1. Photo Journalism Experience
Photojournalism is a form of journalism collecting, editing and presenting the material
needed for the publication that creates the images in order to tell a story. It is now normally
just aimed at still images now but in some cases the term also refers to videos used in
broadcast journalism. Good Photojournalism works very close to other types of
photography such as documentary, social documentary, street and also celebrity
photography. The work should comply with a rigid ethic framework which demands that the
work is both honest and impartial whilst telling the story in strictly journalistic terms.
Photojournalists create photographs that contribute to the news media. Like a writer a
photojournalist is a reporter but they must make decisions instantly in some cases and to
carry photographic equipment. While often exposed to significant obstacles such as physical
danger, weather, crowds and many more.
Timeliness- The images produced should have a meaning in the context of a recently
published record of events.
Objectivity- The situation implied by the photographs is fair and accurate
representation of the event they depict in both content and tone.
Narrative- The photographs combined with other news elements to make facts
relatable to the viewer or reader on a cultural level. Very Good
People have their career destroyed in photojournalism by even a hint of photo manipulation.
This is why many photojournalists prefer to use a traditional method which is film rather than
the digital camera. Although digital cameras allow photojournalists to review the photos
taken immediately in the field, digital images are a lot easier to manipulate than film
negatives. I like this point Claire. Where did you gain the
opinion that a career can be destroyed by photo
manipulation? Validate it with a reference.
Henri Cartier-Bresson:
Henri Cartier-Bresson is known as one of the greatest photographer of his time, He was a shy
French man who raised “Snap shooting” to a level of a refined and disciplined art. His sharp
shooting ability to catch the decisive moment, his precise eye for design, self taught methods
of work, and his comments about the theory and practice of photography made him a
legendary figure among contemporary photojournalists. “During the work, you have to be
sure that you haven’t left any holes, that you’ve captured everything, because afterwards it
will be too late”. Quote from Henri Cartier-Bresson Good, again provide a
reference.
2. Henri Cartier-Bresson One of Henri’s photographs
Robert Capa:
Robert Capa was a Hungarian combat photographer and photojournalist who covered five
different wars: Spanish Civil War, second Sino-Japanese war, World War II across Europe
and others. He documented the course of World War II in London, North Africa, Italy the
Battle of Normandy on Omaha Beach and the liberation of Paris. His action photographs,
such as those taken in the Normandy invasion 1944, portray the violence of war with unique
impact. “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough” Quote from Robert
Capa.
Robert Capa One of Robert’s Photographs
Many people say the closer you get to the event the better your photographs will be but doing
this will give higher risks. Good There are many of risks doing photojournalism I think
the biggest risk is losing your life. For an example Robert Capa went on the front line
capturing the different emotions and experiences of the soldiers I think that he was a brave
man doing that because he was risking his life to show people around the world what effects
the war has on different people. I think that photojournalism is not a job for people who are
weak. Even if they are not on the front line they still put themselves in danger just to capture
that one photograph that will tell a story. Even just covering a simple crime scene you need to
get close enough to show the intensity of the scene. Good
3. This is a photograph of the headland memorial from many years ago and the other picture is a
recent photograph I have taken. I am going to reshoot this image because the positioning isn’t
the same as the older version and I want them looking the same. The memorial is a place
where people can pay their respects to men and women have fallen during the war. Once
every year people meet up for a ceremony to pay their respects which is remembrance
Sunday. I have been part of this tradition for five years because I parade with the Royal
Marine cadets. I think the only difference is the plants around the statue, I don’t know if the
houses were painted on the first image because it is in black and white.
More than a 100 people were killed during the bombardment of the headland and old town
areas of Hartlepool on December 16, 1914. Hartlepool became the first mainland Britain to
be bombed by the Germans in the First World War. In total, 118 people died and buildings as
more than 1,000 shells rained down on the town during the surprise 40-minute attack by three
heavy German cruisers. The gun battery, led by the quick-thinking Lieutenant Colonel
Lancelot Robson, defended the town during the bombardment. Good
Information about definition of photojournalism and Robert Capa from Wikipedia.org
Information about Henri Cartier-Bresson from
http://www.photo-seminars.com/Fame/bresson.htm
Hartlepool bombardment history
http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/
This is a vey good merit standard essay Claire. You have covered all
of the main points. You should add a section on ethics too for your
portfolio version of the essay. To take it into distinction level I
would like you to discuss the photos you have displayed and provide
a small commentary with your own opinion as the to effect of the
photo. This will display the level of independence needed to justify
the grade.