Photojournalism in the Digital Age

Although it seems like almost all newspapers are partially online today, the first newspaper to go online wasn't until 1980 when “The Columbia Dispatch did so. Starting off as a hope to save the newspaper industry and compete with the broadcasting industry, this online newspaper set a trend. Today, Professor Nordell even stated that “Newsweek” is completely online now. The online component allows for wider forms of content. For example, there are more topics to choose from online that don’t fit into the top stories in the paper. Also, online papers can go more into depth with text details but also with accompanying photos that did not fit in the print layout. A huge aspect of online newspapers is the interactivity of the viewers. Since technology allowed for this, viewers can now comment and share their opinions. Newspapers went from a linear form of information to an interactive sharing of information.

Online newspapers first affected photojournalism due to its timing feature. Photojournalists can take a photo at a scene, and with the wire transmission, have the photo immediately online. For those who were viewing the website, they would often know the story or the news before the morning or nightly broadcast aired. Today, online newspapers are having a less beneficial effect on photojournalism. Many photojournalists are getting laid off because others are able to do their jobs. Pew Research Center explains, “Shrinking newsroom budgets play a significant part, but so does the explosion of mobile technology and social media, making it easier for citizens and non-professionals to capture and share images.” Although online newspapers are an example of technological advances within themselves, the technology has essentially destroyed a valuable field of work.

Kira Pollack, the director of photographer at Times Magazine scrambled to keep her photographers busy throughout these struggles. By allowing them to use Instagram to photograph Hurricane Sandy, she incorporated traditional photojournalism with today’s technology. Similar to online newspapers is the idea of Demotix. This is a “new marketplace” that allows free lancers to post photos in one place and gain global attention. Its critics claimed it devalued photojournalists but the company only takes images from photographers whose work compares to the professionals. By incorporating photojournalistic work with online venues, photojournalism is not dying, but rather transforming.

Earlier I researched the process of photogravure. Through photogravure, photography became an art and photojournalists were respected for the many precise steps they had to complete in printing an image. Today, photojournalists are not so respected because of “citizen journalists.” These are amateur street photographers who wind up taking many of the famous photographs we see. Another piece of photojournalism history was the dry plate collodion. This was a process that only allowed portraits to be taken. That is a vast difference from today’s photojournalism because, yes photojournalism is of people, but it is of people doing actions, not sitting still. Photography a hundred years ago was not able to reach mass populations initially because the process took so long. However, Tim Hetherington explains that today, mass communication is all about presenting ideas to wide audiences. These ideas are presented through photos and those photos are presented through online media such as online newspapers.

Although online newspapers and the earlier processes of photography do differ, there are also many similarities. Photography is an art which means it includes creativity. Earlier photographers had to set up the scene, decide what the subject would be, and make small decisions. Today, the basics are no longer creative but there is still room for other forms of creativity. The Getty VP of sports imagery, Ken Mainardis, explains, “I’m pushing my photographers to innovate.” Even though innovation is needed, that just means even more creativity accompanies the process. Another similarity between the old processes of photography and today’s process through online newspapers is the impact on the people. During the times of the Civil War, photos “had a wide-reaching impact on the public’s perception on everything from their leaders to the nature of warfare.” Similarly, photos on online newspapers are updated so quickly that they cover breaking news via pictures. These breaking news stories still include details of the nation’s leaders and warfare effects.

Citizen journalists replacing professional photojournalists

Image By: Kennedy Blue Communications

Image Source: http://smcmatrix.com/2013/12/10/how-social-media-affects-international-citizen-journalism/

Photojournalists have to get creative which means traveling to different places

Image By: Peter DaSilva
Image Source: http://dsmithgalleries.com/oakland-photojournalist-robbery/

The Art of Photojournalism

Photo By: Jacob Riis
Image Source: http://poulwebb.blogspot.com/2013/07/jacob-riis-part-1.html
Year Created: 1890

Principle 1: The use of lines from the desks converges onto the students and brings the eye directly into the classroom. It also forms a barrier to distinguish the students from the teacher. Even the lines written on the chalkboard express the same welcoming concept. It essentially draws the eye into a tunnel, with lines on both sides, and right out the window.

Principle 2: The texture on the walls elicits a gritty feeling. This conveys meaning. For example, schoolhouses from the 1800's were indeed old and rather gross. Also, the dust on the desks forms a texture as well. This specific use of texture makes the situation and photograph feel very realistic.

Principle 3: The depth of field is tricky in this image. It is definitely a deep depth of field, both the desk in the forefront and the children's heads in the background are all in focus. However, I think the teacher and the children's faces could have been more in the forefront to make this image more powerful. Yet at the same time, it would be impossible to fit all the elements in the photo if the photographer got closer.

I chose this image because the mere history interested me. I wanted to see the culture of the time and how our schooling today is vastly different. Also, all the people in the picture left me questioning what the exact subject was until I studied it a little more. The black and white definitely made this photo of great quality. 

