Photojournalism... Back >>>
For my photojournalism research, I have looked at what defines Photojournalism, and also at several different Photographers (Photojournalism Practitioners) and their works.
- What is Photojournalism? -
Photojournalism is a form of journalism using the medium of photography as the main story telling device. Using their cameras to capture the visual representation of a story, Photojournalists have no need for the standard pen and paper way of documenting an event.
“A photo is worth a thousand words.”
The first notable event to have been captured through the means of photojournalism is considered to be the Crimean War. This also provided the groundwork for all future photojournalism.
Initially images were just used to support written stories, but through Media change and the popularity of a more visual story telling form, photos are now displayed on their own in a way which expresses a narrative.
Photojournalism is distinct from Documentary making however, in that photojournalism focuses on documenting specific events, whereas documentaries focus on on-going situations. They are similar though, in that both aim to take objective, honest and information photos.
Photojournalists use both film and stills cameras for their work, and their equipment will be of the highest standard, but light-weight and hard wearing so that they aren’t hindered by their equipment when taking photos in all situations.
- Photojournalism Practitioners -
Inge Morath (America, b. Austria 1923, d.
USA 2002.) Inge Morath joined the newly formed Magnum agency as an editor and began photographing London in 1951, assisting Henri Cartier-Bresson as a researcher in 1953-54. In 1955, after working for two years as a photographer, she became a Magnum member. I think, whether she intended for it or not, and probably through assisting him, her seems to be quite influenced by Bresson’s ‘Decisive Moment’ theory. A lot of her work can be compared to Bresson’s preferred ‘in the moment’ style shots.  |  A self portrait of Inge in 1958.  Photo from here. |
(American, b. 1933)
When photographer Bruce Davidson was
drafted into the army and stationed near Paris, he met Henri Cartier-Bresson,
one of the founders of the renowned cooperative photography agency – Magnum
photos.
I think that through meeting Bresson, Davidson’s future work was
directly inspired by the ideas and theories Bresson championed.
 The Widow of Montmartre - Paris. 1956. | I adore this photo because it has been captured with a great deal of raw emotion, it seems to be a perfect example of the Decisive Moment and Davidson has captured a truly beautiful and poignant moment. Davidson seems to have wanted to show the
sadness of a widow on her own, and did so through capturing an image where
there was a couple embracing one another in the foreground out of focus, and
the widow behind in full focus so that your attention is drawn to her. She is also standing up and moving to leave
the area, which suggests great sadness and an unwillingness of hers to stay
near what is now her past.
|
 USA. 1963. Alabama. Black Americans. I really like the way this photo in particular has been taken, simple because of the detail within it. You can see the people in the back of the police van, but are also able to read their confiscated sign in the Policeman’s hand, which I think helps set the desperate and conflicting mood of the photo and also perhaps encourages an emotional response from the viewer, however whether or not it's positive towards the Police or towards the protestor is up to the person looking at the photo. |  USA. 1963. Birmingham. A female protester is arrested and led away by police. I think that this photo of a woman being arrested by tow Policemen is very effective because of how you can see the expressions on their faces and the tight grip of the Policemen’s hands on the protestor’s arms. The Policemen both carry looks of distain and anger, whilst the woman has a look of rebellion and determined defiance. Contextually, I think that this is the sort
of photo that would be extremely valuable in documenting the fight for Black
African-American civil rights in the USA throughout the 50’s and 60’s, purely because of
the way a moment of deep struggle has been captured so clearly and abruptly in an image.
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