Funny thing is that at least the photographic community does know or at least expect this, before watching the video. Still, the first reaction for most – including myself – will be a feeling of disappointment towards photojournalism. Why are we disappointed? I think it is more complicated than the simple fact that such photos tell stories that did not happen. Yes, for a journalist that is not a morale thing to do, but thats not the point.
More important to me is the fact that such photographs are plain unambitious. The aesthetics, the compositions, it has all been there before. Use that other one, shot a year ago. They won´t even notice.
Even if you clearly intend to put a ›message‹ into your pictures – which journalists usually do – there are way more subtle, clever, innovative ways. Everybody, raise the standards for your pictures in terms of creativity, profile, cleverness and not in terms of usability. My 2ct. Thanks for sharing!
Well, I think we have romanticized this profession to a degree that goes far beyond what the reality is. It’s a tough game, and there are those that do it really well and with good intention. But, there are plenty doing it for unknown reasons or with intention that borders on misguided. It’s been this way for a long, long while.
I had always wondered if there was a certain element of “smoke & mirrors” to modern PJ. I’ll admit my head is now in a bit of a tizzy after watching this…
Well, just remember it’s one example, and there are many folks out there doing this work with good intention and good results. We have romanticized this field to a degree that probably isn’t healthy.
Well, I think it’s just making a suggestion that this type of work has a lot of different sub plots. It’s not a nice business, at least in some ways, and different people will have different reasons for doing what they do. I’ve certainly seen photographers do truly horrible things in the field, veiled under all kinds of righteous proclamations, but the vast majority of photographers I know are good peeps.
Agreed! Thanks for sharing it!
Johan,
No problem. Thanks for watching.
VERY interesting, thanks!
Thanks Ryan
The power of the image. Very interesting.
Thanks Maria!
Funny thing is that at least the photographic community does know or at least expect this, before watching the video. Still, the first reaction for most – including myself – will be a feeling of disappointment towards photojournalism. Why are we disappointed? I think it is more complicated than the simple fact that such photos tell stories that did not happen. Yes, for a journalist that is not a morale thing to do, but thats not the point.
More important to me is the fact that such photographs are plain unambitious. The aesthetics, the compositions, it has all been there before. Use that other one, shot a year ago. They won´t even notice.
Even if you clearly intend to put a ›message‹ into your pictures – which journalists usually do – there are way more subtle, clever, innovative ways. Everybody, raise the standards for your pictures in terms of creativity, profile, cleverness and not in terms of usability. My 2ct. Thanks for sharing!
Mathias
Mathias,
Well, I think we have romanticized this profession to a degree that goes far beyond what the reality is. It’s a tough game, and there are those that do it really well and with good intention. But, there are plenty doing it for unknown reasons or with intention that borders on misguided. It’s been this way for a long, long while.
Very interesting and ironic, thanks for sharing
Thanks Steve
interesting indeed.
Agreed
I had always wondered if there was a certain element of “smoke & mirrors” to modern PJ. I’ll admit my head is now in a bit of a tizzy after watching this…
Matt,
Well, just remember it’s one example, and there are many folks out there doing this work with good intention and good results. We have romanticized this field to a degree that probably isn’t healthy.
So the 1000 words is that conflict, and sometimes death, is a simple staged photo op for some photographers. Look at my great work. Great.
Hey Tim,
Well, I think it’s just making a suggestion that this type of work has a lot of different sub plots. It’s not a nice business, at least in some ways, and different people will have different reasons for doing what they do. I’ve certainly seen photographers do truly horrible things in the field, veiled under all kinds of righteous proclamations, but the vast majority of photographers I know are good peeps.
Indeed very interesting. Thank you
thanks Mark