What is Photojournalism?

As Professor Nordell has stated in his video, "to understand photo journalism on a fundamental level, is to divide the word into two separate words photo and journalism."

For hundreds of years, photojournalists have been documenting history and informing generations of specific events that have impacted our present day society. As early as the 1850’s photojournalists have put their life on the line everyday, risking it all to capture that perfect moment of historical and artistic brilliance. A short clip from the documentary In Harms Way, provides you with a first hand look at photojournalist Zoriah Miller's brave determination when it comes to capturing images of war and overcoming the many risks standing in his way.

James Nachtwey, an American photojournalist and war photographer has devoted his career and life to traveling the world documenting conflict and critical social issues through the lens of a camera. As Nachtwey stated in his short video War Photographer, "Everyone cannot be there...Photographs are there to create pictures powerful enough to overcome the diluting effects of the mass media and shake people out of their indifference to protest. And by the strength of that protest, make others protest. The strength of photography lies in motivation to evoke humanity."

Afghanistan, 1996 - Mourning a brother killed by a Taliban rocket. Image by James Nachtwey

Rachael Towne is a photojournalist who has shared her intimate views and opinions of photojournalism.  She has shared on her blog that 'photojournalism does differ from commercial photography featuring subjects and people that may have no say in how the photo itself can be used and constructed. Like traditional print journalism, the job of a photojournalist is to capture the real story, with raw, authentic imagery and the utmost professional display of journalistic integrity.' Rachael herself is a very interesting photographer, her website Presets Galore provides fans with a brief understanding into her passionate hobby.

Photo by Photojournalist Zoriah Miller "Everybody want's to get an image that will stop a war."

In one sense, a photojournalist can be seen as a reporter, not an artist. Yet in another light, some images can be so visually captivating, it takes someone with a creative and artistic perception to hold the ability to speak so much by saying so little.

History is a vital part of the makeup as to who we are as a country today. According to an article found from the Academia database, Photography as Culture: Reconsidering the History of Photojournalism by Kevin Barnhurst, the significance found in journalism comes from the larger purposes and meanings of culture. “Many histories of photography and summary accounts of photojournalism history also build on the tacit assumption that centuries of technological progress have driven civilization ever closer to reproducing reality more accurately.”

Photo by Zoriah Miller, "It is my job to remain calm, and document the(se) situation(s)."

Photojournalism has shaped our history in more ways than just one. It remains important to study, interpret and appreciate the photos we see every day. They have a story to tell, and every story is vastly different from the last. We consume news on a daily basis, whether it be from the anchor on the 5 o’clock news, or the journalist writing for the Wall Street Journal- usually it seems to be the imagery that draws our attention to the core issue. We see, we hear and we visually empathize to a given situation. Photojournalists capture the issues, debate and controversy we don’t have the ability to witness. They are the eyes to the public, responsible for documenting our past, present and future.