Final Part 2- Concluding Chapter

My views towards the role of photojournalist’s and how they contribute to the media has greatly changed. When I began my very first search about what these people do for a career; it seemed pretty commonsense. But after gaining so much information these past six weeks, this course taught me that it was so much more than that. Photojournalist’s are like heroes. They are brave, they always know what the latest news story is and they witness so many incredible parts of history. Without them, we wouldn’t know what the world looks like. Without them, we would have no knowledge of what occurs in the world around us.

It is important to have a basic understanding about the history of photojournalism. Pictures that were taken many decades ago by these honorable photographers and photojournalist’s, still holds value to the teaching of history today. Knowing what those pictures mean, and who the photographers were, makes looking at the images different. The images now hold more value to us who view them because we have an understanding of how it all began.

During this course, I had the chance to really explore the past and learn how they were able to capture some of the best work in photojournalism. Learning about the technology from the 1800’s and how the wet-plate process worked, was so interesting to read, it truly opened my eyes and made me reflect on how much technology has changed. Also learning about women in photojournalism, I learned so much of their triumphs to get to where they are today. That was one of these best chapter in the course. I really had the opportunity to learn.

Photographs absolutely change the world. Without images, people wouldn’t learn, provide evidence or share stories. Images impacted the human world greatly. Throughout this course, I was exposed to so many different pictures that were taken in different parts of the world. One of my favorites was posted by another student, Patrick Agit. The image was taken by Steve McCurry of an afghan girl. The young girls expression and eyes are so pure, it instills in me this emotion that I cannot explain. Also, another image that made me look at life differently is an image by Lynsey Addario. Her photography is touching and insightful. Because of photojournalist like Steven McCurry and Lynsey Addario, we have the ability to look at images like the ones they’ve taken, and they change our world.

Photo by: Steve McCurry

Image source: http://www.reckontalk.com/afghan-girl-the-most-famous-picture-in-national-geo-graphics-114-year-history/ 

 



 Photo by: Lynsey AddarioImage source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/women-with-vision-photographers-national-geographic_n_5798666.html 

 

During my creative experiential exercise, I walked the streets of Boston with some friends who live in the area. We got to explore the streets and venture through the city. When we reach Fenway Park, there were crowds of people flooding the streets trying to make their way to the stadium. This was the perfect spot for me to snap photos of all the different people around me. Some were eating, some were laughing, or talking. Everyone was engaged in something, living life and enjoying the beginning of summer. This photo to me represents Boston and the American people. It’s patriotic, family oriented, and shows American’s past time…baseball. I felt like I was really capturing the purpose of this assignment. I felt like I was telling a story with my photo. I was able to incorporate everything I learned and it was rewarding. I decided to take this image in black and white because one photojournalist in specific, Henri Cartier-Bresson mentioned once that these images look the best, they make the images look real. This stuck with me, and have found an eye for the beauty in black and white photography.

Image by: Alejandra Ocasio 2016



Being able to sit down, and look through the work of my classmates is fascinating. In such a short amount of time, we each learned the same thing, but differently. We each interpreted each concept in our way, and expressed our thoughts. One of my classmates, Kaitlyn Cruz states her idea about how photos change the world. She stated: “A photograph will not cure world hunger. A photograph will not stop a war. A photograph will not stop pollution. But a photograph might affect someone’s attitude on an issue; it could inspire concern for a situation; or it can reveal a part of the world that was once unknown to someone”. She made a very good point. Photojournalist go to these poverty stricken places, but the only thing that photo could do is spread awareness. I really enjoyed reading Kaitlyn’s response to this interesting question.

Image by: Horst Faas

Image source: http://www.ap.org/Content/Press-Release/2012/Exhibit-to-remember-AP-photojournalist-Horst-Faas

Kelsy Pratts, another student in the course spoke about how photojournalism has changed over time, she states: “Photojournalism has not only come a long way over the years, but the way a photograph is taken has also evolved”. The types of images that can be taken, different setting, and bright colors. After learning about how technology effected photojournalism, it couldn’t be more true. Cameras have developed into such great tools that allow people to document and share stories. Without these new advances, photojournalism probably would not be what it is today.

Image by: Steve McCurry

Image source: https://oharadesigngroup.com/2013/09/27/steve-mccurry/

 

There are many styles of photography and different techniques can be used to make images appear the best they can. Black and white photography has been around for decades, and many photojournalist incorporate this style into their work. Aaliyah Wright from this course mentions in one of her blog post; “when looking at a photo there should be one thing that you should be drawn to and color could make you look at everything else around it”. This statement made me realize that sometimes the vibrancy of colors or the appearance of color can take away from the real purpose of the photo. Many photojournalist have adopted the idea of colored images while others still use their older black and white method.

