For my first part of research for photojournalism I am going to discuss the research we done in the first day of class.
REARCH 1 -
TABLOIDS: 1. this type of newspaper tend to use images from a mobile phone which have not been taken at a professional level, therefore the quality and size of the image tends to be smaller and less easy to say.
2. They also tend to use images which have been taken by paparazzi,which appear to be more like snap shots rather than set up and thought out images for their newspaper.
3. The images tend to be unconsidered and at times they will use an image which may be very blurry and not what the story is actually about.
4. This type of newspaper can also be very judgemental, they tend to write a lot of things which are untrue and sometimes sway in a certain perception in order to sway the ideas of their readers which can make them manipulative without the readers even realising it.
5. Tabloids also tend to write mostly about human interest stories, this may include stories about celebrities, football, television shows and more. This is so they can grab the attention of the reader who is not looking to read an intellectual piece of writing.
6. The type of stories they write about tend to be very shocking and give off the fear factor. The use of big headlines with few words is hoping to grab the attention of readers and make them interested in reading the paper and therefore will buy it.
7. Some examples of tabloid newspapers are: DAILY MAIL, DAILY STAR, THE MIRROR.
RESEARCH 2- BROADSHEETS:
1. The type of images which are used in broadsheets are professional, well thought out images. They can often be set up to show a certain emotion which may fit with a story. The newspaper will nearly always have a professional photographer who they have commissioned to take images for them so that they are well done and have a professional finish.
2. The style of writing within a broadsheet is a documentary style, very professionally and well written which tells facts and the truth to the readers. They tend to read more about politics and world affairs rather than celebrities.
3. Unlike a tabloid paper, the writers and photographers are credited for their writing or photography. This is a much better work ethic to have as everyone within the newspaper is getting credit for their work.
4. The writing within the paper also shows empathy to the victim of the story, this differs greatly to that of tabloid as their hard hitting headlines are often distasteful.
5. The newspaper as a whole will also come across with a wider point of view and less bias. This means they always include both sides of the story and tell the facts without making judgement.
6. Examples of broadsheets papers are: THE HERALD, THE INDEPENDENT, THE GUARDIAN.
RESEARCH 3: Kevin Carter
Kevin Carter was one of the most recognised photojournalists in the world, he was born in South Africa on 27th July 1960. By far one of his most iconic images is of a young starving African child which is being watched over by a vulture. This image won him the Pulizter prize after he took the image in Sudan between 1994-93.
above is the image which I earlier referred to, it is by far one of the most emotional photos which I have ever seen and it portrays a hard hitting scene which was happening during that time in Sudan. It is one of the best photojournalism examples as it tells us a story and shows us what is happening in real life, real time in other parts of the world. Although there is no real technical aspect to this image the composition and framing add the the fear and shock factor which again makes it an interesting emotional image.
RESEARCH 4: Phillip Jones Griffiths
Griffiths is a very well known war photography who shot many graphic scenes during the Vietnam war. Many of his images have a very hard hitting disturbing viewing but they tell the story of the war very well.
this image was taken during the war. The use of black white film I feel adds to the image as it creates a contrast and good tones. By far it is the subject matter of the image which would catch most peoples attention. The use of the child within the image would definitely get many viewers emotional and what adds to the emotion is the fact that the baby has serious injuries. The use of the shock and fear factor adds to the truth of the story.
this is another image from the war. Again I feel the use of black and white film adds to the image but it is definitely the chaos which is happening within it which is most hard hitting. We can clearly see a terribly injured man who is surrounded by soldiers. I feel this image is great because it tells a story and shows us the real events which happened during the war.
RESEARCH 5: National Geographic image
Steve McCurry 1985
This for me, is one of the most iconic national geographic images I have ever seen. The image itself is very eye catching, due to the colours within it and then the girls expression along with the colour of her captivating eyes. As you start look closer, you notice that her clothing is ripped and she appears to be quiet dirty, this is when we begin to see that there is more to the image than just a simple portrait. This is a good example of photojournalism as it draws the viewer in and makes them want to read more about who the girl in the image actually is.
I found it very interesting that he also McCurry also went back years later to find the exact same girl to photograph her in her adult years and she had ages dramatically. This is another great example of photojournalism and telling a true story through imagery.
RESEARCH 6: Henri Cartier-Bresson
Bresson is by far one of the most recognised photojournalists in the world. His images always appear perfectly times and accurate of every day life. It is reported that he spent hours on streets in France each day waiting to capture things which happened.
this is by far one of his most hard hitting images as it involves a group of young children who are attempting to play in rubble in Seville 1933. This image is also very well framed as we get to see straight down the hole, thus showing us the true extent of the damage which has been caused. This image also tugs at our heart strings because it is of a group of young innocent boys who have no shoes and no other place to play and gather other than in the rubble.
RESEARCH 7: Robert Doisneau
Doisneau is another very iconic French photojournalist. He got into photography at a very young ago of 13 and has taken some of the most viewed images today.
this is one his most recognisable images which he has taken. Unlike many of the other images which I have spoken about this one has a very positive image of a sailor who is kissing his girlfriend/wife. The image almost appears set up due to the angle and framing which he has the subjects in. The use of black and white film adds to the style of the image with the outfits and look of the city at that time
RESEARCH 8: Margret Burke-White
Burke was born in New York, and she was one of the first woman to be an accredited war correspondent with the U.S troops, she was also the first western photographer allowed into Russia to take images.
This is by far one of Burkes most iconic images and has been seen by many people all over the world. This image has been named by Burke as the "Migrant Mother". This is a great example of photojournalism as we can see true emotion on the mothers face and as we look closer we begin to see the ragged clothing. This leads us to feeling further emotion when we see her two small children which are clinging on to her, perhaps in distress, hunger, or fear. We can then notice the tiny little baby in her arms as well as the dirt of their skin which leads us to believe they do not have a proper home. The composition and framing of this image works very well as the mother is the focal point of the image and wee can see her emotion.
RESEARCH 9: Daniel Berehulak
Berehulak was commissioned by the New York times to shoot a series of images which portrayed the pollution and sanitation and how it may affect children in India. He called the series of images "The Perils of Poor Sanitation in India". This is a good example of modern day photojournalism where the photographer has been sent over to another country on commission to tell a story through their images for the newspaper.
This is one of the images within his series. We can clearly see here the poverty within the area and the shocking conditions in which people have to work in in India. The image has been shot digitally and then slightly enhanced later. The composition of the image works very well as we start by focusing on the man and then our eyes travel around the image to the woman in the back ground and the boat.
RESEARCH 10: Vlad Sohkin
Sohkin is a well recognised photojournalist within Thailand and was named Photographer of the year 2013 by the Foreign Correspondents club. Sohkin took a series of images throughout Thailand depicting the poverty over there. He was admired after his reportage in a challenging environment showed the judges the highest ideals of photojournalism.
This is one of Sohkins images. This is a very hard hitting images as we see a lady who is in need of water and obviously has no where else to source if from and therefore she is resorting to hunting through old thrown away bottles to see if she can find one to drink. The technial aspect of this image is also very well done and interesting. I like the fact that Sohkin has used HDR as it is a bit different to many of the other photojournalism images. I think it adds to the 3D affect of the bottles and adds more colour to the image overall.
