Chapter Four - Working in the Digital Age

Digital Single-Lens Reflex Camera

DSLR/ Film

The technology known to replace the film-based SLRS’s during the 2000s, has become the most common type of interchangeable lens cameras used as of 2014.  The DSLR is the first camera to include the optics and instruments of a single-lens reflex camera with a digital imaging sensor.  Unlike photographic film, the reflex design is the main difference between a DSLR and other widely used digital cameras. 

“Digital photography, how is it making us think about images,about who we are as image makers, and what we can do with images.” Mentioned Tim Hetherington.

DSLR cameras allowed for the first photographers to express a new method in photography: depth of field. Photo by Deepak Photography

With the technological advancement with DSLR cameras, we are now able to have more of a flexible ability to experience as image-makers. The designs of the DSLR cameras are vastly different than previous camera innovations.   They typically use interchangeable lenses, a moveable mechanical mirror system, matte focusing screen, condenser lens, and a pentamirror to an optical viewfinder. 

The focus ability can be manual or automatic, which allows a convenient and less restricted way to capture certain photographs.  In comparison to the newer development of mirrorless interchanble-lens cameras, the mirror/prism (pentamirror) system is the most effective advancement that has changed the systematic difference in image capture.  The pentamirror is direct, accurate and quick, allowing a visual preview time with separate use of autofocus and an improvement in exposure metering sensors.

February 15, 1999 Nikon announced it was working on a “new professional class, high quality digital Single Lens Reflex Camera.  In June that same year, the company released the D1, the worlds first DSLR model.  Because of this advancement in photography, newspapers began to see how their business of print was slowly just beginning to dwindle.  “The digital word has begun, D1 replacing all film at forward-looking newspapers” said photographer, Ken Rockwell.

Looking back at something so complex and articulate such as the wet-plate collodion process to something so concrete like the DSLR- it’s amazing.  There was no denying, as Quinn Jacobson said, “wet place collodion photography is both somewhat difficult and dangerous to do.”  The process itself was seen as advancement in photography, pre-digital of course, I saw the wet-plate collodion process as the advancement in the use of light that was then developed into negatives.  As historians and other photojournalists, they have learned from the past inventions to develop a stronger advancement in the technology we see today.   Although with the DSLR we see a major improvement in the way the process of photography is executed, but with the correct understanding, the same past methods still apply.  Lighting, vision, and the ability to construct a direct and accurate photograph applies to both methods (then and now). 

Wet Plate Collodion Process is still practiced today.  Photo Credit: Studio Q

“Early on, cameras were bulky and file sizes were small, around 1 megapixel or lower, and image quality was rough in low-light situations. In a furious competition for market share, camera makers rushed to make improvements.”

As Chris Wilkins explained, the camera/film market is rapidly and constantly expanding, allowing for many developers to construct newly developed techniques.  The collodion process was an advancement the 19th century saw,  the DSLR was something the 21^st century was introduced with that made the art more concrete, fast and visually pleasing.  But with that said, the market is still constantly revolving.

Since 2008 the DSLR has now shared advancements in video capture.  Manufacturers have enacted a feature known as an HDSLR or DSLR video shooter, first introduced with the Nikon D90 with an exclusive HD movie mode. Video functions have continued to improve since the introduction of the HDSLR, an example today would be the popularity in blu-ray disc and Digital Cinema Initiatives.   

The ability to strive for an improvement in photography have all begun with the first photograph ever to be taken.  And since then the technology has adapted,  photographers have discovered abstraction, and constant innovations have provided a worldwide affect.  The collodion process and the first release of a DSLR camera have singularly competed in a historical advancement, with one universal goal remaining the same...Create photography, create art and express emotions and attitude; never denying the fact that photojournalism will always remain, regardless of where technology may take us!  

"The ease of digital manipulation that apps like Instagram allow, with their prettifying filters and antique effects, gives pause to some purists, who feel such transformations run counter to the documentary spirit of journalism. I think that’s always a conversation in photojournalism and a very important one." Said Time’s director of photography, Kira Pollack.   

The Art of Photojournalism

Before 1900

 

 Photo By:  John Thomson

Year Created:  1876

Subject's Expression:  This photograph captured this time period perfectly.  You can tell the two soldiers were not under any type of pose for the photo, which makes the reality of it all come alive. The body language speaks for itself, and makes the viewer wonder about their life story and what's going on in this period in history.

 

Keep it Simple:  With something so simple, I think it can be the most powerful.  Thomson kept the image simple, along with the subject matter.  I think with the display of so little, provides the viewers with the opportunity to think so much more.  

