Sunday, May 3, 2015

Concluding Chapter

The first part of this blog post assignment was to complete a creative experiential exercise. I enjoyed this part of the assignment because I was unaware of the possibilities for uploading photographs that you take to different websites and apps. I chose to upload pictures onto the app called Clashot. I decided to take photographs of a softball team that I was previously a part of. I enjoy sports photography because there is a definitive moment that the photographer must capture. Softball can be a difficult sport to photograph because you are unaware of where the ball will be hit to so you have to be ready to take the photograph at all times. Also, as an athlete it is interesting to see photographs of you playing the sport you love. In regards to my self reflection in section 3, my creative experiential exercise relates to it because it reminded me how easy it is to take photographs and publish them for the world to see. I think that people often take this for granted and don't truly realize how easy we have it when it comes to taking photographs and sharing them with the world. When I published my images on the Clashot app, I instantly had 2 people from random parts of the world liking my pictures.

     

      

Photos by Lyndsey Letourneau

After completing all of the blog posts this semester, I have a revised definition of photojournalism. In the beginning of the semester, I only considered photojournalism to be a photograph of a particular moment. However, there is much more to it. The photograph is a moment in history that tells a story. Whether it is war photography, sports photography, or photographs of a political event, each photograph tells a story. The photographer is expected to be both a photographer and a journalist. There is more to photojournalism than just taking a photograph. Before my research, I assumed that photojournalists were just in the right place at the right time. However, I learned that a lot of photojournalists take their photographs with certainty and do it purposefully. In Jenna Costa's photojournalist profile, she spoke about Robert Capa and stated, "He always kept his photos real and made sure to take them for the right reasons. He took photos of war for the public, not to just take famous photos." Most photojournalists aim to bring awareness to the public. They do not want to edit or stage photographs because they want people to see the truth. There is also an emotional impact that photojournalism has. A photojournalist attempts to have some type of emotional response from his or her viewers. In Yezenia's photojournalist profile, she stated that Ron Haviv, "was all about emotional connections in his work, making it so that viewers made emotional connections with his images." Photojournalists seek to give a visual representation to their viewers. A person can be told that something is happening, but when they actually get to see a photograph of the situation, it adds more truth to the situation. In Devonte Dillion's photojournalist profile, he commented on Dith Pran's motivation and said, "he wanted people to be able to have a visual to go along with what was being told. 
 
Photo by Ron Haviv

Photo by Dith Pran

The history of photojournalism is important to understand. It gives insight into how technology has evolved throughout time and gives people an appreciation for how far photography has come. It was a struggle to take a photograph in the earlier times. Some people do not understand how easy it is to take a photograph today compared to when people used the wet collodion process. It amazing to see the processes that needed to be completed in order to take one photograph. Also, the chemicals and other equipment that was needed. It is so easy to take a photograph and share it with people over the world today. Our technology timeline made me realize that we have come a long way in regards to photographic technology. The wet collodion process was one of the first photographic processes and it was extremely time consuming and difficult. In order to get the perfect picture you had to be precise. The image below by Jody Ake displays a photograph taken using the wet collodion process.

Photo by Jody Ake


An "Ah-ha" moment was when I completed the research on what motivates photojournalists. It was interesting to develop my own motivations and compare them to those of photojournalists. I figured out that a lot of photojournalists share the same motivations as me. A lot of photojournalists do not take photographs just for the money or fame. They often take the photographs to raise awareness and bring about social change. They give voices to those who are voiceless. My motivations included leaving an impact, passion, and helping others. I think that each one of my motivations would be the same for photojournalists. Most of them want to help others and have a passion for what they are doing. Passion is important because if a person does not truly love what they are doing, the quality of their work will not be great. 

 I think that another ah-ha moment occurred during the blog post research on "Can Photographs Change the World?". It really made me think about the impact that images have on the world. My opinion regarding this subject was that photographs do not bring about immediate change, but do raise awareness. At first, I thought that photographs could change the world, but after I thought about the topic more, I decided that it depends if the person wants to act on the feelings that are created by the image. Social change cannot occur just because a person sees a picture. Action is developed from the feelings created and if the image leaves a big enough impact on the person. For example, the photograph taken by Kevin Carter of the vulture stalking the child. The image did not spark changes, but it did raise awareness for the famine. 