Photo By: Dorothea Lang
Image Source: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/fsa1998021556/PP/
Year Created: 1936

Principle 1: The feelings this image created are intense. It was during the Great Depression when most families were terribly poor. Due to the lack of money, the only option was to breast feed children. Also, the setting the mother is in is not ideal but the shows the struggle of the time.

Principle 2: The subject being the mother, has a pained and tired expression on her face. It looks like she is stressed and just trying to take each day as it comes. The wrinkles captured in her forehead really signify this. Also, her pose is effective enough for breast feeding but still slouched and tired. It looks like she has a lot of weight on her shoulders even though nothing is on them.

Principle 3: The exposure time of this image is somewhat slower in order to create a shallow depth of field. For example, the subject and objects in the forefront are very clear while the setting outside the tent is extremely blurred. The bruises on the tree are extremely clear while the background can only be made out to be a tree or bush in the far distance.

I chose this image because it emotionally struck me. The filth in the picture had me questioning why? Then when I found out it was from the Great Depression, I figured this image accurately represented the struggling time period. The mere detail in this picture had me examining every single aspect of it, leaving a sense of curiosity.

Photo By: Carolyn Cole
Image Source: http://www.emmitsburg.net/archive_list/articles/ce/misc/2008/pulitzer.htm
Year Created: 2005

Principle 1: The photographer clearly had a choice to use color here. The use of color was smart because the background would have blended together if it was black and white. Also, the color of the boy's shorts attract the viewer directly to the subject. However, other than the shorts, all the color is about the same, making it kind of dull.

Principle 2: The background is definitely cluttered, opposed to keeping it simple. However, the purpose of this photograph is to show the cluttered wreckage Hurricane Katrina caused. If the background was plain with only the boy, the complete story would not be told. Even though the background is so cluttered, it is all cluttered with the same material so the subject does indeed standout.

Principle 3: The rule of thirds has the boy placed in the left third. The next third that my eye is attracted to is the right one, with the stuffed animal. Because this third is much more empty compared to the other, the stuffed animal really stands out. As for the vertical rule of thirds, the top third is massive clutter and destruction while the middle third is still cluttered but now identifiable. The closest third is rather plain with one piece of simple wood. If the first third was as cluttered as the back, the subject would not even appear identifiable.

I chose this image because it shows that even the children affected by Hurricane Katrina were destroyed, not just homeowners. I liked that there is such a contrast between the subject and the objects. It initially struck me because the little boy is facing such adult troubles while his expression and posture makes him look like a man of the house.  

Photogravure vs. iPhone

Photogravure first began in 1814 when Joseph-Nicephore Niepce was experimenting with light sensitivities. At this time, people were motivated to solve the technical problems early “cameras” brought about. According to the Art of Photogravure, Niepce was able to print a portrait on a lithographic plate which was coated in light sensitive gelatin to expose positive film. Then, William Henry Fox Talbot used a resin powder which gave the plate an even tint to prevent fading over time. Eventually, the Pictorialism Movement came from photogravure which involved heavily manipulating the printing process. By the end of World War II photogravure was retired and made way for the less expensive rotogravure.

Photogravure affected photojournalism through the process. Each and every improvement and motivation was done for creating the best looking image, with the best performing camera. Today, photojournalists use some of the best cameras invented. Because of photogravure, photography became recognized as a fine art. Thus, photojournalists today are respected, important, and can make a living out of their work. Without the process that led to this conclusion, photojournalism would not be raising such issues like it does. Also, photographers strived for quicker developing of images. The photogravure was a whole process of many different, precise steps. Today, photojournalists click their button and have the image immediately on the memory card. There is no longer the need for a caravan of equipment other than for enjoyment like Quinn Jacobson. Without struggle, there is no triumph.

The difference between photogravure and my iPhone picture taking process leaves me speechless. I have always taken my iPhone for granted. But after just studying photogravure, the process seemed daunting. Not only was precision significant, the pure time it took was tiresome. First of all, I just got up and took two steps outside to take my photo. This was impossible with all the heavy equipment and rooms needed with photogravure. Also, I pressed one button on my camera which did all the autofocusing and lighting change on its own. Now I am able to do whatever I want with this picture, even print out a physical copy. With photogravure, the pictures would be grainy and fade. It is also interesting that I do not have to change the lens on my iPhone. Instead it adjusts naturally, unlike the single lens reflex cameras that Professor Nordell mentioned.

I am currently having an epiphany about how incredible and easy camera technology has become. There is such a contrast between the handheld device I use to take pictures and George Eastman’s equipment. According to Professor Nordell, Eastman wanted to take photos of his vacation in Santo Domingo but there was no way to get his equipment there. I am thankful for the early inventors and photojournalists. The Civil War introduced depicting everyday life through photography and today it seems like everyday life is the majority of what is being photographed on iPhones and what I am able to do.


Image By: Bruce Kapson
Image Source: http://brucekapson.com/site/category/copper?detail=true


Image By: Jennifer Page
Image Source: http://www.capefearpress.com/photointagliodef.html


iPhone photo