DEFINING PHOTOJOURNALISM

Photojournalism is the creative process of telling a story through a still photograph. It shows what was happening and how others/ the photographer was feeling in an exact moment in time.

Yes, I do believe there is still a profession in photojournalism even though newspapers have declined because so many people still receive their news from social media. And when compelling pictures are used as a header on new stories online, then more people are likely to click on the article. And I think people will always enjoy compelling pictures even if there isn’t an article or explanation along with it. Sometimes the picture is a story all on its own.

To make a living in photojournalism in today’s corporate industry I would hire an agent to boost my work to more/ “bigger” people and companies. I would also have a website that show cases my photographs as well as an option to order prints from my website. But I think mainly having an agent to put me out there would be my main way of making a living as a photojournalist.

Photojournalists from different decades:

a. 1930s-1950s:

• Esther Bubley
• Dorothea Lange
• Margaret Bourke
• Elliot Erwitt

b. 1960s-1980s:

• Daido Moriyama
• Author Pollock
• Steve McCurry
• Philippe Halsman

c. 1990s-NOW:

• Rena Effendi
• Collier Schorr
• Adrienne Salinger

Eliot Erwitt

https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/elliott-erwitt/

• This photo brings up so many emotions for me and most of them are heart-wrenchingly sad. Why would this little boy be happy holding a gun to his head? Has he seen so many members of his family and friends treated this way that he thinks it’s normal? It just makes me so utterly sad to see him do this with a look of joy.
  • The lighting is mostly coming in from the left side of the picture, but it is still lit very well.
  • The timing on this picture is perfect, I think the photographer got the “decisive moment”.
  • The focus of this picture is on the little boy and I would argue his experiences and perceptions of the world he lives in.
  • This photo is great because it instantly is able to capture the reader’s eye and make them sit and think about what this little boy is going through.
  • I’m not sure if I would have the guts to make a picture like this. Especially if I had to ask someone to pose and do the same thing.

Daido Moriyama

• I like this photo because it captures someone just existing and doing a little jig because that’s what they felt like doing in this moment. It’s almost like he hid in the ceiling of someone’s house and took a picture of them being silly but thinking they were alone.
  • The main source of the light is coming from behind the man and reflecting off of the floors.
  • I think the timing is perfect because it just feels like this dancer is frozen in time.
  • The focus of this picture is the man dancing and just doing whatever felt right to him in this moment.
  • It’s a great photo because it captures a person’s childlike qualities.
  • I think I could make a picture like this in one of my friends houses, while they’re messing around and being vulnerable in front of me.

https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/wp/portfolio_page/daido-moriyama

Rena Effendi

https://www.instituteartist.com/filter/rena-effendi/on-display-Istanbul-Modern-s-upcoming-exhibition-Neighbours-will-be

• I like this photo because of the sense of warmness I get from just looking at it. Their happiness and togetherness make me feel happy and appreciative for loved ones in my life.
  • It feels like the light source is over-head (from the sun) but the clouds are blocking it causing a slight shadow over them because the rolling hills in the background are lit as well.
  • I think the timing on this photograph is perfect because everyone’s smiling and showing genuine happiness with each other.
  • The focus I think is on the bonds we make with the people we hold closest to us and just how much happiness they can bring into our lives.
  • This photo is great of the color, the different patterns of their outfits. The fact that they’re lined up perfectly from shortest to tallest. And just the pure joy on their faces.
  • I think I could make a photo like this if I was walking through farming country in Juarez in the Spring/ Summer time.

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