Photo by Kevin Carter




Sunday, April 26, 2015

Dorothea Lange Profile


Photo by unknown
Dorothea Lange was a well-known documentary photojournalist. Lange was born on May 26, 1895 in Hoboken, New Jersey. According to Biography.com, Lange contracted polio as a child, which left her weakened. As her life progressed, she faced more challenges. Her parents divorced when Lange was a teen. Despite the struggles that Lange had to overcome, she continued her education at Columbia University. Lange's photography career started in 1919 when she opened her own portrait studio. 

Dorothea Lange's most popular photographs were taken while working for the California and Federal Resettlement Administration, which is also known today as the Farm Security Administration. She worked as a documentary photographer. According to an article on Americanswhotellthetruth.com, Lange was hired to, "record the Dust Bowl exodus when drought and hard times forced thousands of farm families to move west in search of work". Lange's work under the California and Federal Resettlement Administration was extremely important and informative. One of the most popular photographs from Lange during this time is "Migrant Mother". When Lange photographed the family, the mother explained that the only food that the family was getting was frozen vegetables and birds that the children killed. This image shows the true struggles that families were going through during these times. One can infer that the family is going through a struggle just by examining the photograph. Dorothea Lange went a step further and aimed to discover the full story from the person being photographed.


Photo by Dorothea Lange

The obvious main subject of the photograph is the mother. Although there are two small children surrounding her, the viewers eye is directed towards the mother. The mother takes up about half of the photograph. Without the obvious main subject, the photograph would not have the same impact. There is a feeling of desperation and hopelessness that is given off by the expression of the mother. She does not look overly posed. Her expression is fitting for the situation that the families were facing during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl exodus. Also, the fact that the children are leaning on the mother suggests that the children are truly depending upon the mother for survival. The image is in black and white. I think that this adds to the drama of the photograph. Color would take away from the image rather than add to it. 

After working for the Farm Security Administration, Lange worked for the Office of War Administration and the War Relocation Authority according to an article on spatacus-educational.com. In 1942, Lange photographed the internment of Japanese Americans. Lange did not agree with the displacement of the Japanese Americans, which made it difficult for her to photograph her subjects. This is where her ethics came into place. Although she did not agree with the governments decisions, she photographed the internment of the Japanese Americans. This gave Lange the opportunity to share the stories of the people. The government censored many of Lange's photographs. 


Photo by Dorothea Lange

The above photograph was taken during the internment of Japanese Americans by Dorothea Lange. The use of lines is very noticeable in this image. The people are in two straight lines, which draws the eye down the line. Also, the buildings in the background create a line and add symmetry to the photograph. Also, the lines seem to split the image into three sections. The light of the photograph is not bold or dramatic. It is very flat. The left side of the photograph is lighter than the right side of the image. The left side is washed out compared to the right. I think that the composition of the photograph is fairly simple. The people for the most part are in two lines. There isn't much going on in the background of the photograph besides the buildings. The buildings are very similar to each other, which makes the photograph simple. 

Dorothea Lange also worked for magazines such as Fortune & Life. According to an article onAmericanswhotellthetruth.com, Lange, "visited Vietnam, Ireland, Pakistan and India, making photographic essays for Life magazine." One of the most popular assignments that Lange had was when she was sent to Ireland. She photographed the people who were, "working people of modest means who, unlike the tenant farmers and displaced migrants of the Great Depression, farmed and worked their family-owned land." It was a change of pace for Lange at this point in her career. 


Photo by Dorothea Lange

The rule of thirds is very evident in this photograph. The man is the main subject of the photograph and he is placed in the last third of the photograph if you split the photograph vertically. The horse is placed in the middle of the photograph, but it is not meant to be the main subject of the photograph. You can infer that a faster shutter speed was used for the photograph because the image is not blurry. The horse was probably moving around and if a slower shutter speed was used, the horse would come out blurry. The image is in focus. The mountains in the background are a little out of focus, but that is expected because they are not the main subject. The main subject of the photograph is definitely in focus. 

