Monday, May 23, 2016

Introduction to the History of Photojournalism

What is photojournalism? When these words are separated, they have two different meanings. According to the Icon Photography School, “Photojournalism is the process of storytelling using the medium of photography as your main story telling device. While a journalist will use their pen and paper to tell stories, a photojournalist will use their camera to capture the visual representation of a story”. There are many key parts that make up the talent of a photojournalist. They have been exhibiting their work for centuries. Their work is used to depict the news that is taking place currently, whether it is local, national or global. Photojournalist are brave individuals who risk their lives to capture the perfect shot.

As mentioned by Light Stalking, “the very first printed journalistic photos had to be interpreted from engravings. This practice started in 1853 when the first known photojournalist landed on the scene. Carol Szathmari, a Romanian painter and photographer, documented the Crimean War”. This was the breaking point in photojournalism. The images captured were being used as evidence and resourceful information in the news, for everyone to see.

Light Stalking also states that Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans and Gordon Parks were the photojournalists of the Golden Age. These photographers took some of the greatest images publically seen as well as honorable recognition. It all began with these courageous people who stepped out into the world to create what we call history. Images like the the Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange are what paved the way of photojournalists
Photo by: Dorothea Lange
Photojournalism is a fascinating field of work, but without knowing its origin and the key components that make up this profession, you will not understand its true glory. Like professor Nordell mentions in his video, "the skills and attributes to being an effective photojournalist is having good ethics, fairness, unbiased and familiar with the most up to date news stories". And as a photojournalist, you must study the past and the present in order to become the best you can be. The history of photojournalism holds the key to success in this field of work. This field Is distinct from other lines of photography. Wise Geek states “A photographer who follows traditional farmers in rural England is a documentary photographer, but one who takes pictures of the aftermath of a suicide bombing for publication in the news is a photojournalist.”
Photo by: Thomas E. Frankin
Image Source: https://journoprof.co/


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