Photography UNIT 57: Photojournalism

In Class today we looked at a documentary featuring the life and career of Don McCullin who is a British Photographer.  He took photo's that represented what the real issues there were in world in the 1960's - 70's. Based on the documentary that we watched I am going to answer the following questions.


Here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILB2ALJbd6c 

Why is Photojournalism Important?


The Google Definition of Photojournalism is "

the practice of communicating news by photographs, especially in magazines." This is what Don McCullin does. He gets real life issues across the wroeld through photo's and therefore he showcases the truth from a first hand perspective. Photojournalism is important in terms of telling the truth, because unless they have been photo shopped or taken in a biased way. they don't lie. even more so, testimonies can back them up. They also help summarise what is written in an article and make you understand what you didn't before because it is taken from a point of view of someone who was there and can vouch for the truth.

Positives of Photojournalism?

Looking at Don Mcullin and his career I can take out some of the positives of a career in photography and mainly in photojournalism.

•  Can get paid a lot of money to do something you love as i can see from Don McCullin as he is wealthy and is known for taking photo's of things, which  he loves.
• Can talk & show the entire world the real issues that the planet is facing
• Show how times have changed through the years and decades and compare to what life was like before and now with real photographic evidence.
• Talk about pictures about famous historical events which you  can relate to because the photojournalist was there.
• Get a rush from taking the photo's.
• Witness Events
• Travel around the globe
• Record Reactions through pictures
• Relive Memories
• Show the real truth

Negatives of Photojournalism?

• Can be taken to an extent, too far
• Have to take horrible pictures of horrible events that you will never forget
• Get in the middle of wars and disputes that can cause controversy
• can show bias easily and get abuse for this.
• Sensitivity is an issue
• Witness Bad Events
• Can't do anything to help because you are only their to take a picture.
• Have to make difficult decisions depending on the situation
• Be forced o stay in a horrible atmosphere in order to take the pictures
• Depressing time in ten Darkroom as it feels like your drowning in pictures and memories

My Thoughts on Photographing Graphic Events?

Personally, I think it's important to take pictures of these so people are aware of the issues going on around the world and how because people are in this position we can show them how they can help. Graphic Events are included. Because people need to understand through the eyes of a camera, what the actual situation is rather what they've read or heard about. although it might be distressing to see, camera's don't lie and it sways people make the right decision to either help or condemn the actions that they see on the photo.

Does Anyone Have the Right to Photograph These Events?

Anyone who has the right idea in terms of what they are going to do with the photo afterwards has every right to take the photo.Don McCullin had the right to take these photo's in order to spread awareness about the issues going on in the country. However, someone who only takes the same picture for more of informal situations such as a selfie or a post of social media. has absolutely no right at all. Taking Photo's doesn't  put the people in question out of their misery but spreading in the right place can make a start

What can or shouldn't be photographed? Why?
Things that shouldn't be photographed that isn't relevant to the situation. because this will just cause idiotic conspiracy theories taht won't help anyone or anything. Things that shouldn't be photographed are the actual killing itself, this causes distress and people won't want to subject their eyes to somethging like this. It won't do any good because it could cause nightmares and depression considering jhow that person could have stopped that death but couldn't for whatever reason.