Dorothea Lange worked in the 1920's and 1930's to photograph the Great Depression. Also, she worked as a photojournalist during the 1940's to photograph the Japanese American internment camps. At this time, it was difficult for a female photojournalist to get the same credit as a male photojournalist. Females had to work harder to get noticed during this time. Photojournalism was a male dominated career. 

Lange's motivation for photojournalism was started in the early years of her life. When she was younger, she contracted polio and when she was a teen, her father left her family. Dorothea Lange went through struggles early in her life that motivated her later on in life. As a child, she understood what suffering was. She felt like it was her duty to show the struggles and suffering of those who are unable to show it to the world. According to dorothea-lange.org, "she believed passionately that those who were pushed to the margins, whose existence had no color, needed to be heard, as well as seen." It was a passion of this photojournalist to raise awareness for those who are unable to have a voice. 

The type of photographic equipment that Dorothea Lange used was a Graflex camera with a film size of 4x5. She photographed the Dust Bowl and Great Depression with this camera as well as the Japanese American internment camps. This camera was a popular press and sports camera. It allowed the photographer to take photographs without the subject being blurry if it was in motion. 

As with any photographer, Dorothea Lange faced ethical dilemmas. Lange photographed sensitive events in history. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl were very emotional times for the United States. It was a low point in our history. It would be difficult for any photographer to photograph people who are going through a hard time. Most of the people that she photographed had a hard time finding food to eat for the night. I can imagine that it would be hard to go up to someone and ask to take a picture of them at a very difficult point in their life. Another ethical dilemma involves the photographs taken in the Japanese American internment camps. Lange did not agree with what the government was doing to the Japanese Americans. This could cause some bias with the photographer and its subject. She did not agree with the situation and therefore she might take photographs to make the situation look a lot worse than it was. However, the government censored a lot of the images, which could mean that the photographs were so real that the government did not want the citizens to know what was actually happening at the internment camps. 

Photo by Dorothea Lange

The contrast of the above photograph is high. There are a lot of very dark and very light aspects. The sky appears to be very white. The clothing of the people is very dark against the white sky. This adds to the emotion of the image. It was taken during the Great Depression and the light and dark aspects add drama to the photograph. The background of the image compliments the photograph. It is very plain. If there was a lot going on in the background, it would be impossible to focus on the faces of the people. The background is out of focus. The right amount of area is in focus for this image. The focus is on the people in the wagon. There is more focus on the people in the front of the wagon rather than the front, but you can still see every person. The background of the image is blurry, which directs your attention to the people. 

Dorothea Lange had a large impact on photojournalism and society as a whole. She brought awareness to the struggles of millions of Americans during the Great Depression. It was a documentation of a moment in history that people still look back on today. She made the world more aware of the unfair treatment of Japanese Americans in the internment camps. She serves as an inspiration to photojournalists around the world. She was able to give a voice to those who lacked the ability to share their story. Also, Dorothea Lange established the Aperture Foundation and magazine. 

In relation to my major at AIC, Lange worked for the Farm Security Administration, which was created under the Department of Agriculture. This was initiated by the United States government. This relates to my major at AIC because I am a criminal justice major. Another part of Lange's career that relates to my major is that she wanted to understand the suffering of others, not just simply take a photograph of them. I am a psychology major as well as criminal justice. As a psychologist, you are expected to understand others and why they are struggling.

Overall, Dorothea Lange was remembered as a pioneer in photojournalism. She pushed the boundaries as a female photojournalist. She strived to give those who were struggling and suffering a voice. The viewpoints of others on Lange were most likely the same. She fought as a female in a male dominated profession and she truly fought for awareness for those who needed it the most. Her photographs will be remembered and viewed for many years to come. 

Sunday, April 12, 2015

What Motivates Photojournalists?