Photo by: Lynn Johnson

Image source: http://proof.nationalgeographic.com/2013/11/05/are-women-photographers-wired-differently-with-maggie-steber-and-lynn-johnson/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Final Project 1- Photojournalist Profile

Hello, I am Alejandra Ocasio and I am here on behalf of National Geographic to interview Zoriah Miller, often known as Zoriah on his career as a professional photojournalist. He has dedicated many years discovering different parts of the world and documenting on poverty, war, disasters and many issues faced in third world, developing countries. Continue to read to learn more about this fascinating rising American photographer.
 
Alejandra Ocasio: Who have you, or currently worked for?

Zoriah: “I am currently independent and produce all my work freelance. In the past I have worked with Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The BBC, Fortune, the United Nations, and many other organizations”. All of these organizations taught me something different. I got to experience new things at each location. I also had the opportunity to work within different types of assignments which helped me gain more knowledge from different angles.
Alejandra Ocasio: What era do you consider yourself in as a photojournalist?

Zoriah: I would consider myself a 20^th /21^st century photojournalist. “I began photography when I was 15 years old and within the first year of shooting I won a national award and was pretty into the idea of becoming a photojournalist”. “I graduated college, moved to New York, was in the music industry for six years, gave that up to go abroad and study disaster management and humanitarian aid to developing countries, hated that and then picked up a used camera and a plane ticket and have been shooting ever since then”. It wasn’t until I studied abroad that I had the chance to travel and witness the culture shock taking place within me. I was seeing and learning from the people around me. It inspired me to continue to travel and document all of these incredible situations taking place around me.

Alejandra Ocasio: What motivates you as a photojournalist?

Zoriah: “I became a photojournalist because I believe that it is important to show western eyes the way people live in the rest of the world and to motivate them know more and care more about their fellow human beings”. I want to share the stories of these strong human beings and all that they endure. They too deserve our attention. It is important that we bring forward these real life stories. They are the reason we have news to read and stories to tell on the nightly news. They deserve recognition.

Alejandra Ocasio: What type of photographic equipment do you use? What affect did this technology impact your images?

Zoriah: “I shoot on Canon 1ds MKIII’s because I want the highest image quality along with the most rugged body”. When I use this camera my photos are crisp and close to perfection. I also have a few techniques like “RAW images, shot up close on a 16-35mm or a 50mm 1.2 lens”. All these different ways of shooting is what makes the best picture. There are so many types of images that can be produced just by changing a lens, or using a specific camera. It’s what adds the creativity side to it all in my opinion.

Alejandra Ocasio: What ethical dilemmas have you encountered?

Zoriah: I have found myself to be in a few scandalous situations in my career. I was reading a news article once about me that went into detail about a certain issue that occurred back when I worked for the U.S. Army; it stated: “he was kicked out of his embed with the United States Forces when he was accused of having violated his terms of agreement that governed his embedding by taking pictures of dead and injured US soldiers and allegedly for having provided the enemy with a report of the after-action status, on the effectiveness of their attack and the response procedures of the US and Iraqi forces”. This was a very tough situation. It took some time to clear up but once it did I was able to return back to my assignments and continue working in the field.
Alejandra Ocasio: Do you have any biases?

Zoriah: I believe I do in a certain weird way. I love concentrating around the same type of topics, which include humanitarian issues, but I’ll occasionally branch off into a new direction to change things up a bit. “I focus on critical social issues. I like to photograph things that can change…things that can actually be affected by my pictures. Whether that be showing the reality of war or the desperation of poverty and illness”. This is what I have been doing since I graduated college. It’s where my heart is, and that is what lead me to work independently so I can focus of the subjects of my choice.

Alejandra Ocasio: How did your images impact society?

Zoriah: “I think its important to realize these situations exist”. Society needs to know that these things are occurring in the world we live in. whether they are directly linked to us or not, they still impact everything around us. These are stories that need to be read and watched. They contribute to all the important things that are continently being ignored.

IMAGES BY ZORIAH MILLER & PHOTOGRAPH PRINCIPLE ASSESSMENTS

Image source: http://alchetron.com/Zoriah-Miller-255721-W

 

This image taken by Zoriah in black and white is so crisp. It enhances the facial expressions by this young child. The tear falling is vibrant and you can really grasp the emotions that are being portrayed. The photo also shares similarities of a photo I’ve seen by photographer Felix Masi who also focuses his work around poverty in the slums of Kenya.

 

Image source: http://paradigmmagazine.com/2012/07/30/paradigm-magazine-zoriah-miller-interview/

 

The subject's expression is clear and visibly shows the pain, the suffering this woman has experienced. She is dying, possibly of malnutrition and this photo tells the story of a woman who is living in poverty. The pictures lighting is on the dull, dark side. There is small amounts of light that allows for the viewer to see clearly every angle of the photo. It brings forward the colors and the shadows of the woman’s face.

