photojournalism = images of human suffering?

[VinceC]

>>But consider the President's side, too. Puttng ANYONE up on front of that crowd is like putting Daniel in the lions' den.<<

Governing countries is tough. In the United States it also means being held accountable to public scrutiny. Those who run for elected office know this. And candidates are not above searching for any scrap of information that will depict their opponents in an unfavorable light.

Back to the topic, there are plenty of sources for non-depressing images and news available to everyone. These simply don't resonate with the public. Soviet Life was a magnificent publication, filled with beautiful compelling images showing the good side of the Soviet Union ... and there were plenty of good things going on there along with the problems. But it's part of human nature to accept the good without comment while scrutinizing the bad. Blaming journalists and editors won't change much at all. There's a phrase for that ... it's called "shooting the messenger."

 

[Pherdinand]

We are not blaming anybody. I was not, at least. I was just wondering about the equation sign there in the title.

 

[MelanieC]

Holiday photography = Everybody suffering

http://www.southflorida.com/events/sfl-scaredsanta,0,2245506.photogallery

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Photojournalism isn't only what's on the Breaking News alert.
These don't look like human suffering to me:

 

[x-ray]

Doesn't have to be but it often is. One example of each end of the spectrum.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

That's exactly what I mean. Even if an image does not show anybody actually being in trouble, the captiion, the title, or something will indicate that the main idea,the message is, that the world sucks.

It's good to think that PJ's are doing this to make us realize what's going on outside of our peaceful beautiful world, but i wonder if this degraded into a hunt for shocking scenes in order to achieve fame, prizes and new assignments.

Speaking as one who actaully spends time documenting those less fortunate than ourselves i find this sort of statement offensive. I know a few very good PJ's working here in SE Asia and i would not see their work as some sort of glory hunt to win awards and gain attention for themselves.

For myself I work with some extremely depressing subjects: HIV/AIDS being perhaps the hardest one and most upsetting one -but the point of the images is to preserve their dignity, record their plight and hope to change public opinion and gain some sort of support.

What with the recent threads attacking Sean Reid and questioning Seal's authenticity what has happened to the RFF community this last week? 🙁

 

[VinceC]

>>Photojournalism isn't only what's on the Breaking News alert.
These don't look like human suffering to me:<<

Those are all by Eisenstaedt, I believe. He was sort of a special case ... someone who could always find the whimsy that llies within in all of us.

 

[VinceC]

>>but the point of the images is to preserve their dignity<<

I couldn't agree more. The alternative is tragedies unwitnessed, lives not remembered, dignity unrecorded. People being mistreated -- by man or by nature -- want to have their stories told, want the rest of the world to know what is happening.

 

[Kyle]

There's too much bull**** going on in the world to just take pictures of happy people, puppies, and rainbows. As long as there is genocide (Darfur), catastrophic disasters (Katrina), or war (Iraq) there is a need for PJs to document it. As others said, there are less negative photos in other parts of the newspaper, and they have their place as well. But to complain that the news only shows bad things is ridiculous and even a bit selfish, because these events are happening in the world (this statement isn't directed at anyone in particular). At least you only see the photos, there are many people who have to live with this day in and day out!

 

[MelanieC]

For myself I work with some extremely depressing subjects: HIV/AIDS being perhaps the hardest one and most upsetting one -but the point of the images is to preserve their dignity, record their plight and hope to change public opinion and gain some sort of support.

Simon, I've often admired the work in your galleries and would never consider it exploitative. Quite the opposite.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Melanie
thanks for what you say here.

I just don't understand what's going on here with RFF this week.
Far too negative and smacks of some of those degenerative threads that PNet spawns. PJ's tread a very fine line and with the amalgamation of some of the larger agencies turning into giant picture stock libraries, where the message of images easily gets lost - it's not an easy way to carve out a living and make images that carry some social resonance and deeper meaning.

For those who seem to doubt the integrity and motives of recent PJ work and photojournalism in general, I suggest you spend a bit of time browsing the threads on Lightstalkers. There is one very interesting and informative thread about advice sought in shooting long term stories.

http://www.lightstalkers.org/method_for_shooting_a_longterm_story#latest

 

[Pherdinand]

I intended no offense, Simon. It was just a question which I thought about, after seeing the exhibition i mentioned and after discussing these issues with people from less than perfect countries, societies.
I don't know what you mean by the "what's going on here with RFF this week" and "degenerative threads" and i also don't really care, i put up a valid question (in my oppinion) with the honest intention of reading what other members think. And that's what I got, mostly, with some good counter-examples, thank you everybody. That's it.

As to the question of what do I prefer on images, beautiful landscapes or deeper meaning PJ work, well, my all-time favourite photographer is Robert Capa, and i don't like Ansell Adams' work at all.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I intended no offense, Simon. It was just a question which I thought about, after seeing the exhibition i mentioned and after discussing these issues with people from less than perfect countries, societies.

Ok fair point 🙂

I don't know what you mean by the "what's going on here with RFF this week" and "degenerative threads" and i also don't really care,

You've not been following the threads about Sean Reid and Seal then? 😕

 

[Pherdinand]

Nope. And i am glad i haven't.
I try to avoid these things, i am not coming here to have stupid fights with people i don't even know. I guess that's what it is about🙂
Hell, i even try to avoid any kind of fights, conflicts, in my real life!

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Amen to that Pherdinand 🙂

 

[eli griggs]

No photojournalism = no images of human suffering = ignorance is bliss = nothing changes and suffering out of sight = suffering that never happens.

IMO, photojournalist that record the human condition in a honest, straight forward manor, are simply keeping us informed on the goings on with our brothers and sisters; pleasure or pain, right or wrong, the world is populated by everyone else, but with one exception. When we cut those ties to the greater world at large, we are isolated and left powerless to attend the needs of our own humanity; IMO.

Cheers