Photojournalism involves accurately capturing current events in photographs to illustrate news stories. Great photojournalism uses images to tell the story before the text. While maintaining objectivity and integrity, powerful photojournalism engages viewers emotionally and makes them want to learn more about the event. A code of ethics prohibits altering images, as even subtle manipulation can damage credibility. Formal training is often required for photojournalism careers, though some self-taught photographers still succeed. Iconic examples like 9/11 photos continue to impact viewers long after the words are forgotten.

1. By Anna Shorina
Chuvash State University

2. Photojournalism is an
area of photography
dedicated to taking
accurate shots of current
events. The basic
mission of a
photojournalist is to take
pictures to accompany a
news story (whether it is
broadcast or published
in a newspaper).

3. However, truly great
photojournalism
pictures should tell the
story BEFORE the text
or broadcaster does.

4. “It is one thing to photograph people. It is
another to make others care about them by
revealing the core of their humanness.”
- Paul Strand (American Photographer, 1890-1976)
Photo taken by ZORIAH photojournalist

5. Photojournalism pictures attempt to capture the
viewer’s attention and emotion to entice him to
continue listening to or reading about the story.

6. Think of newspaper covers with
large, dramatic shots of the latest current
event: these pictures reflect the articles’
titles while adding a dynamic edge to
story by visually communicating the
pathos of the event.

7. A key aspect of
photojournalism is
to present accurate
pictures that don’t
compromise the
integrity of the
actual situation.

8. Consequently, altering
pictures with computer
software is considered
taboo among serious
photojournalists and
news organizations.

9. This code of ethics is one of the central
features of photojournalism that
distinguishes it from other areas of
photography.

10. Careers in photojournalism can be destroyed
by even a hint of photo manipulation. For this
reason, many photojournalists prefer to use
traditional film rather than digital cameras.

11. Although digital cameras allow
photojournalists to review photos
immediately in the field, digital images
are easier to manipulate than film
negatives.

12. Manipulating images can
seriously damage a
publication’s reputation, as
happened in 1994 when ex-
football player OJ Simpson
was arrested on suspicion
of murder.

13. Both Newsweek and Time
Magazine ran cover pages appearing
to feature Simpson’s mug
shot. Time, however, ran a photo-
illustration based on the mug shot.
While the magazine noted the image
was a photo-illustration inside, a
casual observer of the magazine
cover would not be aware of this.

14. The issue caused a scandal, including
accusations that Time was pursuing a racist
agenda and presupposing Simpson’s guilt. The
respected magazine’s reputation was badly
damaged by the fiasco, highlighting the need
for image integrity in photojournalism.

15. Timeliness — the images have meaning in the
context of a recently published record of
events.

16. Objectivity — the situation implied by
the images is a fair and accurate
representation of the events they depict in
both content and tone.

17. Narrative — the images combine with other
news elements to make facts relatable to the
viewer or reader on a cultural level.

18. Photojournalism is primarily a practical form
of photography, especially given the
importance of maintaining the integrity of the
scene. However, the field of photojournalism
may also be considered to be an art form in its
own right. Scene composition, choices of angles
and lens choices all determine the impact and
power of the resulting shots.

19. In recent years, more and more art galleries have
displayed pieces of photojournalism, lending it more
respect as an art form.

20. Working within the
boundaries of
photojournalism ethics
and still producing art
can be compared to
writing haiku poetry: part
of the beauty or impact
comes from how the
photographer (or poet)
works within the genre’s
restrictions.

21. The definition of
photojournalism as
art does raise some
problems for the
standing ethics of
photojournalism.
While image
manipulation is
taboo for
photojournalists, do
es this restriction
apply to
photojournalism
used as art.

22. If photojournalism images are
manipulated in the name of art, people may
be less willing to trust the images they see
in newspapers and magazines.

23. Odd though it may sound, comic books have
inspired more people to consider careers in
photojournalism. Jimmy Olsen (Superman
creator) and Peter Parker (Spiderman inventor)
hearken back to the days when a camera and a
good eye for detail were all that were essential
for careers in photojournalism. (By the
by, Peter’s tendency set up his camera to take
pictures of himself as Spiderman go against the
deepest ethics of photojournalism. For
shame, Spidey, for shame!)

25. Today, courses or degrees in photojournalism
or professional photography are often
requirements for careers in this field. While this
doesn’t mean that a talented amateur
photographer can’t break into the field, editors
are more likely to consider hiring someone
with formal training. Courses in
photojournalism are available at some colleges
and most photography schools.

26. The best photojournalistic pictures inspire
the emotion of the scene within the viewer.
Some of the more recent examples of
photojournalism have been the devastation
of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and
the Iraqi War.

29. Good examples of photojournalism engage
viewers and make them want to read the
accompanying story. Perhaps the most powerful
examples of photojournalism in recent memory
were the images taken of the destruction of the
World Trade Center in New York on September
11, 2001.

30. Images of the hijacked planes slamming into
the towers shocked people worldwide. For
many, these images continue to linger in and
haunt the memory long after the words in the
news articles have been forgotten. Such
examples of photojournalism convey the power
and responsibilities of the professional
photojournalist.

31. Thank you for watching!