 

Image source: http://petapixel.com/2010/06/03/interview-with-zoriah-miller/

 

This photo was taken specifically of this main, and he was the main subject for this image. The image is also simple, and not crowded.  Zoriah focused on this man I would say because of the powerful expression on his face. This image is a story in every way of a man suffering, crying and sad. The red background adds a contrast to the image, but the plain background also allows for the man to stand out. It makes him the center of this image.

 

Image source: http://www.themontrealreview.com/2009/Interview-with-Zoriah-Miller.php

The image is an abstraction that represents the life taken of the American soldiers that have fought for our country. The image represents the hardship these soldiers faced across seas in third world countries. Zoriah shines light on the ones who are really a part of history. The background also compliments the image because is adds character. It also adds to the type of photos Zoriah likes to photograph. The background appears to be of a deserted area, probably somewhere in the Middle East. This demonstrates that our soldiers witnessed the life the people of these countries lived. They witnessed history.

 

My Major at AIC: Photojournalism is quite similar to nursing in an odd but interesting way. We learn about the ethics that us nurses must follow in order to best care for our patients. We also tell the stories of our patients, in a sense that we learn so much from them, and those situations stay with us forever. We learn from them and grow as individual nurses. The time, and experience is what leads us to great, long but rewarding careers.

 

Viewpoint: This photojournalist has been viewed different by different audiences. His work does not appeal the eye of everyone because of how raw and pure it is. He is not afraid to show the real stories and people are not used to that. They are used to the edited, “safe” displays of work the media has controlled. His work is real and some people might find it too graphic. That is was lead him to work on his own. And he continues for find himself successful and happy with what he does.











Chapter 9: What Motivates Photojournalist

Photojournalist #1- LYNSEY ADDARIO

Image source: http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/imdyi162/joel-sartore.html

Image by: Joel Sartore

Lynn Johnson is a woman photojournalist that has set the bar. She finds herself in a profession that is still dominated by males, but she does not let that interfere with her career. She mentions in her video interview that “gender is factor and you cannot ignore it”. Lynesy Addario also, a female photojournalist is known for her award winning photographs and never giving up attitude. But she is also admired because of her gender and the role it plays in photojournalism. Addario has traveled the world to capture war, famine and death that takes place on this earth. She has found herself in devastating situations but continued to go back into the battlefield. Why? Well, her motivation is what drives her to continue her profession as a photojournalist. In an interview about her recent published book “It’s What I Do” she says: “it’s a calling, it takes over who I am. People ask me why I do this…and it is what makes me most alive, it is what I believe in, it is my happiness, and it’s what I do”.

Image by: Lynsey Addario
Image source: http://itswhatidobook.com/

Photojournalist #2- SPIDER MARTIN

Image by: unknown
Image source: https://www.allaboutjazz.com/who-was-spider-martin-by-aaj-staff.php  

Everyone faces their own hardships and personal battles. The struggle of one person is not the same for another. Photojournalist like Gordon Parks encourages others like himself to “don’t let the blackness weigh you down”. Some can say that Spinder Martin also believed in that as well. Martin was a African American photojournalist during the Civil Rights movement in Alabama. Being of his black decent made it difficult for him to rise, but he never gave up. In short summary of his history as a photographer they describe his work ethic as a black photographer: “Those same chills were transferred to a real battle field for human rights, and there arose in Spider a rage for the atrocities committed by his fellow Alabamians against his fellow Alabamians”. He was strong willed and wanted justice for his people. He was motivated and produced amazing photographs that made history what it is today. Martin Luther King acknowledges his integrity and mentions: “Spider, we could havemarched, we could have protested forever, but if it weren’t for guys like you,it would have been for nothing. The whole world saw your pictures. That’s why the Voting Rights Act passed”. People like Spider Martin were a part of greatness, and even better, they shined the light on news that changed our world today.

Image by: Spider Martin

Image Source: http://www.locationshub.com/blog/2015/1/26/selma-proudly-filmed-on-location-in-alabama-and-Georgia

 

 

Photojournalist #3- ZORIAH

Image by: unknown
Image source: http://petapixel.com/tag/warphotographer/



 

Zoriah Miller, often known as just Zoriah is a humanitarian aid, involved in disaster management and also a war photojournalist. He is driven by the crisis that occurs in developing countries and works to spread awareness. In an interview about how he became a photojournalist and why he states: “I decided to pick up my camera after a long hiatus and set out to document disasters and humanitarian crisis. I believed that I could use the power and emotion of the still image to educate the people and suffering in the developing world”. He travels the world to capture the worst moments of people’s lives. It is his motivation to share this with others around the world. His images carry messages; messages that change people forever. There are other war photojournalist, like Felix Masi. He too is motivated to share the stories of the people suffering in his community in Kenya. In an interview with InFocus, he states: “I knew my heart was to be a photographer of telling peoples stories”. He grew up in this country, he walked throughout the slums, and that inspired him. Like Zoriah, he too risks his life to bring forward the news that takes place in third world countries.

