I die and therefor would never photograph someone dead.  Many photographs are edited now a days to show what they want you to see, not what they actually see.  In the image of above a corpse is wrapped in plastic and is shown "floating" above the ground.  These images were edited in order to try and create awareness of all the plastic waste in our country.  My logic and reasoning allows me to know that this is an altered image because I know that people can not fly, especially dead body's.

Principle 1- Abstraction- This image is an representational of all of the plastic waste in our world.  The photographer stated that, “Visually, I want to convey the sacrifice we have made by our consumption and waste.  The wrapped bodies represent invasive cocoons floating over vulnerable landscapes.”  The reality of this photo is that their is a lot of waste and something needs to be done before we run out of room in landfills to put it. 
Principle 2- What feeling does this image create?- This image creates and eerie feeling.  Anything involving dead bodies is a little unsettling in one way or another.  This image captured my attention because I wanted to have a photograph of a corpse and after seeing it floating off the ground I had to find out the meaning behind the photo.
Principle 3- In and out of focus- This image is in focus in the front of the corpse and of the actual corpse itself.  I think the photographer did this so your eye is drawn immediately to the corpse floating in the air and the water on the ground.  The background behind the corpse is a little blurry.  This helps to create the overall effect of the body floating by drawing your eyes to the space between the corpse and the ground, not the corpse and the background.

Chapter 7 Ethics of Photojournalism

 

    Photojournalism usually makes such a strong impact on people because the picture stirs up the viewers emotions in some sort of way.  Sometimes photographers manipulate the scene in order to cause a more dramatic affect in the image being captured.  Other times photographers wait and capture that perfect moment that seems to last forever.  Some people may criticize photographers for certain techniques used in order to capture those powerful image even if it means invading someone's privacy, breaking their own code of ethics or even breaking laws.  Many photographers are willing to do whatever it takes to capture certain photographs. 

 

 

Photo by: Liu Tao

Image Source

Image capture on May 9,2005

The image above was taken by a photojournalist by the name of Liu Tao in Xiamin, China on a rainy day.  The roads were all flooded with water and this bicyclist could not see the giant hole that was in the road.  The photographer was tipped off by a local about another victim falling into the same hole a little while earlier.  So he waited patiently in the wind and rain for about an hour for the perfect moment to take a picture.  Along came this man on a bicycle holding an umbrella and his tire hit the hole in the ground and he fell face first.

 

Photo by: Liu Tao

Image Source

 

A huge controversy aroused after the photos were published in the Nanfang Daily.  People verbally attacked this photographer for not warning the man about the whole.  Liu Tao defended himself claiming he was only trying to document images to makes a news report of the ongoing issue.  Liu later stated, "If I did not get this, I could not use a photograph to claim that there was a hole there.  If I could not photograph the hole, the government departments will not pay any attention, and the hole won't get filled.  That would mean even more people falling when it rains.  After I took the photos, I went to a nearby construction site and got the material to post a sign there to warn people."  Reference

 

 

Photo by: Liu Tao

Image Source

At first I was appalled to think that someone could actually stand their and knowingly wait for someone to fall face first into a hidden hole in the road.  I could never wait and watch for someone to hurt themselves and not say or do anything to prevent it if at all possible.  Especially because I hope to become a nurse and I want to help people in everyway that I can.  After reading the photographers statement I actually saw his point of view and took his side.  He needed to capture these images in order to make an impact that will further make changes.  He also went back to the site of the scene and posted a sign to warn people.

Sometimes images are hard to view and those are the same images that make you want to get up and do something about it.  Personally I don't think I could be a professional photojournalist in certain situations, for example I would have warned this man but that is me.  I believe that there is a person for every job, just like nursing isn't for everyone.  Someone has to do this type of job even when ethical situations come about.  That is usually when your own morals and values take over and you follow your heart and do what you feel is right at that time.  Some ethical issues also go along with other professions besides photography, including medical and law enforcement professions.  My personal codes of ethics include being caring, loyal, having dignity and respect for both myself and others.  I always try and follow the golden rule to treat others the way I would want to be treated.  If I am going to fall flat on my face and it can be prevented, someone please warn me!

 

 

Photo by: Taylor Yergeau

 

Trials and Triumphs of Women

          Photography used to be considered a male profession.  It was almost unheard of for a female to be the photographer of a photograph.  Now a days women photographers continue to increase their numbers.  Despite all of the hardships that come with photography including financial instability and safety concerns, many women are determined to make it in photography.   Kate Brooks said that, "Being a photojournalist is not a profession, it’s a way of life. You have to live it and breath it and sometimes even risk dying for it (Reference)."  On almost a daily basis photographers risk their lives to get that perfect shot they want to share with the world. 

