An introduction to the History of Photojournalism

    

Source: http://www.cah.utexas.edu/news/press_release.php?press=press_news_to_history

According to Merriam-Webster Online , photojournalism is “the job or activity of using photographs to report news stories in magazines or newspapers.” Photographers use their pictures to tell stories. I would expand this definition to include photographs that are presented in formats other than in print in magazines and newspapers. I do not feel that the definition of photojournalism should be strictly limited to prints in magazines and newspapers.  I believe that there are all sorts of other formats today including online and gallery style shows.  To me, photojournalism is really a style of photography that documents and provides a photographic record of events as they are occurring.

Self-portrait of photojournalist Robert Capa

Photo by: Robert Capa

Source: http://mattmackinnon.wordpress.com/2011/12/10/robert-capa/

     This has led me to ponder the question, “What is the difference between documentary photography and photojournalism?” It seems to me that one major difference is that the subjects of photo journalistic photos are more immediate and capture action at a specific event or time; whereas the subjects of documentary photos are typically longer term, and project based. I found an in depth explanation on a blog written by Tony Bridges which I think is worth a read. It is interesting to note that both photo journalistic and documentary photographs are usually published in magazines and newspapers, as well as other formats such as online. I feel that documentary photography could be a subset or type of photojournalism.

From a documentary series on Appalachia

Photo by: Milton Rogovin
Source: http://www.swiatobrazu.pl/dynamiczny_stulatek_milton_rogovin.html

     Why should we study the history of photojournalism? Studying the history of anything helps us to further understand the subject. Looking at the origins and evolution of photojournalism helps us to understand the craft as an art form, and also sheds light upon various trends in the craft and subject matter at the time that certain photographs were taken.  Photographs that are published and popular tend to reflect the public interest and the social climate of the time. One example we saw in this module was of the photo editors in the "In Harm's Way" video Zoriah and Alissa each met with photo editors to find out what stories were of interest to the people in the areas in which they were shooting.

Source: http://library.ryerson.ca/asc/2012/10/photojournalism-tools-of-the-trade/

Migrant Mother

Photo by: Dorothea Lange
Image Source: http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/may10/picture.html

When I think of photojournalism the images that come to mind and often are the most striking to me personally are those that convey humanity in difficult or tragic events. I think that seeing human nature shine through conveys hope even in the face of tough times. I have always thought this picture is strikingly beautiful, as it conveys the love of a family and the reality of the hard times families faced throughout the Great Depression. This picture paints an honest picture of what was going on at that particular moment.