Image by: Zoriah
Image source: http://paradigmmagazine.com/2012/07/30/paradigm-magazine-zoriah-miller-interview/

 



 

Motivation is something that comes from within. It is a fire that burns inside us and pushes us to accomplish things we could never image. Each day that I wake up, there is something that pushes me to continue to go to school, and work and be a good daughter. What is that fire made of inside of me? My family is my motivation. I was raised by a family of women. They are each so strong, brave and smart. But they are all so unhappy. They never to risks to do the things they wanted. They have taught me how to view this world, and how to live life, my way. They have instilled in me the power of happiness, peace, love and laughter, to never give up on my dreams. I carry that with each day, and I never leave it behind. Just like the photojournalist Lynsey Addario, I am not afraid to stand out in a world that is dominant by men. Like Spider Martin, I want to witness history. And like Zoriah, I want to help share stories of the beautiful people in the world. But in order for me to do this, I have to take each day, step by step. Like these photojournalist, I have to take that leap onto the other side, and live. Live fully, live happily, and live now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 8: Photojournalism and Bias

Going Home by Ed Clark
Image source: http://www.thegreatleapsideways.com/?p=209

The man playing the instrument is crying, yet he shows bravery. The women in the background notice him, some looking at him others looking away. What does he see? What is making him so sad? From admiring this image, I believe that he is experiencing a tragedy. The women behind are also sad and even hiding their faces. I notice that he is the only one of color, and therefore, he is the one that has to stand there feeling humiliated, because he has no choice. Donald Webber states: "Just because a photo looks like photojournalism, doesn’t mean it’s Photojournalism", and I believe this to be true. The man in this photo probably did not want to get photographed, or viewed as an object of interest. For this man, he might be completing a task of his everyday life, and to him this may not be considered a part of history.

 



 Image Assessment

Subjects Expression: He is sad, his eyes are fixed in something, could be a person speaking, could be a crowd of people, but he is engaged on that specific thing. His expression is deep, and he shows his true emotions.

Black and white: The image is presented in black and white and it brings character to the photograph. The image has more impact being in black and white and draws the attention to the main subject of the photo.

What feelings does this image create? The photo creates heart break and curiosity. As many view the image, his facial expressions draw you in and you can almost feel his pain, without knowing what caused it. And that too makes the audience wonder the reasons behind the image and what caused the photographer to capture this specific moment in time. The women in the photo also add to the mood of the picture because they are also sad and feeling the same pain as him.

 

Photo by: Ingetje Tadros

Image source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kennedy-hill-ingetje-tadros

 

 Professor John Nordell states: "we are expose to new cultures all the time". Every where we go,we will encounter new things and gain knowledge about the people in the world around us. When we are seeking insight on new cultures, and learning new things, we want this information to be real and true. But the truth is what most people are afraid of showing. Most are ashamed of sharing who they are because of the way the will be judged. But there are people in this world that do not know otherwise, and they show who they are...always. The image above was taken by award winning Australian photojournalist Ingetje Tadros. The photograph above was taken of the indigenous people of Kennedy Hill Australia. She captured eye opening photos of the people and their lifestyle. This is pure, raw work that shows the way these people live their day to day lives. The women in the image above are preparing meals for their families. They work hard to make sure their mothers, fathers and children have meals to eat. This image is a symbol of the true way these Australian natives live each and every day. Shahidul Alam mentions in his interview that "a story has many truths...the story is about the people". The photograph above does just that. It tells the truth, and the true story of these natives and their daily lives. They do not hide, nor shy away the camera. These women show their truth.

 

Image Assessment

 Contrast: The image had a lot of dark and bright areas that highlight the women's features. It adds accent to the background and the woman's hands. It makes the image pop and stand out.

Shadows: There is a lot of shadow being used. There are parts of the image that are hard to see, but this is used very well in order to have the subject of the image (the women) stand out. The use of shadow makes the picture dark, and adds interest to the audience. It gives the picture an eerie feel. 

Texture: The image appears to have a wet look to it. It could be from the high contrast and the black and white effect. It creates a tropical feeling, which is interesting since the natives are from Australia. It adds character and you really get connected with the subject of the photo. It draws you in.

 

 

Image by: David McNew
Image source: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/08/anti_gay_bigotry_online_analyzing_homophobic_comments_can_disarm_the_hate_.html 

 

"Above-average emphasis on news of crime and vice; the use of illustrations"- also known as the definition of yellow journalism. Even though that type of work was mainly seen in the late 1890's, it was untruthful work that over highlighted the news that was not meant to be in the eye of the public. When I see the image above, I get angry and hurt that people in the country we live in view one another as "terrorist" because of their sexual orientation. They are judged because of who they love. People who could feel such hate towards others show the face of untruthful, inhumane, insensitive  people in our society. American is a place where anything is possible, I place people come to to live their dreams. Betty Lane, a photojournalist and activist was known for her magnificent work in the 1970's. She too took part in Stonewall, a protest for gay rights. She was a part of a great movement that has affected our society today, making it possible for the LGBT community. Those are the news that should be in our headlines, not the shaming and blaming of those that love differently.  

