What's the role of photo journalism?
In a world where time is no longer a luxury
and information is essential to daily living, the people still need their
information. Although information still comes in so many words, and people
hardly have the patience to go through all the words, they need the main points
and most important details as quickly as possible. Asides from that, people may
sometimes need other cues other than text, be it sound, touch, smell and so on,
hence, they have come to rely on the next visual aid - PICTURES. As it is well
known that a single picture is worth a thousand words, the mass communicators,
and news professionals have made a habit, or tradition, to include photographs
alongside their news as much as possible. These photographs aid, enhance,
facilitate, the delivery, retention, reception, and understanding of any given
news entry. Therefore the role of photojournalism is simply to aid the
communication of news events anytime and every time it is delivered to the
public.
Are there rules that photojournalists
should follow? Why? Why not?
Photojournalists have made a set of rules,
just as other fields in the workplace also have, to successfully follow to connect
photographers, broadcasters, and most importantly, the viewers. The NPPA stated
that a webpage is made specifically for the rules, which are listed as follows:
- Be accurate and comprehensive in the
representation of subjects
- Resist being manipulated by staged photo
opportunities
- Be complete and provide context when
photographing or recording subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups.
Recognize and work to avoid presenting one’s own biases in the work.
- Treat all subjects with respect and
dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to
victims of crime or tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the
public has an overriding and justifiable need to see.
- While photographing subjects, do not
intentionally contribute to, alter, or seek to alter or influence events.
- Editing should maintain the integrity of
the photographic images’ content and context. Do not manipulate images or add
or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.
- Do not pay sources or subjects or reward
them materially for information or participation.
- Do not accept gifts, favors, or
compensation from those who might seek to influence coverage. Do not
intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.
Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos
different than the ethics of writing a news story?
Taking journalistic photos and writing a
news story follow a similar set of guidelines. However, they both have a
different publishing and broadcasting process before headlining news to the
media. When a journalistic photo is taken, the photographer takes the photo,
and then needs to ensure that the image is not altered after, but only enhanced
(ex. changing brightness, contrast) and still portrays its original meaning.
When a news story is written, the process involves an individual writing a
story, then proof reading it numerous times, changing any grammar or spelling
mistakes, and then publishing it in the media for the public to read or view.
What's the impact of altering press photographs?
Should they be edited (at all) in postproduction?
Altering press photographs has a very large
impact on society only if they are extreme conditions like making models
skinnier or adding and subtracting elements and people into the photographs.
This can cause incredible problems with young generations growing up in a
materialist, self improvement obsessed society. Slight changes in photography
for increased quality such as hue, saturation, contrast and sharpness are
acceptable and may keep the original value of the photograph.
Link:
[http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/ethics.html]
