Chapter 11: Conclusion

For the last week of this class my family and I went on vacation to Jamaica. Since we would be out of the country and in a tropical and scenic area of the world, I figured it was a great opportunity to do a little photojournalism myself. As my Creative Experiential Exercise I took as many pictures as I could that described the trip through as least amount of words as possible. The result was my family vacation to Jamaica through images.
I do not believe I have a revised definition of photojournalism, but I do believe I appreciate it completely differently than when the class first started. The history of photojournalism has always been crucial in understanding the field, in my opinion. What photojournalism was in the past shaped what photojournalism is today. There is no way to look around the fact that without the foundations and first technological advances of photography and the efficiency of taking a picture, photojournalism would not even be a thing.
My "Ah-ha!" moment was essentially when we first began blogging. I thought it was so cool, the fact that we could publicly publish out thoughts about this specific topic. It was an awesome class idea and made the course really become hands on. The blogging aspect is a good transition topic into: can photographs change the world? At first, my initial thoughts were no they cannot change the world. But after seeing what photographs and photojournalists can do to people as well as events, topics, and even inspire...I do believe they can change the world, one person at a time.
The connections I made between my own Creative Experiential Exercise and my self reflection is that something as simple as a blog or a family vacation in which you document your experience through pictures can be a photojournalistic experience.
Kayla pointed out through her profile of Giles Duley that anyone, disabled or not, can be active in photojournalism. Troy points out through his profile of Steve McCurry, with such a long career as his, that it is an industry that will never die. Finally, Kevin points out in his profile of Tim Hetherington that not only Tim, but every photojournalist is out on a mission to change the world through photography any way they can.


Here are some images from my Creative Experiential Exercise, my trip to Jamaica:

Images mentioned in my Section 3 Reflection: 

 I truly did not mention any images, except for the fact that the actual task of blogging was really my "Ah-ha!" moment.

Kayla's Profile:

 Troy's Profile:

   Kevin's Profile:

Chapter 10: Photojournalist Profile

Chapter 9: What Motivates Photojournalists

My Motivation Map:

• Family
• Education
• Soccer
• Music
• Confidence
• Ambition

Mike Dooley is an active Rhode Island photographer who focuses his time and skills on taking pictures of the earth and the environment. Dooley adds, "As I stand in the dark, all of my senses are in action as the day begins. There is no other time that I feel so alive!" His motivation for capturing images of the earth seems to really make him feel whole. 

Image By & Source: http://mikedooleyphotography.com/about-mike-dooley/ 

Image By: Mike Dooley 

Image Source: http://mikedooleyphotography.com/seascape-photography/what-motivates-this-photographer-you-ask/ 

Bruce Percy is a landscape and travel photographer. His motivation came from after he got burnt out as a musician in his late 20's. He describes traveling and photographer as "one in the same," and this motivates him to see as much of the world as he can while documenting it. 

Image By & Source: http://www.lightonscotland.co.uk/pages/tutor.html 

Image By: Bruce Percy 

Image Source: http://www.brucepercy.co.uk/blog/category/switzerland/ 

Paul Indigo is a professional photographer with more than 20 years of experience in the field. He describes himself as a "professional story-teller," though, rather than a photographer. He describes his motivation for photography by telling about the reactions he see's from his photographs. 

Image By & Source: http://www.quora.com/Paul-Indigo 

Image By: Paul Indigo

Image Source: http://www.indigo2photography.co.uk/images/Paul%20Indigo/People_portfolio/content/PI--10_large.html 

The motivation of professional photographers compared to mine is much different. For them, it is their life and the way they make a living. For me, photographs document my life and what I do and where I have been. My motivation is simply documenting what I have experienced, while they are motivated by a much greater power. 

 

Chapter 8: Photojournalism and Bias

Image By: Ed Clark
image Source: http://www.thegreatleapsideways.com/?p=209

This image captures so much emotion, just at the right time. Notice the tears coming down the cheek of the man in focus as he plays his instrument. The woman directly to his left, our right, is also effected by this. But also pay attention to the body language of the other women in the picture. They are all looking at him in disgust. It would be interesting to know exactly what they were thinking at that moment in time.

Principle #1: Subject's Expression- the expression on the face of the subject should say it all in this picture, but also those expressions around him as well. Something more than a death of a president happened here.
Principle #2: Background compliments from composition- the background helps this picture become what it is, as siting the emotion in the picture.
Principle #3: Was the image in black and white or color?- the image being in black and white sort of portrays a racial edge towards this picture.

Image By & Source: http://www.panamericanworld.com/en/article/unsuspected-star-steals-attention-david-luiz

Professor Nordell asked us to find a picture of what we find the truth. Here is an example of what I find to be the truth. Pictured is David Luiz, a professional soccer player for Paris Saint Germain (a french soccer club) and Brazilian international. In the past weeks Brazil have been preparing for their world cup campaign, and a disabled boy who's dream it was to meet David Luiz finally got the chance to do so. He hoped out of his wheelchair to juggle a ball for Luiz, as well as read a letter to the whole squad. It brought some players to tears. As a soccer player, this is the truth. This image isn't altered, or edited. It is showing someone with everything, giving back and making someone less fortunate happy. This picture warms my heart, as I deal with disabled children through the day camp I work for. Everyone deserves to obtain one goal they have in this. This is the truth, to me.

Principle #1: What feelings does the image create?- the image creates a feeling of hope, for me at least. The fact that this disabled child finally got his wish is so satisfying to me.
Principle #2 What in the image helped create that feeling?- the way Luiz is looking at the child, and how skinny and malnourished the child looks, and also the wheelchair behind him creates these feelings. But then also the ball popping out of his hand creates a feeling of happiness, like everything is solved through the ball.
Principle #3: Does the image remind you of any work you have seen?- No it does not, which makes it so unique to me.

