Webster’s online dictionary defines photojournalism as: “the art or practice of communicating news by photographs.”
Photojournalism follows a strict foundation, based on truth and an unbiased opinion, behind the story being told from a journalistic view. Other types of photography reportage often shoots nouns (people, places, and things), while photojournalists shoot action verbs (climbing, kicking, screaming) and nouns that tell a specific story.
Freelance work and those with contracted assignments both make a living by selling stories and photographs to media outlets. New publications like newspapers, websites, magazines etc are usually the clientele.
The National Press Photographers Association is very well-known for representing photojournalists. They are devoted to help create and edit photos, as well as, distribution through all types of media. Professional membership is $110 annually and is extremely beneficial. This membership supports enhancing resumes and most importantly protects the rights of your work.
Agencies distribute work that covers news and documentary reportage to publications worldwide. Three agencies include The Associated Press, Reuters Pictures, and Corbis.
Modern photojournalism began in the mid-1920s. Developments of the first 35mm camera, the Leica, and the first photojournalism magazine set the stage for modern photojournalism.
The “golden age of photojournalism” is generally considered to be between 1930 and 1950. Famous photographers during this time included Margaret Bourke-White, W. Eugene Smith and Robert Capa.
A contemporary source is Artspan, an online publication for photojournalism and other forms of art.
The photographer I chose is Corey Arnold. He is a photographer and a commercial fisherman. Since childhood, he has captured the relationship between humans and animals. His unique style captured my eye, but his archives grabbed my full attention. National Geographic, Rolling Stone, and American Photo are few among the many that have published him.
