What is Photojournalism?

Photojournalism is different from other forms of photography because the images must tell a story. Photojournalists typically shoot with a purpose of conveying a story through one or multiple photos. Documentary photographers are similar, but have a longer time-span in which they can shoot and compile images. Street photography is more of an art form andisn’t known for having strict deadlines. Photojournalism can be the combination of street and documentary photography.

Lynsey Addario is a street photographer and photojournalist. She has written a book about her photography called “It’s What I Do-A Photographer’s Life of Love and War.” She has been in the New York Times, TIME Magazine, National Geographic, LA Times and more. She makes money by selling her images and being features in these. She is a very relevant photographer because she shoots a lot of war photography, especially in Afghanistan. She is very creative with how she takes photographs and captures her subjects in a very interesting way to tell a story. Her bodies of work are outstanding in a way that each image can stand alone, but together compliment each other. Addario’s work “Women of War” is my favorite because it follows formalistic rules, but applies it to photojournalism.

NPPA (National Press Photographers Association) is an organization that advocates for photojournalists. They have their own “code of ethics” to follow and make sure photojournalists’ rights are protected and that they are able to earn a living. NPPA is a great resource for photojournalists to be a part of because they have national and international support. They also help photographers with advice and connect them with work and connections in the field. There are different types of memberships. Membership fees vary from $60-110 and have different types of membership like professional, student, retired, and family. A photo agency helps keep photographer’s rights protected and connect them with jobs and other professionals.

The “Golden Age” of photojournalism started during and after WWII and ended around the 1950’s, but is also considered to end in the 1970’s. Some famous photographers include Dorthea Lange, Walker Evans, and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Kitra Cahana is one of my favorite modern photojournalists because she does more creative bodies of work like “Teens” that isn’t necessarily newsworthy, but has a lot of domestic and social issues that she conveys. Her photos all have a natural “fly-on-the-wall” look to them.