Image By: Alex Garcia
Image Source: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/assignment-chicago/2013/09/6-ways-to-sunday-that-photos-can-lie.html

What do you see when you look at this picture? At first, it looks as if it is a mourning family member crying over the loss of a loved one in the military. But, after a quick read through, the picture at hand is actually actors from a street theater group called Students for Social Justice located in Chicago. This picture can lie, if not explained properly. No one would have ever guessed these were actors if it had not been explained. To me, this is falsehood and everything thats wrong with it. Especially in journalism.

Principle #1: In or out of focus- the subject of the image is in focus, but you can also see an out of focus group of policemen in the background thus furthering the falsehood of this image.
Principle #2: Abstraction- this picture can mean so much if not properly explained. If you do not know the whole story, an abstract idea could come of this.
Principle #3: Use of shadows- no real shadows are used here, but I kind of like the shadow/silhouette of the woman's hair and face under her red bail.

Chapter 7- The Ethics of Photojournalism

My ethics map summed up in one picture:

The controversy I am describing here is an ongoing one for photojournalism. When exactly to take a photograph? The ethics and privacy of taking a photograph of a person in grief or tragedy, and when to step in to help or to comfort a person. Al Diaz is a 30 year veteran of the Miami Herald, and he discusses in an "Issues & Ideas" column the ethics of what happened to him one afternoon while driving.
Diaz witnessed a woman step out of her SUV on a busy Miami highway, screaming and holding her 5-month-old nephew who was not breathing and turning blue. Diaz got out of his car to help, but once four police officers were on the scene to help, he stepped back and started taking pictures. "I did not want her seeing me taking pictures, but I know that history demonstrates that compelling images can produce unforeseen and often beneficial results," added Diaz.
Diaz argues, though, that a picture can change history, affect policy, raise awareness and cause leaders to act. In this case, inspiring people to go out and get CPR certified. Diaz captured the "Breath of Life," after the five-month-old baby failed the breath for a second time. His photograph raised awareness. In the words of Al Diaz: "Respond as a human being first, a photojournalist second."
Personally, I believe what Al Diaz did was the right thing. How could you argue that helping a woman in need, and then documenting the experience, with the effect that it had is unethical?  

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/02/3968980/photojournalist-confronts-ethical.html

Image Sources: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/03/02/3968980/photojournalist-confronts-ethical.html 

Chapter 6: Women Photojournalists

Image By & Source: Library of Congress- http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/jan10/images/Brooks_A.jpg

Principal #1: Black/White or color- the photo is appropriately in black and white because a majority of Brooks' work was done this way.
Principal #2: Texture- the texture of the photo shows that she is outside somewhere, creating an environment.
Principal #3: Subject's Expression- Brooks' expression is happy, she is being captured in her element.

Charlotte Brooks was a photojournalist who worked for “Look” magazine from 1951-1971, but she was originally a sociologist. Brooks enjoyed documenting changes in American life, for example: politics, racial conflicts, urban/suburban issues, education, and families. But what makes her special is how she defied the odds as a female photojournalist because of her gender, religious background, and sexual preference. Brooks’ talent took her to where no other female photojournalist within “Look” magazine was even assigned to. Eventually becoming “one of the guys,” and not just assigned to softer news topics like the other women.
 In my personal experiences, I have seen women discriminated against in the workplace. I work at a day camp over the summer and really take pride in what I do. So do my other staff members, but I have seen throughout my summers at the camp that certain women who work there will be thought of a less important. I work with the slightly older group of kids at work, and it is a stereotype throughout camp that the girls in the staff could not handle the older kids as well as they can handle the younger kids. Personally, I have seen a few girls attempt and exceed expectations to say the least. So I encourage women who I work with to come and try being a counselor with the older kids. It can be a very rewarding experience.
 Women offer a different, yet equally as valuable angle to photojournalism as men do. I feel as if women can connect to an audience just as well, if not better than any one else in the field. Not giving someone a job, or respecting them as much solely because of their gender is just immature and society should, at this point, frown upon this behavior. Every piece of work presented in Module 9 has gone on to show that no matter who you are, you can present photojournalism in a way that can connect to an audience if you are passionate about what you do.

Image By & Source: Forbes- http://blogs-images.forbes.com/glennllopis/files/2011/08/menversuswomen.jpg

Principal #1: In or Out of focus- Both subjects are in focus in the picture because it should be known that this picture is about equality between genders.
Principal #2: Abstraction- The object of the photo isn't actually abstract but you need to think abstractly to know the background meaning of this photo.
Principal #3: Keep it simple- The photo is very simple, as it is supposed to show a man and a woman essentially battling it out in the work place.

Image By & Source: The Guardian- http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/artanddesign/gallery/2008/nov/17/photography-women-war/GD9492089@Jenny-Matthews,-for-s-1832.jpg

Principal #1: What Feelings does the image create?- the image creates a feeling of curiosity. What are they looking at? What will they take a picture of next?
Principal #2: What in the image helped to create that feeling?- Definitely the massive gun in front of the two women caught my curiosity, but also what exactly the woman in front is looking at through her binoculars.
Principal #3: Quality of light- the open sky and sun creates a light that makes it seem like they are in a tropical place.


I chose the image of Brooks because she seems in her element and happy to be there. The photo really catches this moment. I chose the image of the man and woman arm wrestling because in the article by Forbes, it gives great points as to why women can actually be more successful in the workplace. Every one is equal in the workplace, with all one goal to accomplish. Finally, I chose the image of the women photojournalists looking out to see because it made my imagination run wild. It made me think of what exactly was going on, and if they would document it through photographs.

Technology Timeline

Photojournalism mid term from gregsmedberg