Photojournalism Saw Its Reflection In The Mirror

SHOOT: I felt similiar revulsion during the 'Burning Man' saga.  At least 4 newspapers published the same images and you have to imagine a bunch of vulturaphers snapping way while someone right in front of them was burning.  I've discussed this with other people in the news media and there is a flip side.  Photographers and reporters do also have to be seen to be neutral observers.  This allows them access to war zones etc.  So sometimes not getting involved is part of the job description.

 

Posted on 06/14/2011 by admin

 
With one camera or another since I was 8 years old, I’ve always loved photojournalism. Always aimed to take compelling photos, always dreamed of being more of a photojournalist.
But after experiencing the story of this photo… I have to say I think less of my love for photojournalism than I used to.
As in great photos trigger great sympathy, triggers great humanity. Yet the humanity that is taking many of those pictures, I mean look at ‘em.
What they do as journalists is not so great. We need to know the truth of what is going on. But how can a photographer let us know what’s going on without being an inane gawker?
Below from PrisonPhotography:
“Canadian photographer Lucas Oleniuk has been awarded a National Newspaper Award in Canada for his image of Fabienne Cherisma dead on a Port-au-Prince roof-top, one week after the Haiti Earthquake.
Eight weeks ago Paul Hansen won a national award in his home country of Sweden. In March, I wrote about Hansen’s and other photographers’ awards for coverage of Fabienne’s death – Brouhaha in Sweden following Award to Paul Hansen for his Image of Fabienne Cherisma”

That’s now five photographers recognised for their images made within the space of an hour on a Tuesday afternoon.”