2. What is a Photojournalist?
• What is photo journalism and why is it so important to
our society? Photojournalism is much more than just a
hobby or something fun to do. So what is
photojournalism then? Photojournalism is an
occupation in which one takes and uses photos to tell
a story and give insight on events happening. Dating
back as far as we can, people have been using images
to tell their stories, whether it was engraved into a
rock, painted onto something, or even a drawing.
Some may not have deemed these people as
photojournalists but it definitely had the same idea of
what we see today. Many news stations have
photojournalists that get out and document things
that then get published. They can also work
independently if they wish to do so, it doesn't always
have to be under a news program. They have they
freedom to choose what they want to do.
Photo by: Sebastian
3. Risks as Photojournalists
• There are so many risks that come with being a photo
journalist. Not only are they in situations that could harm
them physically but some of it can be really emotionally
baring. Journalists at the 9/11 plane crash had to sacrifice
their safety just to document a horrific event that took
place in U.S history. Those buildings could've came down
right on top of them. How about photojournalists at war?
They are risking taking a bullet to give us news on what’s
happening during these wars. I would imagine that some
of the things they see at war or even on the streets can be
very tough mentally. Some of the things people witness
out there can really take a toll on the mental and its truly
unhealthy at times. For you to be a photojournalist, you
have to understand the sacrifices that are going to come
with that. putting your life on the line at times to give the
people a story. Its truly incredible.
Photo by: Kamran Yusuf
4. Story 1
• James Nachtwey is a photojournalist
who worked for times over his 30 years
of working. One day he was covering a
story in Thai’s capital where there
were protests going on. At the time he
wasn’t working under Times, rather
doing his own work. While he was
there he was shot in the leg. The bullet
entered and exited his leg. He was
treated for his wound and immediately
after went back out and fulfilled his
quest on the story he was working on
Photo by: Sam Frizell
5. Story 2
• Gabriele Micalizzi was actually saved by his
equipment. While covering the war in Syria
Micalizzi was injured pretty badly by RPG
shrapnel. He was struck in the head, the eye,
and several parts of his body. Usually
journalists have some sort of protective gear
when they are out covering stories. It wasn’t
Micalizzi’s protective gear that saved him,
rather a Leica Q camera. These cameras have
been tested and came out to be very durable
cameras for journalists.
Photo by: Gabriele Micalizzi
6. The occupation of a photojournalist takes a special kind of human to be
able to do this kind of work. You need to have an eye for things and be
ready to capture every moment. It also takes someone who is willing to
sacrifice themselves for the people. They put themselves in situations
most people wouldn’t and they don’t bat an eye about it.
Photojournalism is also about passion and heart while telling the truth.
Without photojournalism, news we see would not be the same.
