A Black and White Comparison: What Does Retouching Tell Us About Photojournalism? - PhotoShelter Blog
A Black and White Comparison: What Does Retouching Tell Us About Photojournalism? - PhotoShelter Blog

This week, TIME magazine published James Nachtwey’s photo essay on the opioid crisis. Over his decades-long career, Nachtwey has carved out a reputation as a stoic and relentless documentarian of conflict and pain. His latest effort took over a year to produce, and it has all the hallmarks of great photojournalism, providing a level of…
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A Black and White Comparison: What Does Retouching Tell Us About Photojournalism? – PhotoShelter Blog

Do Frayer’s images pop? Yes, they do – especially when compared to Nachtwey’s. But does the retouching style support or detract from the content of the photos? And more importantly, does it matter? I would suggest that if any material percentage of the public believes that the scene has been staged, then insofar as photojournalism is concerned, there is a problem. But in today’s world where punchy Instagram-style images have influenced a news-weary public’s perception of photography, perhaps the discussion is moot.