The following photos were taken during and following the violence of people, Taliban and soldiers.  In order to capture these images Kate placed her self in the direct path of violence.

 

Photo by: Kate Brooks

Image Source

 I chose to use this photo because I wanted to give examples of the work of a women.  Kate placed herself within feet of this smoking car in order to capture this image.
 

Principle 1: Obvious main subject- This photo shows a blown up car which I believe to be the main subject.  The man is in front of the care but the care takes up about 2/3 of the image area.  If the car were not in the photo, only the man, the photo would not have the same impact.  The impact this photo made on me was that this was a violent, unsafe situation where car bombs and rioting is occurring.

Principle 2: What in the image helped to create that feeling- This image captured my attention because of the car in the background that is still smoking.  I had feelings of fear for the photographer, Kate who took this image.

Principle 3: Is the image black and white or color- This image was taken in color and I think the photographer chose to do so because it helped to make the photo more dramatic.  If you look closely all the men are clothed in white, the car and buildings appear tan and the black smoke rises to the bright blue skies.  I think the use of color helped the impact of what is going on in the photo to come through.

Photo by: Kate Brooks
Image Source

I chose my second image by Kate as well because I was overcome by feelings of sorrow and empathy for this person kneeling down and praying.  I almost felt the sadness he was feeling at that moment, having lost loved ones of my own I can relate.
 

Principle 1: Background compliments the composition- The two giant tankers in the background of this photo helps to complete the picture.  The background is slightly out of focus but it still allows the viewer to visualize the tankers that just drove over the area where the boy is kneeling down.  Without the tankers in the background I would be confused as to the events that took place prior to this photograph.

Principle 2: In or Out of focus- The two tanker trucks in the background of this photo are out of focus, while the boy praying is in focus.  I believe this helped the feeling of sadness and loss to surface when viewing this image.

Principle 3: Subject's Expression- The subject in this photograph seems to be overcome with sorrow and grief.  He is kneeling down and praying for what seems to be the loss of a loved one.  His body language fits his facial expression during his spiritual moment.

       At 20 years of age, Kate Brooks began work in Russia as a freelance photographer.  Following the attacks on the United States after September 11th, 2001 she moved to Pakistan to document the people and the impact of American foreign policy in the region.  Kate stated, "women have an advantage over men because they might be less confrontational or aggressive when pursuing stories."  For once women photographers had the upper hand over men in Muslim countries where men are not allowed to be with the women there.  Kate also said that "she has never had trouble in combat with troops of either side. That they respect her and allow her to do her job."(Reference)  Kate has continued her work in the Middle East and South Asia where many women do not have a voice to share with the world what their life is like on a daily basis. (Reference) 

Kate Brooks

 

Image Source

I chose to use this image of the photojournalist Kate Brooks because it captures her in the moment of where she takes her famous photos.  You can still see the ruble and debris in the background on the floor, reminding you of the danger she faces in order to take certain photographs.
 

Principle 1: Keep it Simple- The composition of this photo is simple and uncluttered.  Kate Brooks is the focus of this photo.  Even though there are rocks and debris visible on the floor it does not take away from her portrait.

Principle 2: Use of shadows- I think the photographer used the shadows from the building in the background to help Kate Brooks to stand out from the background.  Most of the background is dark besides the Pillar to the right of Kate which helps to guide the setting for the photograph.

Principle 3: Abstraction- I think this photo is representational of what Kate Brooks is doing for work on a daily basis.  The photo of Kate shows her with a serious expression while scanning the scene with her camera in hand.  The true meaning of this photo to me is, what lies behind the camera which is a women photographer.

 

 

In 1968 Katherine Leroy was recognized as one of the first female combat photographers (Reference).  Both Katherine and Kate placed themselves in the middle of violent conflicts in order to capture and share the reality of war. Not to many females intentionally place themselves in dangerous situations.  When Kate Brooks was asked the one thing she wish she knew when she started her career she answered by saying "That it never gets easier. I was warned that it would be difficult to sustain a career as a freelance photographer before I pursued it. Had I listened, I wouldn’t have become a photographer. I guess if it were easy, more people would be doing it (Kate Brooks, Reference)."  In general both men and women face hardships while just trying to survive in life.  Women continue to fight for their right of equality in society, some more so than others.  No matter what the obstacle we face, we just need to keep moving forward and not let anyone or anything stop us from pursuing our dreams.

