The Ethics of Photojournalism

Photo by: R. Umar Abbasi

Image Source: http://www.imediaethics.org/News/3640/Clues_that_abbasi_lied_about_new_york_post_subway_photo_.php

The ethical dilemma regarding photojournalism that I chose was the picture of the man in New York that was hit and killed by an oncoming train. The photographer of the image was R. Umar Abbasi. The image was taken on accident according to Abbasi because he was hoping that, “the flash would attract the attention of the train driver”. This incident has a lot to do with the ethics of photojournalism. In this situation, was there more that the photographer could've done to help the man? It might seem like the man could've helped in a different way, such as attempt to grab the man or get the attention of the train driver in a more effective way. It is impossible to understand what was going through the mind of the photographer at this moment in time. 

Another issue with this image is whether or not the New York Post should have published it. It was very bold to have this image on the front page. The text that is published along with the image is very disrespectful. This image was shown everywhere and I can image that the family of the man that died are not very happy about the image. I think that the image should not have been published on the front page of the New York Post. It is alarming and very personal. I think that the main reason that the New York Post did publish the image is because the image will shock people and the New York Post will sell more issues and become more popular simply because of the image. However, it is an image that the family of the man will have stuck in their heads for the rest of their lives. I do not think it was right to publish this photograph.

Photo by: R. Umar Abbasi

Image Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/12/04/new-york-posts-subway-death-photo-was-it-ethical/

The words expressed in my personal ethics map are humble, honesty, caring, loyalty, faith, trustworthy, and fair. If I was to compare my personal ethics map to this controversial photojournalism ethics situation, I would use the words honesty, caring, and fair. It seems like the photographer did what he could in the moment of time. It was a short amount of time to decide how to save someones life. I think that if I was in the same situation as the photographer, I would try to cause more of a scene to draw attention to the man. I would run over to the man and try to grab him if I could. The word honesty and fair seem to go hand in hand in this situation. If you are honestly trying your hardest to help the person in danger, then there should be no problem. By trying to attract the attention of the driver, you are honestly trying to help. I think that the most important word that relates to this situation is caring. A person must care more for the life of another individual rather than a famous photograph that they can take. A human life must outweigh fame. 

Photo By: Lyndsey Letourneau

I do not think that the photographer had much time to think about the situation. I don't think that he purposely took the photograph without regard for the man's life. However, there have been claims about the intentions of the photographer. Some people claim that he did not try to help the man and was trying to get a photograph of the event. One of the problems with this situation is that the photographer claims that he was running towards the man on the platform. However, according to an article posted on imediaethics.org, Abbasi remained in the same spot the entire time. A problem that I noticed with the photograph is the clarity of it. If a photographer was just firing his flash off at the train driver, the image might be blurry and maybe crooked. However, it is impossible to determine what the photographer was truly thinking during this time. It is possible that he just got extremely lucky with shooting without looking and captured the image. 

Women Photojournalists

Women have struggled to achieve equality with men in every profession, including photojournalism. Workplace discrimination is a common theme in many countries and often goes unrecognized because most women do not speak up. There has been a long history of workplace discrimination in photojournalism dating all the way back to the 1930’s. Marion Post Wolcott was a free lance photographer in New York City and also worked for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. As stated in Professor Nordell’s video, she was constantly pushed away by the male photographers and, “they urinated in her photography chemicals, threw spit balls at her, and extinguished their cigarettes in her developing trays”. Women photojournalists like Marion Post Wolcott tried their hardest to achieve equality, but it was a constant struggle. 

Women have become increasingly interested and involved in photojournalism as time has passed. Today, some of the greatest photojournalists are women. In an article on AJR, Sherry Ricchiardi explains that women photojournalists are shooting more than previous times and says that, "women are carrying cameras into locker rooms and war zones as well as on daily assignments, shooting everything from food and fashion to gang violence and prison riots in their communities". Previously, women photojournalists were allowed to photograph fashion and other things for women's articles and magazines. Today, there is no limit as to what a woman can photograph as a photojournalist. However, this can place women in dangerous situations. Lynsey Addario and three other male photojournalists were abducted in Libya. The men were beaten and Addario was subjected to sexual violence. Adder states in an article on CPJ that she was "punched in the face a few times and groped repeatedly". This trauma can carry with a person for the rest of his or her life.
                                       

Photo by: Unknown

Image Source: http://www.phaidon.com/agenda/photography/picture-galleries/2012/january/06/when-eve-arnold-met-marilyn-monroe/

Year Created: 1960

Principle 1: Subject's Expression

This photograph displays the relationship between Eve Arnold and Marilyn Monroe. Eve Arnold doesn't seem like she is directing Marilyn Monroe in this photograph. Arnold trusted Marilyn Monroe to act natural for the photographs. She did not need to order her around to get a quality picture. The expressions on their faces show a friendly relationship between the two, not a relationship built off of work. 

