Book Introduction
Photojournalism is different from what many people believed photography to be. In his video What is Photojournalism, Professor Nordell describes it as the process of “…photographing verbs… people doing things." Photojournalists need both a keen sense for photography and also where to find the events and situations that are worth being photographed. It captures people actively participating in history. Photojournalism allows moments in the past to live on. It documents more than just facts, but emotion. The Modern Met in the article The History of Photojournalism. How Photography Changed the Way We Receive News. defines photojournalism as, "telling the important stories of contemporary society."
We should know the history of photojournalism because it puts our current world into perspective. In Why Study History, by Joanna Hayes, understanding history is important because it is “…key to understanding the present." By documenting past events, we can compare it to current situations. In Hayes's video, we can see the similarities and differences in the stock market crash of 1929 and 2008, for example. We notice some of the same mistakes that are made through time. Maybe it warrants change or maybe these mistakes are human nature. We can see we aren't so different as the past and use it as motivation to make an active change. By critically thinking, we can avoid repeating history.
This history of photojournalism can also show us how activism and community changes. Events from around the world can be found in magazines, newspapers, and now our phones. Photojournalism connects people of different background and experiences and conveys feelings and emotions in a way that makes it comprehensible for everyone. In an incredibly diverse world, Haye's explains, “It helps us to appreciate multiple perspectives and interpretations." It creates a sense of community as we develop an understanding of different cultures and life experiences. A rally for change or call for celebration can bind countries together. Zoriah in In Harms Way explains that if a story is "important here, it will probably be interesting to the rest of the world." He plans on risking his life to tell the story of a struggling country to the rest of the world.
This history of photojournalism can also show us how activism and community changes. Events from around the world can be found in magazines, newspapers, and now our phones. Photojournalism connects people of different background and experiences and conveys feelings and emotions in a way that makes it comprehensible for everyone. In an incredibly diverse world, Haye's explains, “It helps us to appreciate multiple perspectives and interpretations." It creates a sense of community as we develop an understanding of different cultures and life experiences. A rally for change or call for celebration can bind countries together. Zoriah in In Harms Way explains that if a story is "important here, it will probably be interesting to the rest of the world." He plans on risking his life to tell the story of a struggling country to the rest of the world.
Photo By Gueorgui Tcherednitchenko
Lastly, the history of photojournalism creates intimacy. In the video Jason Henske- Photojournalism, Henske describes his experiences as a photojournalist on a local scale. He explains that photojournalism follows “families and people from youth to adulthood." This captures the vulnerability in people. It expresses a very personal feel. It evokes emotion that would not otherwise be felt and feeling that sense of empathy for other people is incredibly humbling.
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