Photo by Lynn Johnson

Motivation can be described as why a person does something. It pushes people to complete tasks and without it, not a lot would get done. There are many things that motivate a photojournalist to take photographs. The photojournalist might be motivated by money. Another possibility is to be motivated by being published. One photojournalist, Lynn Johnson, explains that her motivation is revolved around being a female in a male dominated profession. In the video titled Lynn Johnson Women in Photojournalism, Johnson explains, “documenting womens issues feels like a responsibility as a woman photographer”. From this video, it is easy to see where Lynn Johnson gets her motivation and inspiration. Women photojournalists have faced serious scrutiny from male photojournalists and others throughout history. Johnson takes this disadvantage and uses it to portray the issues that women face around the world today.

Another photojournalist, Alex Webb, explains that motivation cannot revolve around the ability to earn a large salary from the images that are published. In an article posted on erickimphotography.com, Alex Webb states, "Photograph because you love doing it, because you absolutely have to do it, because the chief reward is going to be the process of doing it". The motivation to photograph should come from a passion deep within the person. Money and fame are not guaranteed to last a lifetime. A photograph is able to spark change in its viewer. If a photojournalist is able to focus on the passion and not the money or other accolades, there can be serious social reform to come of it. Ed Kashi explains advocacy journalism and its impact that it can have in an article titled, Ed Kashi and the Importance of Advocacy Journalism. This article shed light on the motivation of Ed Kashi. A photograph can inspire people and influence them, but do all of them actually create change? Ed Kashi states that he aims for his photography to, "inform viewers but also inspire them to find activist solutions to social problems". Kashi wants to see change created from his photography. His motivation does not come from money or accolades, but the ability to create social change. 

Photo by Alex Webb

Photo by unknown

One photojournalist documents the change in motivation and inspiration that occurred throughout her career. In the beginning of any career, it is easy to get caught up in the idea of increasing your salary. Also, if you are at the beginning of your photography career, you want to build your portfolio. A person might lose touch with what their original motivation was for taking photographs if they are simply trying to build their portfolio. Esther Havens is a photographer that focuses on the humanitarian side of the profession. In an article on dutiee.com, Havens explains that, " I was excited about the photo I took and how great it would look in my portfolio, I didn’t pay much attention to the child’s misery. I felt something terribly wrong about my attitude". This quote perfectly explains the problem that many photojournalists can face early in their career. However, this form of motivation can work for some photojournalists. Havens motivation switched. She focused more on the story's of individuals. Rather than just taking the picture to add to her portfolio, she wanted to know more about the person she was photographing. Similar to Havens, photographer Felix Masi is motivated by being able to tell other peoples stories and the struggles that other people were going through. In an interview video titled Kenyan Photojournalist, Masi states that, "I could see pain through my lens but then I could see hope through these people". Masi believed that he was helping people gain a voice and get their stories out through the photographs. In this sense, I believe that Havens and Masi have similar motivation. 

Photo by unknown

Photo by Esther Havens

There are many things that motivate me. My motivation stems from my family, money, happiness, and leaving an impact. I strive to make my family proud. I am finishing up my junior year in college and hope to attend law school after graduating. Education is extremely important in my family. My mother expected us to go to college and get our degrees because she did not do the same as soon as she should have. Another thing that motivates me is money. I am attending college to gain an education and help me secure a career. A college education allows a person to find a job that has a good salary. However, I do not think that money is one of my main motivators. Some photojournalists might strictly be motivated by money. However, others might focus more on leaving and impact and helping others. I outlined these two motivational factors on my motivation map. I think that they are very important in life. Some photojournalists seek to leave an impact with their photography and give voices to those who cannot be heard. 
Photo by Lyndsey Letourneau




Sunday, April 5, 2015

Photojournalism and Bias

Photo by Ed Clark

Principle 1: Subject's expression
The subject's expression is one of the main components of this image. He expresses pure sadness and there is a feeling of grief. There are tears rolling down his face that adds more emotion to the photograph. The man continues to play his accordion, even though he is visibly upset. It seems like playing the song was a duty. This is a candid shot of the individual. The body language fits the subject's facial expression. 