Principle 2: What Feelings Does The Image Create?
The image creates a feeling of friendship and gracefulness. The image is black and white and this adds to the beauty of the photograph. Eve Arnold and Marilyn Monroe might be talking about the session or about gossip. There was a special bond between the two that allowed Eve Arnold to capture beautiful photographs of Marilyn Monroe.

Principle 3: In or Out of Focus
The photograph is in focus. The lace features of Marilyn Monroe's dress are very obvious and easy to see. The left side of the photograph becomes a little blurry towards the bottom of the image. However, the majority of the photograph is in focus.

Why Did I Choose the Image:
I really like this image of Eve Arnold and Marilyn Monroe. It is candid and does not look staged at all. I think that most photographers have a strictly professional relationship with the person he or she is photographing. Arnold and Monroe had a friendship and this image displays this. Also, I like that the image was black and white. It adds a sense of simplicity to the photograph.

Eve Arnold was a photojournalist born in 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arnold shot many photographs of people including Malcolm X and Elizabeth Taylor, but was well known for her photographs of Marilyn Monroe. According to an article on the Los Angeles Times website, Eve Arnold was "one of the first woman photojournalists to join the prestigious Magnum Photography Agency in the 1950s". This was a very prestigious recognition for a woman during this time. It was rare for a woman during this time to leave such an enormous impact on the field of photojournalism. Not only did Arnold photograph celebrities, but she traveled the world to shoot photographs in China, Afghanistan, and South Africa. Eve Arnold strived to reach out to the world with his photographs. She wanted the citizens of the world to recognize the atrocities that were happening around the globe.



                                            

Photo by: Eve Arnold

Image Source: http://www.worldphoto.org/news-and-events/wpo-news/eve-arnold-presents-exhibition-of-marilyn-monroe-photographs/

Year Created: 1955

Principle 1: Is the image black & white or color?

The image is in color. I think that the color adds to the photograph. The body of Marilyn Monroe sticks out against the grass in the background. Marilyn Monroe's skin tone is a shell color. The green and brown grass blends in the background and the focus of the photograph remains on Marilyn Monroe. 

Principle 2: Obvious Main Subject 

Marilyn Monroe is the main subject of the image. The only other item in the frame of the photograph is the grass in the background. However, Marilyn Monroe sticks out and is the first thing that someone sees when he or she looks at the photograph. The body of Marilyn Monroe is defined against the background. 

Principle 3: Keep it Simple

There is not a lot of clutter in this image. The main focus of the image is the body of Marilyn Monroe. The grass is defined in the foreground of the image, but as the image progresses backwards, the grass becomes less defined. The only pattern in the image is the dress of Marilyn Monroe. The cheetah pattern of the dress adds a little more texture to the image, but does not clutter it. 

Why Did I Choose the Image: 

I have always loved the photographs that Eve Arnold took of Marilyn Monroe. All of them show natural beauty and are untouched unlike many photographs of today. The natural beauty of Marilyn       Monroe is breath taking. 

Today, workplace discrimination is still a common theme. Women can face discrimination in professions in the corporate world. A woman might be seen as not fit for sales because that involves talking to people that they do not know and some employers believe that men are better at those tasks. Also, there have been studies regarding the discrimination faced by women engineers. Some women that leave the engineering profession because of an "uncomfortable work environment", according to an article on AAUW. Although there have been many steps taken to promote equality, workplace discrimination still exists. Some employers still discriminate based on race, age, and gender. As society evolves and times change, new forms of workplace discrimination emerge. Today, some employers discriminate based on sexual preference, piercings, and tattoos. Although it is illegal for an employer to question a prospective employee regarding religion, sexual preference, age, and disability, some employers will cross the lines to get information that would be adverse in hiring that candidate. Women in today's society might face discrimination based on their future plans to start a family. An employer can refuse to hire a woman who is pregnant or planning on having children because the employers do not feel that the woman will be fully committed to the position and that family will come before the job. Workplace discrimination is still prevalent throughout organizations, however, more laws and protections evolve each day to eliminate the threat to employees and prospective employees. 

Photo by: Eve Arnold

Image Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/510032726523621254/

Year Created: 1967

Principle 1: Background compliments or detracts from composition

The background of the photograph compliments the composition. Although it might seem like the lines in the background cause the image to look hectic, I think that the lines draw the attention of the viewer to the nuns. The lines on the road give the viewer the idea that the nuns are walking to some destination. 

