Is Photojournalism Dead? We Almost Hate To Ask : The Picture Show : NPR
To be honest, the debate is pretty stale. We’ve been brooding over this for months (or even years). What’s worse: No one really has an answer
Link: Is Photojournalism Dead? We Almost Hate To Ask : The Picture Show : NPR
No it’s not dead yet however we are at a stage where the public is more visually illiterate than ever. The respect for photography is at rock bottom.
IMO Digital has devalued the image in some ways, turned many photos into pure illustrations and have convinced enough people that a bad image with alot PS is good enough. Great, natural documentary imagery bores most cause they would rather see Paris Hiltons “up skirt” shots on some tacky site and a long form essay.
Photojournalism is not dead, but the photos will have to veer moreso into art, if they have the natural talent to pull it off that is.
That’s why the Alex Webbs, Matt Stuarts, David Alan Harveys, Nachtweys, Jeff Ascoughs, Trent Parkes, Joel Meyerowitz”‘s etc will always be on top. They have that little thing called “natural” ability, to shoot an amazing, visually complex images “in camera” without dressing an image up with PS to justify it being a “good” image.
Why aren’t the public interested in strong, natural photo essays. Why, cause they don’t respect the image any longer, photography is no longer “special”.
Hmmm, Look at the wedding industry, great natural photos are few are far between (Jeff Ascough being an exception, he’s a real supertalent). Most of the industry is populated with the most over the top PS’d imagery around. Bad image after bad image dressed up with 3 months PS work. Why, Cause they can be, cause they need to be, they are dealing with the public and the public has little respect (or knowledge) of great natural photographic talent. Show them a Bresson against a pretty sunset picture and you know which will be “Boring” in their eyes.. Now, with the public, things have to be PS’s to an inch of there life or the public with think, “er big deal. i could have done that” (they couldn’t of course but their perception is that it’s all too easy). Why would I like 15 images in an essay when there are no huge vinettes, or PS actions and saucy shots of Lohans fire crotch.
I don’t think Photojouranlism is dead, it is more of an endangered species than anything else. I think that the photojournalist who can shoot stills and video to supplement the stills will find commissioned work. Then again I could be wrong.
You can see the trend towards self funded documentries, and longer journalistic stories. Albeit I thought we would see some stories as a result of the earthquake in Haiti, yet nothing much has been published in a full feature that I have seen. If someone has seen something related to Haiti let me know please.