What is Photojournalism?
Photojournalist Mary Ellen Mark captures stunning images that invoke emotions
What is Photojournalism?
1. Photojournalism, according to Wikipedia is “a particular form of journalism that creates images in order to tell a news story. More specifically The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines photojournalism as journalism in which written copy is subordinate to pictorial usually photographic presentation of news stories or in which a high proportion of pictorial presentation is used. In layman’s terms it is journalism that uses photographs to enhance and tell its story.
2. Photojournalism distinguish itself from other forms of reportage photography such as documentary photography, street photography, is that photojournalist will create their shot while the others are capturing them. In a great article from the Nieman Report Photojournalism and Documentary Photography the author describes the difference as “The journalist takes what the camera lens captures, while the documentary photographer makes the images as a form of storytelling.”
3. The Photojournalist I have always admired is Mary Ellen Mark. She has made a living by working as a photographer for hire, selling prints, her exhibits, and her books. Her vast client list includes Francis Ford Coppella, Vanity Fair, Life, The New York Times, Time Magazine, Rolling Stone, and many more.
4. A professional organization that represents photojournalist is The National Press Photographers Association. Why? Cause you asked. Just Kidding Bruce, The NPPA is dedicated to the advancement of visual journalism – its creation, practice, training, editing and distribution – in all news media and works to promote its role as a vital public service. I would definitely join such an organization. The cost for the Professional Membership is only $110 annually and other options are available to all budgets. The benefits of becoming a member of the NPPA is an important step in any visual journalist’s career. Founded in 1946, the NPPA continues to attract the best in news photography, video, and multimedia. It is our commitment to our members that sets us apart from other organizations. As a member, you are part of an organization renowned for its expertise, ethics, and ideals. You’ll have the opportunity to meet, network with, and learn from many of the top visual journalists in the field today. You’ll also gain access to exclusive, career-building benefits and publications shared only by NPPA members.
5. Kontinent, Redux Pictures, and Moment are three photo “Agencies” that represent photojournalists. The function of a Photo Agency is to get the photographer work.
6. The combination of photography and journalism, or photojournalism–a term coined by Frank Luther Mott, historian and dean of the University of Missouri School of Journalism–really became familiar after World War II (1939-1945). Germany’s photo magazines established the concept, but Hitler’s rise to power in 1933 led to suppression and persecution of most of the editors, who generally fled the country. Many came to the United States.
Life magazine.The time was ripe, of course, for the establishment of a similar style of photo reporting in the U.S. Henry Luce, already successful with Time and Fortune magazines, conceived of a new general-interest magazine relying on modern photojournalism. It was called Life, launched Nov. 23, 1936.
7. The “Golden Age of Photojournalism” is often considered to be roughly the 1930s through the 1950s. Three of the top photographers from this time were Henri Cartier-Bresson, Tony Vaccaro, and Romano Cagnoni.
8. A contemporary source of photojournalism is The Nieman Report
9. I still believe Mary Ellen Mark to be the premiere contemporary photojournalist. She is one that I admire and would like to emulate.
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