Principle 2: Rule of Thirds

The nuns are located in the bottom third of the photograph if you slice it horizontally. The main subjects were not located in the middle of the photograph. I think the lines draw attention to the main subjects. I think that because the nuns are in the bottom part of the picture, it makes the viewer wonder where the nuns are headed.

Principle 3: Use of Lines

The lines on the road are very obvious in this picture. The majority of the picture is filled with these lines. They lead up to the nuns and bring the viewers eye to the bottom half of the picture. Also, near the nuns, the lines fade out into the ground. It seems like the lines are more solid at the top of the picture and then as the viewers eyes move towards the nuns, the lines become less solid. 

Why Did I Choose the Image: 

I chose this image because it caught my eye as I searched the photographs that were taken by Eve Arnold. I found the use of lines very interesting in this photograph. Eve Arnold is best known for her photographs of Marilyn Monroe, so it was interesting to find a photograph that was no as well known, but of the same quality. 

Photography Timeline

Photographic technology timelines can be useful to visually see the changes that have occurred through time. To operate the timeline above, click the white arrow on the right side of the screen.

Wet Plate Collodion - 1851

Photo by Jody Ake

Image Source: http://iconolo.gy/archive/wet-collodion-process-jody-ake/1412

I begin my technology timeline with the wet collodion process. Wet plate collodion was one of the first photographical processes. It was invented in 1851 by Frederick Scott Archer. The process involves a lot of chemicals and takes a lot of time to complete. According to an article on fstoppers.com, the first step to the wet collodion process is that the person must clean the plate. After that, there is a silver nitrate bath that the plate goes into. After about three minutes, the plate is put into the camera and the image is taken. Then, the plate is covered in developer, washed off with water, and then put into the fixer to develop. As stated before, this process took a lot of time and included a lot of chemicals. It allowed photographers to make an unlimited amount of prints and it was a shorter exposure time than previous photographic technology. The wet plate collodion process gave families during the civil war an opportunity to have photographs of family members that were in the war. It also allowed the citizens to see what was happening during the war. Although the wet collodion process was a stepping stone for photographers, there were major drawbacks. The time and effort that it took to take a single picture was a disadvantage. To carry all of the supplies, a photographer needed a van. The plates were fragile and it was a complex process. However, it was a big accomplishment for photographers during this time.

Dry Plate Collodion - 1857

Photo by Jim Sincock

Image Source: http://jimsincockphotography.com/tag/dry-plate-photography/

Dry plate collodion became popularized in 1857 by Dr. Richard Hill Norris when he formed the Birmingham Dry Collodion Plate Company to sell dry plates. It is similar to the wet plate collodion process. According to an article on derivedlogic.com, the difference between wet plate collodion and dry plate collodion is that “The plate is washed in water to get rid of the excess silver nitrate and is placed in a bath of 3.3% preservative solution of Tannic Acid for a few minutes”. The plate fully dries after this step. The dry plate collodion process was an advanced form of the wet plate collodion process. It allowed photographers to prepare plate in advance. The main impact to photojournalism is that photographers did not need a portable darkroom anymore. Less equipment was needed, which was helpful to photojournalists. One of the major drawbacks of dry plate collodion was that the exposure time took a lot longer than wet plate collodion. 

Kodak Roll Film Camera - 1888

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://www.historiccamera.com/cgi-bin/librarium/pm.cgi?action=display&login=kodak_film

In 1888, George Eastman invented the Kodak roll film camera. The Kodak camera was a huge advancement in photography. The camera came loaded with a film with 100 exposures. Eastman developed the slogan “you press the button, we do the rest”. This slogan was fitting for this camera because after a photographer took the photographs, they would send the camera to Eastman Kodak. The film would be developed and the pictures and the camera were sent back to the photographer. During this time, photography became easier for the average person. If a person wanted to take a photograph, but did not know how to develop film using the chemicals used in wet and dry plate collodion, they could just send their film into the company and the company would do the work for them.

Speed Graphic Camera - 1912

Photo by Arthur Fellig

Image Source: http://www.worcesterart.org/exhibitions/Past/fellig.html

The speed graphic camera was invented in 1912 and produced by Graflex in Rochester, NY. Another name for this camera is the press camera. The speed graphic camera has two shutters, three viewfinders, and multiple lenses can be put on the camera. The camera was convenient for photographers because it folded into a box and the lenses can be changed easily. The cameras were able to capture fast motion because of the shutter speed. It was good for sports photography because of this. The camera was useful to photographers because of its lightweight body. According to an article on photo.net, the camera, "has a composite wood, steel and aluminum chassis which is both light and strong". The camera is durable and can easily be used if a photographer has to travel. This camera was an extremely important advancement in photographical technology and captured may important events in history including the Hindenburg Explosion of 1937.

Leica 35mm Camera - 1914

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://zonev.org/2010/08/leica-abandons-film-cameras/

The first prototypes of the Leica 35mm camera were built by Oskar Barnack. The first Leica 35mm camera was called the Ur-Leica and it, "had a full metal body, a collapsible lens and a focal plane shutter, which, at the time, had no overlapping curtains". This camera prevented double exposures. This camera was smaller than previous cameras, so it allowed the photographer to be more discreet and made travel easier. The smaller body made it possible for photographers to take photographs from many angles and from any place he or she wanted to. The ability to take a photograph discreetly was one of the biggest impacts that the Leica 35mm had on photojournalists. Photojournalists no longer had to carry around heavy equipment to take photographs. The camera "was the first practical 35 mm camera that used standard cinema 35 mm film."

Kodachrome - 1935

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachrome

Kodachrome was developed by Leopold Godowsky Jr. and Leopold Mannes. Kodachrome film initiated color photography. Previous to Kodachrome, it was difficult for photographers to develop photographs in color. It took a lot of time and equipment to develop the photographs. Even when photographers were able to develop photographs in color, the photographs were not actual representations of the color and they were dull. The main impacts on photojournalism that Kodachrome had on photojournalists are, "film's archival abilities, coupled with its comparative ease of use". Kodachrome was used in both still photography and cinematography. 

Point and Shoot Camera - 1978

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://somerandomdude.com/2012/03/06/the-dichotomy-of-simple/

The point and shoot camera was first developed by Konica. The first point and shoot auto focusing camera was called the Jasupin. The website ephotozine states that autofocus, "will adjust the lens of your camera to focus on the subject you're photographing to ensure it's sharp". A point and shoot camera allows a person see directly through the viewfinder in the body of the camera, so the person can see what they are capturing. Although it is not the actual image, a person gets an idea of what they are shooting. The point and shoot camera is small which allows a person to be discreet with taking a photograph. This camera is useful to those who want a simple way to photograph events. It is a cheap way for amateur photographers to take quality photographs. 

First Commercial DSLR - 1991

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-FX-Format-Digital-Camera-MODEL/dp/B0099XGZXA

The first commercial DSLR was created by Nikon. Digital single lens reflex cameras are very versatile and allow a person to photograph anything they want. The DSLR have interchangeable lenses, which permits a photographer to change lenses depending on the subject that is being photographed. Digital single lens reflex cameras allows a person to see exactly what they are taking a photograph of. This is extremely helpful for photojournalists because they don't have to guess what they are photographing. The very first DSLR cameras were very bulky and cost a lot of money. However, as the DSLR's are advancing technologically, "the price of digital SLRs keeps falling and many are competitive now with the high-end compact cameras". Now, any regular person can buy a digital single lens reflex camera and can take professional quality photographs. This is becoming an issue because a college eduction for photographers is losing its value. Any person is able to take a photograph without the education. 

Blogs - 1994

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://www.randgroup.com/insights/setting-up-your-new-company-blog-whats-better-for-seo-hosted-solution-new-domain-subdomain-or-subfolder/

The first blog was created in 1994 by Justin Hall. The blog was called links.net. A blog allows a person to post any information to one singular webpage. A person can post any type of media including videos, sound, or pictures. Blogs have a huge impact on photojournalism. A photojournalist can post all of their pictures on a single page. The photographs can reach a large audience and anyone in the world can look at that single blog, no matter their location. Also, the blogs can inform the public of news before it is shown on the television or in the newspapers. Blogs can be created by anyone and that makes it easy for people to share photographs and information that they have. This can be negative because anyone can share their photographs, not just photojournalists. 

Wifi Enabled DSLR - 2012

Photo by unknown

Image Source: http://petapixel.com/2013/04/09/how-to-have-your-dslr-shots-published-to-the-web-instantly-while-on-the-go/

The wifi enabled digital single lens reflex is very similar to the regular digital single lens reflex that was talked about earlier. According to an article published on pocket-lint.com “the Wi-Fi connectivity allows the 6D to transfer images wirelessly to a computer, the cloud, smartphone or tablet while on the move”. This can be convenient for photojournalists that are taking photographs over seas and in areas that are difficult to transfer photographs to editors. Also, it makes sharing photographs a lot easier. After taking the photograph, a person is able to instantly share the picture. This can allow a person to have multiple copies of the photographs in multiple areas, including a cloud. Also, there is more space available on the memory card if a person is able to upload the photographs to other places. If a photojournalist has to upload a photograph quickly, it is no problem. Previously, it would take some time to get the photograph to editors.