Technology Timeline from 1840-Now

 

35mm Camera

1925

 

 

Photo by: Thorsten Overgaard

Image Source

 

The 35mm Camera was invented by Oskar Barnack who was searching for a way to make cameras more portable.  This invention had a huge impact on photojournalism by allowing photographers to be mobile with their work.  This gave them an open canvas so to speak with what they wanted to take images of.   Photographers were no longer limited to where their camera would allow them to go.  The Wall Street journal said this camera was a development that "took photography out of the studio and into the streets." (Clark, Reference)

 

35mm Color Film 

1963

 

 

Photo by: Nick Selway

Image Source

 

The first color photograph was produced in 1861 by James Clerk Maxwell.  The 35mm film was modified to enhance it's capabilities including color.  In 1963 Polaroid came out with instant color film.  This was a major milestone for photojournalism.  Images could now be replicated to show what the photographer is seeing with their own eyes.  Color film has allowed for photojournalism to truly capture and reflect a moment in time.  People do not see things in black and white, they see in color. 

(National Geographic, Reference )  

  

Photo CD
1990

 

 

 Photo taken by: Kodak

Image Source

 

Photo Cd's were created in the late 1900's and they enable people to view their pictures on televisions and computers.  These photo CD's impacted photojournalism by allowing the images to be reproduced in a more efficient way.  All of your images are saved on to these discs that allow you to save and share your images.  These CD's have allowed journalists to have a library of pictures on such a small, compact disc.  I can't remember how many times I lost a 5*7 printed image that I would have loved to be able to pop this CD into my computer and the photo CD would have allowed me to re-create that image. 

 (Reference)

Digital Camera
1991

Photo taken by: Martin Pot
Image Source 

 The first digital camera was produced in 1991 and was targeted towards photojournalists.  When an image is captured and it "records light electronically and saves it in bits and bytes using the pixel grid (Tolmachev)."  Your computer then reads these bits and bytes and converts into the original image recorded.  The invention of the digital camera was probably had one of the largest impacts on photojournalism.  Digital photography is easy, even a small child could take pictures using a digital camera.  These cameras allow the average person, without any knowledge whatsoever on photography, to become their own photographer.
(Reference)

 

Cell Phone Cameras

1997

 

Photo taken by: Daniel Ortiz

Image source: Chester, Ma

Today's society seems to revolve around technology.  Everywhere you look someone is either taking on their cell phone or texting away.  Just about everyone over the age of 12 has a cell phone with almost all equipped with a built in camera.  Over the years these cameras have been improved, and they now take sharp, focused pictures.  In June of 1997 the first camera phone was invented by Philippe Kahn.  This has allowed people to become journalists in their own individual way.  Cell phone cameras have impacted photojournalism in both positive and negative ways.  Now a days, just about anyone is enable with the equipment needed to be a photojournalist.  This is a positive thing because most people do not have expensive cameras but using a cell phone, they don't need it.  This has had a negative impact in privacy as well as digital camera sales.  Most people always carry their cell phones with them and are therefor always ready to capture the next image.

(Reference)

Cell Phone Cameras

Photo taken by using my iphone 5: Taylor Yergeau
Image source: Bash Bish Falls, Mt. Washington State Forest, Massachusetts

            Since the year 2000 it seems that almost everyone today has a cell phone.  The cell phones today have cameras capable of taking still images and videos.  This enables anyone with a cell phone to become a photojournalist.  Digital photography has had a major impact on photojournalism.  I think it has allowed someone who maybe never took photography classes, to capture an image, feel proud of their work and want to share this image with the world. In my opinion the changes from pre-digital technologies to digital technologies.

            Some may argue that cell phone cameras do not take high quality photographs.  It was very interesting to learn that Time Magazine used an iphone camera to document Hurricane Sandy.  Benjamin Lowy made a good point stating, "To “point and shoot” has been a liberating experience. It has allowed me to rediscover the excitement of seeing imperfections and happy accidents rendered through the lens of my handheld device (Lowy)."  Camera phones allow photographers to easily capture an image with a click of a button instead of worrying about things like lenses, shutter speeds, lighting, etc.

