Press photography, or photojournalism, is a form of photography used to deliver news to the public. And the role of photojournalists is to report about different events and display facts and reality.(Danilovic). On the other hands, art photography is defined as "photography that is done as a fine art -- that is, done to express the artist's perceptions and emotions and to share them with others"(McDarrah).
Therefore, those two style photographs have different main subjects and purposes. Press photography captured true moments in events happened in the world in order to tell the true news, but art photography captured artists’ feeling and emotions, which may be something in the real world or not, in order to express themselves.
For examples,
Press Photographs
Photo #1 is taken by Daniel Berehula is telling about Indian children labour’s situation.
Photo #2 is taken by Jeremy Selwy is captured the event of funeral for three dead servicemen in Wootton Bassett.
Photos #3 is taken by Dean Chamberlain named Jewel Path . He expressed forest from his perceptions. (Dean Chamberlain)
Photos #4 is parts of 12 stories of Room 107 taken by Lyndon Wade. He is expressing his imaginational stories which may happen in one of the motel room.
Those two styles seems very different, however, some similarities between press and arts photographs are existed. Even thought their main purposes are different, both press and art photography capture photographs in order to tell a story or convey their messages. Also, those photographers should have a good visual sense in order to visually explain or show what they are trying to tell through their photograph.
2. Is it ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs? Why? Why not?
Two art photographs I posted have definitely altered by artists. But it is very acceptable because their purpose is not showing the truth. What they try to explain is their inner feelings and aesthetic sense. Thus, if artist think altering is required for showing what they want to express, there is no barrier to do so.
3. Is it ethical and acceptable to alter press photographs? Why? Why not?
As press photography case, “journalistic codes of ethics followed by the most mainstream news media around the globe are very strict and do not allow any changes that might have an impact on the photo composition.”(Danilovic). It is because if they alter the press photographs, those photos will lose realistic which is the core meaning of press photos; as well as, photographers will lose their credibility.
References
Danilovic, Sandra. "Presenting the moment: Eugene Smith and Sebastiao Salgado." MODULE 11. Retrieved from https://gbc.blackboard.com/webct/urw/lc5122011.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct.
DanilovicSandra. “Week 9 Course Notes - Photojournalism: Shooting the truth.” MODULE 9. Retrieved from https://gbc.blackboard.com/webct/urw/lc5122011.tp0/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct.
Dean Chamberlain. Retrieved from http://www.deanchamberlain.com/forests.html.
Lyndon Wade. Retrieved from http://lyndonwade.com/#/portfolio/room-107/intro/.
McDarrah, Gloria S. The photography encyclopedia. New York: Schirmer, 1999.
The Press Photographers' Year 2010. Retrieved from http://www.theppy.com/competition/results?year=2010.
The Wade Brothers. Retrieved from http://www.thewadebrothers.com/
#1, http://www.theppy.com/images/2010/00065-A.jpg
#2, http://www.theppy.com/images/2010/03172-B.jpg
#3, http://www.deanchamberlain.com/forests/Jewel_Path.jpg
#4, http://www.thewadebrothers.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/800x450/r8.jpg
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete