“PHOTOJOURNALISM: Language of the Image” by John Davidson
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Photojournalism is a visual language.
Just like stories, there are reasons that some photos are successful and why others fall short. When journalists discuss photographs using visual terms, the conversation goes beyond subjective likes and dislikes to more effectively address the value of the image.
Good photographers also think in these visual terms when they are on assignment.
They decide the moment to record, what to include, and what to take out.
They look for quality of light, juxtaposition, a point of entry, mood, emotion, and a sense of place in order to best tell the story visually. With experience, it becomes a natural process.
When it comes time to articulate the journalistic value of an image, photographers should use, and encourage others to use, the visual language.
Three types of images.
1. INFORMATIONAL PHOTO
photo by THOMAS E. FRANKLIN\The Record-a visual record of a person, place, or event.
-offers identification value.
-has very little story-telling value.
-passive
-active
2.PASSIVE PHOTO
photo by THOMAS E. FRANKLIN\The Record-subject’s whose purpose is to have photo taken for publication.
-there are times when passive photo at a live event is acceptable, such as when event has passed, such as environmental portrait.
-should never be passed off as active.
-can be effective as story-telling.
-need not be boring because event has passed.
3. ACTIVE PHOTO
photo by CHRIS PEDOTA\The Record-shows real situations and real people in real time.
-far preferable to environmental portraits after event.
-true documentary photography.
-often inspires, informs, evokes emotion.
-Photojournalism goes beyond surface facts to capture real situation.
-photojournalists are the eyes of the reader/viewer.
-job is to visually report on events.
