Book Introduction
What is Photojournalism?
Defining photojournalism: It's story telling, it's sending a message with visual representation along with it. Professor Nordell defines it, photojournalism is "combining two aspects of being an excellent and artistic photographer along with journalistic skills and journalistic know-how of being at the right place at the right time." Beginning with the first part of the word "photo" as in photographer, this skill must be built up well enough to capture the good bad and ugly of events. The "journalism" part is just that, and requires the skill of writing well and efficiently to get the story across. In the case of environment and small market versus large market, we see the differences between the experiences of Jason Henske in Brattleboro, VT versus Zoriah and Alissa. Zoriah and Alissa photograph war time in Israel and Palestine.
For Jason Henske, his small market his photojournalism means more stories are closer to his heart. There's a point of view he has that invites him to watch the most intimate moments of the residents' lives. From kids in the town to graduation a soldier's body being returned to their hometown, Henske has a more personal purpose. Photojournalism in Zoriah and Alissa's case has a more political meaning. It serves the more common purpose of documenting and journaling the events that will shape the outcome of the history of that territory and those countries.
Photo by Timothy H. O'Sullivan
Photo by John Reekie
Image source: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/the-civil-war-the-birth-of-photojournalism/
The importance of knowing the history of photojournalism: Knowing history in general is important. The events of the past have created the world we live in today and the stories we tell have the greatest effect on the future. When it comes to photojournalism, we've been able to document groundbreaking events in our history. In American history, our first real taste was John Reekie who photographed African Americans cleaning up skeletons in battle-field months after the civil war.
With such technology being so early in invention, these early images of a war-torn country were the first moments of the American public understanding the true weight of war. Another photojournalist during this time was Timothy H. O'Sullivan who really captured the true loss of war with his image "Field Where General Reynolds Fell, Gettysburg". The images of these union soldiers' bodies left in the field, looted for any valuable belongings is enough to make anyone think of the true impact of war. The use of photojournalism really changed the game when it came to the relay of information in war time.
References:
History is . . . (video):
Why Study History? (video):
In Harms Way- War Photographers Zoriah and Alissa – Part 1:
Jason Henske – Photojournalist (video):
Professor Nordell's "What is Photojournalism?" video:
CBS The Civil War: Birth of Photojournalism gallery:
Comments
Post a Comment