            Bob Zeller says "the invention of the tintype, which was a metal image, and the ambrotype, printed on glass, allowed for mass production of small photographs usually kept by families in wooden or glass cases (Niller)."  This enabled photographers to make unlimited copies and distribute them.  With digital photography you can store hundreds of images on your phone or computer and send them electronically.  You can also print out your photos using photo paper and your printer, or by transferring your pictures to places like CVS or Walgreens. 

            For me I wouldn't be able view all of my old memories, and life experiences if I didn't have my camera phone.  I carry my phone with me constantly and therefore always have a way to capture an image.  In life, many unexpected things arise and these usually make the best photos.  Even owning a digital camera didn't allow me to take that many photojournalistic images because I almost never had it on me when a candid moment came up.  Digital photography has been a huge leap in photography for some.  By using your camera on your phone, anyone can take photojournalistic images that arise in your daily life, regardless of how fancy your camera may or may not be. 

Photo taken using iphone 5 by: Donna Wright
Image source: http://designyoutrust.com/2013/04/iphone-5-photography-by-donna-wright/

 References-

Lowy, Benjamin  http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/11/01/why-time-magazine-used-instagram-to-cover-hurricane-sandy/

Niller, Eric  http://news.discovery.com/history/us-history/civil-war-photography-warfare-110411.htm

The Open Door
Photo by: William Henry Fox Talbot
Image source: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/2005.100.498
Year: 1844

Quality of light: The light is very bold, the brightness on the outside brings your eyes right to the broom but past the door is complete darkness besides a small glass window visible.
Keep it simple:  The image is very simple with an old broom in front of an open door.  Although there are other objects visible in the picture like a light and some vines, your eyes are drawn right to the broom.
Contrast Appropriate: I believe the contrast of this photo is very high.  There are very bright areas outside of the door where the sun is shining, and very dark areas behind the door and where there are shadows.

I chose this image because it was kind of spooky and reminded me of Halloween.  This image looks like a photo of an old witches house.  The broomstick leaning on the wall in front of the open door sparks curiosity of what is inside beyond the light. I also thought it would be good examples of assessing a photograph using lighting principles.

Photo by: Dorothea Lange
Image source: http://marshallmatlock.com/2011/10/dorothea-lange-american-photographs/
Year: early 1900s

Keep it simple:  This is a very simple photograph with a boy smoking who is sitting down leaning back against a pole.  The image includes a boy, a pole and a cigarette, it is not cluttered at all in my opinion.
What feelings does this image create: I felt a little upset when viewing this photo.  Back in the early 1900's smoking was considered to be cool, and people were not aware of the health consequences and risks associated with smoking.  If this was an older man I don't think it would bother me as much as seeing this young boy smoking.
Is the image black and white or color: This image was printed in a time where only black and white was possible.  Regardless, I feel it has a stronger impact in black and white then it would have if in color.  The boy's cigarette is white and to me is what stands out in the picture.  I am not sure how well the cigarette would have stood out if it was competing with colors in the photo.

I decided to use Dorothea Lange's photo of the boy smoking because it sort of disturbs me.  Now a days smoking cessation is advertised like the way cigarette's smoking used to be before laws were created to stop this. Their are also laws that do not allow minors to purchase tobacco products. 

Photo by: Cal Williams
Image source: http://www.calwilliamsphoto.com/Scenic-Views/Nautical-Scenes/2016931_jpHk3g#!i=151725543&k=ms5PhSt
Year: 1999

Rule of thirds:  The sun is centered in this photograph but there is more to the photo then the sunset over water.  The photographer used the rule of thirds by capturing the leaves from the palm tree and a small boy in the left, outer third of the photograph.
Background compliments from composition:  With the background in such clear focus I think it helps complete the photo with the palm trees and small boy on the left of the photo.  They seem to compliment one another well, the boy and the background, and the photo would not be the same without one or the other.
What in the image helped to create that feeling: For me this image makes me feel at peace with the sun and the water.  At first glance I saw a beautiful water scenery but as time went by I began to notice the details and the image grew on me.  I saw that beautiful golden sun trying to shine through the giant cloud on the left.  I also saw the dark palm tree hanging over a boy who is squatted on the left, by the surf.

I came across this image and had to stop and stare at it so I decided to use it.  It is so beautiful with the water and the sunset glistening off the water and the bright blue sky.  I love the ocean so anything having to do with it I am into.  Something about this photo just fascinates me, I could stare at it for hours and still be intrigued.  The way the sun is shining behind that cloud, trying to make itself visible by the sky and water, is captivating to me.