 

Image Assessment

Simple? The image has other protestors in the background holding signs, which makes the image not too cluttered, but not focused on one specific subject.

Background: The people in the background add to the main point of the picture. They show strong expressions that make up the mood of the photo.

Abstraction: This photograph is a representation of everything that is wrong with the people in our society. Yes there is freedom of speech and freedom to believe in anything of our choosing, but the way people shame one another is unbelievable. The U.S. has recently experienced a terrible attack killing 50 people of the LGBT community. This image is very representational still today.

 

 

Emotion and intuition are my go too with anything decision that I have to make. Anyone ever tell you to "tryst your gut"? Well, I trust mine very much. Our intuition and ways of thinking come from our own ethics and values; partially what we are taught as children and what we learn through experience. It is important to use these emotions and feelings to help us make choices. If we don't, how would we know what we like and dislike, believe in and not. Our thoughts and feelings create a source for us as individuals to rely on. They will never let us down. 



 





 

The Ethics of Photojournalism

Photojournalist base their work off the code of ethics, a representation of their work and proper handling of the product. Everyone and everything thing has a reason for existence, and the values they follow in order to be happy with who they are and what they are. If one of these principals is broken, it will no longer hold its value. Back in 2012, a code of ethics in photojournalism was questioned. Was photo-sharing something that would be tolerated, or accepted? What does it entitle? And why were other photographers being robbed of their photos?


Instagram photo of Hurricane Sandy used for Time Magazine
Image by: Ben Lowy
Image source: http://www.poynter.org/2012/photojournalism-in-2012-a-year-of-excellence-ethical-challenges-and-errors/198160/ 

Social media has become a global epidemic. Everyone has the accessibility to see any work that is posted on the forums, making it incredibly easy to simply take a “screen shot” or save to a mobile device. Instagram became very popular in early 2012. It was social media account that is based on photographs that people download onto their profile. This intrigued people of all ages to become their own selfie photographer or he next Time magazine photographer. However, photojournalist that were using this account to share their expertise work were being shared all over social media with everyone to see, and these photos can altered, exposed for the wrong people to see…anything. They were too public for the public. But was this a bad thing at all?

Jeff Sonderman writes about the ethical challenges in photojournalism and how this impacted some photojournalist. He states: “Some wondered if these apps were dumbing down photography and whether it's appropriate for journalists to use them”. Photojournalist were beginning to use these accounts to share beautiful and meaningful photographs, to share with the world the news that is flooding the news-stands but people were not taking it as serious as they thought. It was beginning to change the face of photojournalism and they were pleased with the outcome. Unfortunately, social media will simply continue to grow and take over as the main source of information and news. Technology is helping enhance everything around us, even the way we express our work and talents.

Photo captured on Instagram of a dead man
Image by: unknown
Image source: http://www.poynter.org/2012/photojournalism-in-2012-a-year-of-excellence-ethical-challenges-and-errors/198160/

As a young woman, raised by a family of women, I learned what the true meaning of value is, something that weighs heavy in my personal ethics. Value to me translates as understanding the worth of what I own, and the privilege of what I have. I feel like photojournalists think the same way. When they take an award winning photo, they do not want anyone taking that away from them. That is their prized possession and they will treat it with respect. They are proud of their hard work. I carry the same attitude with me. I am proud of who I am, and all the things I have accomplished. I would want no one to take that away from me. The same goes for photojournalist. When they post their greatly admired work on these public sites, it begins to lose value. This is what triggered an ethical dilemma to arise. Photojournalist need to fight to continue their work being meaningful and views as stories of history in the making.

Ethics Map
Image by: Alejandra Ocasio

Chapter 6: Women Photojournalists - Trials and Triumphs

Image by: unknown
Image source:http://www.thebetterindia.com/13969/homai-vyarawalla-india-first-female-photo-journalist/

Homai Vyarawalla was the first woman photojournalist in India. She was born in Navsari, Gujarat in 1913. Vyarawalla became interested in photography at a young age. Her boyfriend who later became her husband was a photographer for a newspaper in India as well as an accountant for The Times of India. After beginning her career, she began taking pictures of some of the most influential people of her time from all over the world. Not only was she a female, but she was a part of an era where greatness occurred both in India and around the world. She had the opportunity to be a part of history. Kainaz Amaria from NPR states: “Vyarawalla's black-and-white images poetically captured monumental moments in India's history, such as the first flag raising, the departure of British Viceroy Lord Mountbatten and the funeral of Mahatma Gandhi, as well as notable dignitaries who passed through Delhi, such as Jacqueline Kennedy, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King”.“Vyarawalla's story of triumph and commitment would have faded away had it not been for an inquisitive Delhi-based photographer who noticed a lone female name in a long list of men in the Press Information Bureau records”. Homai Vyarawalla worked hard to become the photographer she was. She had to battle through people’s opinions and hurtful words of being a women in a profession dominated by men. Her great work was published by numerous famous magazines like Time and LIFE of India. But it was not until 1970 that she gave up her career shortly after her only son and husband passed away. Vyarawalla later passed away at the age of 98 in January of 2012.

