History of Photojournalism

    Speed Graphic Cameras were produced in Rochester, New York. Production started in 1912 and continued until 1973. The article   Speed Graphic – Large Format Snapshot  by Anatomy Films, Speed Graphic cameras were “standard equipment for many American press photographers until the mid-1960’s."  It got its name from its 1/1000 second shutter achieved by the focal plan shutter.     Photojournalist Arthur Fellig, Weegee, could be one of the most famous users of the Speed Graphic camera in the 1930’s-40’s. Anatomy Films described his freelancing as a photojournalist for a newspaper that captured the harsh reality of Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the article  Speed Graphic – Large Format Snapshot .  The article  Photography that changed the way we view war   by CBS describes the power of photography during the civil war as "the first time true likenesses of the people who lived and died in the conflict remained as a record, ...

     This is an iconic photo that has inspired me greatly. Of course, there are more gut-wrenching photos and this may come across as shallow.  This classic photo of Marilyn Monroe is the image of feminine divine. This is the image I think of when I think of beauty; not because she is obviously stunning, but because she radiates confidence. I believe that this is an image that has inspired women to be comfortable in their own skin for decades. This image embodies sexuality and owning who you are.  While I feel photo such as these continue to empower people, it is up to people viewing the photo to make the change.     Photo By Sam Shaw       In his video Jonathan Klein photos that changed the world Klein said it perfect: “did the images change the world? No. but they had a major impact.” They can send a message of truth. I think it is human nature to avoid taking responsibility. We operate as if the problems do not exit if...

     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."      Understanding the history of photojournalism is just as important as understanding history itself. When learning history, we learn where we come from and the foundation on which we build our lives. The history of photojournalism...

Photo by Dorothea Lange  A mother holds her children close during the Great Depression. This is always the first picture I think of when I hear the word "photojournalism."  After seeing this photo for the first time many years ago, I was captured by the idea of outsiders spreading awareness of other people's issues and current events that otherwise would never be known.  I think photojournalism is a great way to convey emotion that otherwise would be difficult to understand.