Principle 2: Is the image black & white or color?
The photograph is black & white. I think that the black and white adds to the image. It gives all of the attention of the audience on the main subject. If there was color, the eye of the viewer might wander around the image. I personally think that the photograph looks better as a black and white photograph. It does not need to be in color and I think that the color would take away from the photograph. 

Principle 3: What feelings does the image create?
This image creates a feeling of sadness. Also, there is a sense of loss created by the expression on the man. The fact that the man is crying helped create a feeling of despair and shows that the man is powerless in this situation. I think that this image grows on me. The more I look at the image, the more I begin to wonder what is truly happening to the man. Also, I question the expressions on the faces of the people behind the man. They do not seem to display the same amount of emotion towards the situation. 

The image above conveys very strong emotions. In the forefront of the photograph is an African American Navy officer playing an accordion. The man has tears streaming down his face as he looks forward. There are several people in the background of the photograph. All of the people seem to be expressing some type of negative emotion. One woman is crying. The other people in the picture seem to have a somber look on their faces. However, each of the other people in the background seem to be staring at the man, as if it is wrong for him to be crying. I found it interesting that there was only one African American man in the photograph and he is showing the most emotion out of everyone in the photograph. If the photograph was just of the African American man, it would give off a feeling of sadness. However, the people in the background add an element of confusion and uncertainty. In Professor Nordell's video on photojournalism and bias, Professor Nordell speaks of the illustration that was a rendition of the assassination attempt on Queen Victoria. Professor Nordell states that William Wordsworth felt that pictures in the press were not good and that "people who were fed a diet of pictures might forget important things like reading and writing". After completing further research on the image by Ed Clark, I discovered that the image was taken of a Navy CPO named Graham Jackson playing "Goin' Home" as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's lifeless body is taken from the Warm Springs Foundation after having a stroke. I pondered the quote from William Wordsworth after watching Professor Nordell's video. In this case, I think that the picture does not take away anything from anyone. I think that it displays raw emotion and lets people gain an understanding of the feelings presented during this tough time in American history. I think that pictures do not take away from reading and writing, but these photographs aid in gaining a better understanding and seeing situations from different points of view. 

The Great Depression was a very hard time for Americans. According to history.com, the Great Depression, "was the deepest and longest lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world". The photography that was taken during this time attempted to depict the hardships of Americans during this time. In an article on medium.com, Donald Weber states that,"Photographers choose where their frame goes. They selectively choose what the audience will see, will believe". During Dorothea Lange's time photographing Americans that lived during the Great Depression, she attempted to portray the individuals just as they were and display the realistic nature of the Great Depression. She specifically chose to show the mother and child with blank expressions on their faces and dirty clothes. It looks like the family is struggling day by day. The Great Depression did not discriminate about the families that it affected. It affected everyone. Those who were employed lost their jobs and faced home foreclosure. Those who worked on a farm faced the Dust Bowl and most of the crops went unharvested. It was very hard for Americans to lead normal and healthy lives during this time. 

This photograph shows the truth to me. In an article on aarp.org, Patrick Kiger states that words can only do so much, but photographs, "often take hold of our hearts and reach us on a more primal emotional level". This photograph is full of emotion and triggers feelings of sadness in the viewer. The viewer can only imagine what the families had to go through during this extremely hard time. I think that most photographs of families during the Great Depression truly take hold of our hearts. The face of the mother is filled with hopelessness and she almost looks as if she has given up. The child is covered in dirt and has an expression of worry. The family is in a car and looks like they are on the move. During the Great Depression, families would pack up their belongings and search for work, which might be what this family was attempting to do. The family does not have much and desperately clings onto one another for support. I think that this photograph accurately displays the hard times faced by Americans during the Great Depression. 


Photo by Dorothea Lange

Principle 1: Obvious main subject
This photograph has two obvious main subjects. The mother and the child are the main focus of the image. The two take up the majority of the picture. There is not a lot of space for other things to be in the background of the photograph. The main subjects do not crowd the edges of the photograph, but take up just enough space to be considered the main subjects. 

Principle 2: Background compliments or detracts from composition
I believe that the background of this image compliments the composition. It looks like the mother and child are in a car. In the background of the image, you can see that there is a cardboard box and another child. The child is not fully shown in the image, so the child does not compete for attention with the two main subjects. The background is out of focus and becomes less clear. 

Principle 3: Does the image remind you of any work of art or photograph you have seen?
This photograph reminds me another photograph by Dorothea Lange titled "Migrant Mother". Both of the photographs were taken during the Great Depression. Both of the photographs are of a mother and a child. In both of the photographs, the mother looks like she is facing a struggle. I feel as if Dorothea Lange was looking to capture a feeling of despair and struggle by photographing families during the Great Depression. 

The second photograph that is displayed below does not show the truth in my opinion. I think that the main goal of the photography during the Great Depression was to show just how terrible life was for the people living during this time. The hardships were to be displayed through the photographs. I think that this photograph does not show how terrible the Great Depression was. This photograph could be used to show that even during hard times, there is still hope. However, I think that the first photograph has more truth to it. As stated in Professor Nordell's second video, the truth of a photograph "depends on the lens choice, angle, and what perspective you're trying to get across with your photograph". There are many aspects of a photograph that determine the level of truth. The lens choice and the angle do not determine much in this photograph. However, the perspective is important. Perspective is the way you see something. The way I see this picture is that it is a mother and a child laughing. Without knowing the time frame of the photograph, it can be difficult to understand what the photographer was trying to portray with this photograph. I think that the other photograph clearly displays what the photographer was trying to express. 

The two photographs were very interesting to view side by side. This photograph has both mother and child smiling. I pondered whether this photograph was staged or not. If this photograph wasn't staged, was the first photograph staged? There is no dirt on the child's face in the photograph below. The mother seems to be very happy and in high spirits. This photograph does not seem typical for that of a family during the Great Depression. Both photographs convey very different and opposite emotions, yet were taken at the same time. Either photograph could be seen as the truth or not the truth, depending on a person's opinion. As Shahidul Alam stated in the video posted by Conscious Action Network, "a story has many truths at many levels".  There is not just one opinion that is right regarding the truth of photojournalism. I think that the first photograph is more truthful because it shows the devastating nature of the Great Depression. 

After reading about the four ways of knowing in the article on toktalk.net, I believe that the reason I can determine which is the truth and which is not is because of language/authority. This means that the reason you know something is because someone who knows more than you told you or you read the information somewhere. My knowledge of the Great Depression was taught by teachers throughout middle school and high school. Also, any information that I did not learn from my teachers was learned from research on the internet or from books. I know that the Great Depression was one of the toughest times in America and it was not necessarily a time filled with much happiness. 

Photo by Dorothea Lange

Principle 1: Keep it simple
The composition of the photograph is simple. It is not cluttered. There are two main subjects that take up the majority of the photograph. Other than the two people, there is only a cardboard box in the background of the photograph. Everything else in the photograph is not distinguishable. I think this is helpful because the focus remains on the two people in the photograph. The viewers eye does not wander.

Principle 2: Use of lines
Although it is not very clear, the use of lines in the photograph help create the setting. The lines at the top of the photograph and the lines going down the left side of the photograph create the idea that the mother and child are in some type of vehicle. This makes it known that they are traveling to some place. The lines create a box around the mother and child, which keeps the viewers eye focused on the main subjects.

Principle 3: In or out of focus
The photograph is in focus. The main subject and background are in focus and do not seem slurry at all. The viewer is able to see texture on the jacket of the mother and can even read the words that are printed on the cardboard box. I think that it is good that this image is in focus. The image would become less clear and would lose some value if it was out of focus.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

The Ethics of Photojournalism

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

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. 

Sunday, March 22, 2015

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
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
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
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. 

Sunday, March 8, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.