After doing though research on the women of photojournalism and learning about all the struggles they faced to earn their positions in the profession, I also learned that they are not the only ones. Women in the field of Science and Technology also face difficulty in their line of work. Aauw.com states: “While the number of women earning college degrees in science has increased in the past decade, two recent reports remind us of the hostile environment and discrimination women still face in the workplace. As AAUW research has shown, stereotypes, gender bias, and the climate of academic departments in colleges and universities continue to block women’s participation and progress in science, technology, engineering, and math”. As being a female myself pursing a career the medical field, this shines the light on the truth in the work place. Even in 2016, women still face difficulty being treated as equals. Our work ethic, and education is no different than of males. It is the duty of educated women to continue paving the way to equality in the work place. To set the tone for the future of the women in the world.



Image by: Everett Collection
Image source: http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2014/07/women_in_science_technology_engineering_math_history_of_advocacy_from_1940.html

I have heard many testimonies from the women in my family and the war they face every day at their jobs.  One that came to mind as I write this assignment is my aunt who was a part of the U.S Navy. When she joined back in 1980’s, being a woman in the military was less common than it is now. She encountered many obstacles that made her question her decisions on joining the Navy. Men using degrading words towards her, treating her like she was incapable of doing the same things as the men in her unit. But none of that stopped her from continuing on with the hard work she was ready to put in. Now in 2016, she finds herself to be a successful police officer in Miami, FL and she continues to prove that women can do anything they put their mind to.  

Image by: Scott Olson
Image source: http://www.kgw.com/news/nation-now/military-officials-women-should-register-for-draft-just-like-men/30569329

Assessment of Images from above:

Image 1: Homai Vyarawalla Subject's Expression- Homai's face is relaxed, with her eyes focused on something other than the camera. Her body is slouched a bit with her camera placed on her left shoulder. She appears interested in what is in front of her, and she looks ready to capture her next memorable picture.
Quality of Light- The background of this image seems cloudy, as if the day was gloomy and dark, therefore the image itself is not bright. The overall quality of the picture is clear.
In or out of focus- The image is in focus, and you can see that she is the main subject of the photo. the background is slightly off focus, but is gives the picture a soft feeling. Her expression also plays a role because it focuses on her facial appearance.
Why I chose this image- Out of all the pictures of Homai, I felt as though it capture a true representation of her and her work. She looks timeless in this photo, and it capture a bit of her culture in the background as well.


Image 2: Women in Science
Keep it simple- The photo is cluttered a bit, with what appears to be a science lab. But without the background, the image would not serve it's purpose. The point of the chemistry lab and utensils being shown in the picture mean that she is in a setting with chemicals and she is doing a "mans" job. There is no one else in the picture except for her which means she is independent.
Use of shadows- Shadows are used very nicely in the picture. In the glass containers are chemicals and liquids and the shadows make them appear darker and showing the smoke building in the bottles. Also the background has shadows where the book case is and it gives the images a smoky effect.
Black and white- The image was taken in black and white which adds character to the picture. The women's hair also gives off that this was taken in a different era, possibly the 1950's which is fascinating given that she is a woman working in a chemistry lab. The black and white captures the rawness of the photograph showing that it was in a time where it was rare to see a women being educated and head strong.
Why I chose this image- From the images that appeared when I searched for women in science, they were all of women that are seen today. But what captured my attention was that this image was taken long ago. It is a true representation of how long women have been breaking the chains of social norms. I also liked it because it was in black and white.


Image 3: Women in the Military
Exposure time- A fast shutter speed would have been used to take this picture. The women in this photo are in the middle of a drill or specific workout and they do not have the leisure to stop to take a photo. therefore I believe this image was taken with a fast shutter speed in order to capture the women in the middle of their hard work.
What feeling does this image create? This photo is a representation of mind over matter. The girl in the photograph is pushing herself to continue to fight and to not achieve anything but that. She is carrying heavy bags on her shoulders which are a symbolism of the criticism she must face every day. 
Background compliments- The background is of dirt roads, women holding riffles and trees. The impact of the background tells a story beyond the girl being photographed. The dirt demonstrates isolation, the trees represent nature and growth and the military girl is strength. They all make up the ultimate purpose of the image.

