I recently read an article “Photojournalists Are Getting Artsier — But Is That What Audiences Want?” It got me thinking. It’s one of the most well written articles on the subject and it raises lots of good points. It also got me to surf to the MagnumInMotion website and see what’s new. [NOTE: If [...]
I recently read an article “Photojournalists Are Getting Artsier — But Is That What Audiences Want?” It got me thinking. It’s one of the most well written articles on the subject and it raises lots of good points. It also got me to surf to the MagnumInMotion website and see what’s new. [NOTE: If anyone over there is reading how about a little RSS for the essay page] We all agree that Magnum is the pinnacle of photojournalism. Period. So it warms my heart to see such beautiful and artistic presentations of their photojournalism. My favorite recent offering is:
Silicon Forest by Christopher Anderson.
And to offer my two cents about this article “Photojournalists Are Getting Artsier — But Is That What Audiences Want?” In my 15 years at the Mercury News, I’ve received a handful of letters from readers about my work as it has appeared in the newspaper and now on the web. The only thing these letters had in common was their appreciation of what they called an “artistic” approach to photojournalism. So, from my small corner of the world, the answer to this question is, yes.
I strongly believe photojournalism is in good hands. Seek the truth, be true to yourself and respect your subjects. Just tell me a story damn it! A good one. Forget about the technology and the gear. Remember your approach to journalism is yours, it’s who you are and what makes you a good journalist. Don’t listen to me or anybody else about the way things should be. Story and Truth are all that matter, the rest are small and subordinate details.
-r
Related Posts
- Journal Of A Photographer – Photojournalism Blog | A website and a photoblog about photojournalism and photography by freelance photographer Martin Fuchs
- NPAC Photojournalism 2008 in Vancouver
- NPPA: Best of Photojournalism 2008 Still Photo Winners
- Dirck Halstead presents The Digital Journalist – A Multimedia Magazine for Photojournalism in the Digital Age
- Too much Photoshop? Judge for yourself
One Response
I agree Richard.
As long as we’re accurate and authentic,
who needs standardized rules for reportage
(such as AP style, yuck..)?
Of course, that’s not to say that we as individuals shouldn’t express how we think it should be done in these crazy mixed up times of chaos and digital anarchy (and seeing as how art is expression and all).
Magnum is certainly the best and most artistic for photojournalism on the whole, but I personally would like to see them innovate and experiment more with interactivity and the non-linear narrative.
For starters they need to recruit more multimedia gurus such as yourself to their membership. You know, if they want to maintain their leadership in the field. Not that they aren’t already doing a damn good job of it of course.