 Why I chose this image- I enjoyed this image because it wasn't just of females posing for the camera in their military uniforms smiling. This photo shows the true, everyday life of a female soldier who has to work harder than her peers to prove she is capable to do anything she sets her mind to. This photo represents women as hard working and dedicated people.

 

Chapter 5: Technology Timeline

Technology timeline from Alejandra Ocasio

Chapter 4: Working In the Digital Age

Photojournalism has changed dramatically over time with the new development of technology. In the digital era that we live in today, it is no surprise to see people using hand held devices to capture snap shots of the high way car accident, or the cat that got stuck in a tree. People in our society now have become tech savvy and they are using it to their advantage. Well, more updated technology is being created believe it or not and it is making its way into the world of photojournalism.

 Drones are beginning to take over. In case you’ve never heard or seen a drone, it reminds me of something you’d see in a futuristic movie. It is unbelievably high tech and it is almost too good to be true. For photojournalist today, they serve as a convenient tool for them to report the latest news stories. They also serve as a protective barrier for those who put themselves out there to capture the best image possible. Harry de Quetteville quotes Kevin Carter, a well-known photojournalist on his views on drones: “An unmanned drone has no fear, no family, and no doubts. It will fly into the most dangerous, openly hostile environment and capture the best, most incredible images that us ‘real’ reporters could ever hope for”. His thoughts make a great point— the lives of photojournalist would be safer, and they would be able to conquer any project with no limitations.


Image by: Eric Cheng
Image source: http://gizmodo.com/how-to-turn-drone-photography-into-breathtaking-art-1739847364

 Drones are devices that are multipurpose. People around the world can use them differently. They can be used to transport AED’s to dying people, or they can be used to capture soldiers at war. This new innovation has been designed to do just about anything. The pros of this amazing innovation have served as a new stepping stone for photojournalists. Stevesandberg mentions in their article about drones that “drones have the potential to be a powerful tool for photojournalists, allowing them to take aerial photos, capture vast images, and shoot airborne footage that can help tell print and TV stories in new and unique ways". This could not be any truer. The possibilities are endless; projects high and low can be covered using the smart drone.


Image by:Tomas van Houtryve
Image source: http://time.com/3627980/drone-country-see-america-from-above/

As professor Nordell mentions in his video on The Digital mindset, he states, “different people take in information in different ways” and this is extremely true. Compared to the way photographs were taken in the 1800s, the wet plate collodion process was the only source of technology they could use to capture images. It was a long and tedious process, but the new digital age has changed that completely. Yes both were used as means of communication and insight, but technology today has made it possible to capture clearer, closer and brighter images. Drones have proven to us that no matter the size or height, anything can be captured. Unlike the older pre-digital cameras, drones are capable of anything. Dallas News says that “today’s professional photographer needs only a backpack to carry everything for shooting and delivering photos”. This is very true. Photojournalist are adventure filled individuals that are ready to take on the next big news hit. And with the creation of drones and new technology, they won’t need anything but their artistic eye for amazing photos.

Chapter 3: The Art of Photojournalism

 

Image by: Trumbull White

Image source: http://cultureandhistory.revistas.csic.es/index.php/cultureandhistory/article/viewArticle/36/142

Year created: 1898

Subject Expression: She is slightly smiling, but has a soft look on her face. She is looking away from the camera, not making any eye contact, almost as if she were being flirtatious. Her body seems relaxed, and pure.

Quality of Light: The lighting in this image appears dull and flat. There is not much contrast but perhaps too much exposure in certain areas. The picture is more on the gray scale of the spectrum and does not use any bold statements.

Background Compliment: The photographer focuses on just the Afro-Puerto Rican women; he also includes the village people in the background as accessories that compliment her. The people add character and incorporate her origin. They show where they come from, and how they live.

Why did I choose this image? I chose this image because my mother’s family originates from Puerto Rico. This photo captured a different take on Latina women and how they look. Not all Puerto Ricans are of light complexion. We are a race of different shades of skin and hair texture. This image shows the beauty of the Afro-Puerto Rican women that are a part of our family ancestry.

Image by: Unknown
Image source: http://www.enciclopediapr.org/ing/section_mm_photo.cfm?cat=42
Year created: 1946

 Use of Shadows: In this image, the dark shadows give it a gritty look, showing the roughness of the dirt under the boy’s fingernails. It brings forward darkness to the image, which to me demonstrates the hard work the body in this pueblo go through selling newspapers.

 Exposure Time: the picture was captured at a slower shutter time. The image does not appear to be of any movement; the child was simply standing holding the newspaper in his hands. The photographer did freeze a moment in time where the boy is holding the papers in his hand, and it captured it at the very right moment while the boy was looking away.

 Image Black and White: this photo was taken in black and white. The photographer did have a choice in the selection of color, but chose otherwise. This was likely done because during this era, photojournalism was mainly seen as black and white. The reason for that is because black and white seems more life-like and natural.

Why did I choose this image? This photograph captured my attention because of the young boy holding the newspaper. It appears as though he is selling the paper for money. Money probably to give to his mother so that she can buy rice and milk so she could feed her family. Puerto Rico was facing a very difficult time in its economy at this time in history, and young boys and girls were expected to work hard to help provide for their families. This image also shows the side of childhood. The smile on his face reminds me of the way children grow up on the island; filled with smiles and sincerity.

Image by: Courtesy of the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Metal Alliance
Image source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/06/a-soldiers-mission-to-honor-segregated-65th-regiment-borinqueneers/
Photo created: 1952

 Abstraction: this photograph is a representation of the men of Puerto Rico that died defending both their island as well as the United States of America. Many of the men in this photograph did not get the opportunity to get recognized for their service.

What Feelings Does This Image Create? It creates strength and dignity. You can see that these men are tired, but they hold their flag proudly. You can tell that they fought harder than they ever have in their life. The image captured a rare photograph of the special group of men that contributed to our country’s history.

 What in the Image Helped Create That Feeling? The flag played a big role in drawing in the emotions. The way these men made sure to take a photo of themselves with the flag shows how important it is to them, and to their island of Puerto Rico.

What made you choose this image? I picked this image for a few different reasons. While I was looking up photographs of Puerto Rico, this picture appeared. I did more research and I learned that this group of men were the first and only group of all Puerto Rican men in the US Army—The Borinquenners of the 65th Regiment. They fought in the Korean War, and in 2014 were given gold medals of Honor by President Barack Obama. After discovering this I became so happy. I learned something new about my heritage and the history of the island that my family calls home.

 

 

 



 

Chapter Two: Pre-Digital Photographic Technology

Photo by: Anonymous- A veteran with his wife
Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collodion_process

The collodion process is the invention that opened the door to photojournalism. The technique that was used was different than any other, and gave photographers the opportunity to take their work on the road. This was made possible by F.Scott Archer, the creator of the Collodion process. Its work was published in1851, but it was not until 1855 that this image process replaced both the daguerreotypeand the calotype process. This was brought forward by William Henry Fox Talbot. What exactly is the wet collodion process? It consists of six chemistry specific steps that are crucial to the process of taking and developing photographs. Without them, the photographs wouldn’t have their character and beauty. Alternative photography states that this process is used to makedifferent image types: The Ambrotype, the Tintype, and a negative. They also mention the important steps needed in order to successfully take and develop a photograph using this process.

The development of the wet collodion process led the path the success of many photojournalist; for instance Rodger Fenton. Many would claim that because of him, the birth of photojournalism happened, and made the impossible, possible. In 1855, he was sent to Crimea to capture the gruesome photos of wounded soldiers and to help tell the stories of these resilient men. He used the wet collodion process to take all those images, and he did it differently than most. He took all his equipment and put it inside a truck and therefore he was able to travel and photograph everything around him. This showed others that if he could do it, so could other photojournalist.

Unlike the photojournalist of today, Fenton had to only photograph still objects. And that’s what happens when using a collodion process. It becomes more difficult to capture the point of interest if it is moving. But nonetheless, Fenton changed how photojournalist photographed their images, as well as creative innovation on how to use the collodion process. Uncc.edu mentions a statement given by Evans that reads: “Roger Fenton, who was in a way the father of modern photojournalism,took a photo wagon to Crimean War with the deliberate aim of taking photographsthat would boost domestic morale…(Evans 32) ”

Photo By: Alejandra Ocasio

The photograph I share today has important meaning not only to myself, but to my family. We are a small, but strong and united. We will always be there to hold on another up when we feel like we can no longer stand our own two feet. The day I took this photo was a day that I will never forget. When I took that photo, I had no idea what photojournalism was or what it even meant. But now I can reflect; and understand the artistic side of this image. It is very different than the photographs Fenton took and from images taken by the wet collodion process, but yet it is so similar. When using the wet plate, there are many techniques that are used and specific solutions required in order for the image to come out as clear as possible. Even though I did not use any of those specific products, I too had to use proper technique to capture this image. My photograph looks nothing like the ones produced by the wet plate, but without the invention of the collodion process, it would have been impossible to capture mine. I now have the opportunity to capture an image on my phone or on a handheld camera and be able to save it for many years to come. Civil war trust states “Today pictures aretaken and stored digitally, but in 1861, the newest technology was wet-platephotography, a process in which an image is captured on chemically coatedpieces of plate glass. This was a complicated process done exclusively byphotographic professionals” . That could not be any more true. In the world we live in today, anyone has the ability to capture beautiful photographs and share them with the world, like the way I am today.