 

Rule of Thirds:  Just like any well portrayed portrait, the principle of subject placement was successfully portrayed here.  The main subject here is of the two soldiers, and they are proportionally placed right in the center.

I choose this image because I found the picture to be curious.  I began to think about what was going on in this specific period of time and where these soldiers were going.  Or even if they are soldiers, or slaves.  A good photograph makes the audience develop questions.

1901-1950

Photo By:  Margaret Bourke-White

Year Created: 1934

Quality of Light:  The contrast of the black and white tones, along with sepia are very eye catching and flatters the subject matter.  I enjoy how the deeper my eye is drawn into the photo, the lighter it gets.  The quality of light in this photograph is very appealing, and engages the use of line along with the depth of field.

 

Use of Line:  The use of line in this photograph is spectacular.  The eye is immediately drawn to the depth of the bridge itself.  The positioning of the camera angle allows the viewer to have a slightly different view from the bridge and because of the articulate horizontal and vertical lines, it is eye catching.  There is even beauty in architecture if you perceive it just right.

Depth of Field:  Because of the direction of line, and the entire image remaining in focus the great depth of field is an obvious principle.  It was appealing to see how the entire architecture was captured.  I enjoyed how I can easily see the first pillars, and the clearly depicted geometric shapes, to the end of the structure.  I could clearly imagine how elongated the bridge is.

 

I choose this image initially because of the color, not quite black and white nor sepia.  It was unique.  I've always enjoyed Margaret Bourke-White and her eye for architectural photography- she truly see's the beauty and uniqueness in something so ordinary and obscure.  

 

1951-Today

Photo By:  James Nachtwey
Year Created: 2001
Obvious Main Subject:  The ruin and the flag are both outlined in this photograph.  The subject matter is clearly displayed about 1/4 of the image area.  Because of the use of this principle, the impact is greater.

Contrast Appropriate:  The contrast is very dark and grey, with the only color coming from the American flag.  The darkness combined with the only color coming from the flag contributes to a somber feel.  So powerful and moving with the use of a contrasting color was unique.

What in the image helped to create the feeling?:  September 11th was a powerful and emotionally riveting day.  Certain images like these strike certain emotions.  For me personally, I had feelings of remembrance and hope.  The American flag acting as a symbol, and the way that Nachtwey captured the shot, our eyes are immediately drawn to that powerful display.

I chose this picture originally because I was attracted to many of James Nachtwey's photographs.  I think he has a very different and pristine way of capturing his photographs.  Almost all of them include the artistic and compositional principles that make up a good photograph.  But this photograph especially caught my eye, the angle coming from the window was creative.  It was framed perfectly, and the contrasting colors really symbolized the American Flag in a scene of destruction. 

Wet Plate Collodion Photography: Pre-Digital Photographic Technology

Way to Go PATS!  

I had the chance to head into Boston for the day and catch the Superbowl XLIX Victory Day Parade! I got to take some great shots throughout the day,  Julian Edelman is pictured on the left, along with my favorite part of the day...the CONFETTI!

This generation it so easy to be able to pull out my iPhone and snap a couple great pictures that could take only half a second.  Its near impossible to imagine such a complex photo shooting process that photojournalists experienced back in the 1800's (and simply because they had no other options).

A career in photography pre-digital age was difficult, and at times dangerously risky.  Here is a look inside how our history during the Civil War era was documented and how the photojournalists accomplished it.

Wet Plate Collodion Process: An Advancement in Photography (Pre-Digital era...)

There is no doubt about it, technology is developing with the growth of every generation.  With the right technology, it seems almost anything can be captured in the light of a photograph.  Even our cell phones now have the ability to capture anything with high resolution and quality, with just a touch of a button.  

"Wet Plate Collodion photography is both somewhat difficult and dangerous to do" said Quinn Jacobson.  

In the 1800's photography was becoming to be more a career for many rather than a part-time hobby.  The process of wet plate collodion photography itself could take any where from 10-20 minutes.  With several steps involved, the intricate development begins with panels of glass that are shaved down and coated with a chemical solution called collodion,.  Now that a negative has been created, the glass is submerged into a solution of silver nitrate, which makes the product sensitive to light.  The wet glass would now be moved to light proof box to deny all light from obscuring the image development. The negative that has been moved in the light proof object is then moved to the camera.  What has become to be known as the "dark slide" (panel in the light proof object) and the lens caps of the camera would be removed for several seconds, which would allow for the photograph to be taken.  To finalize the product, the photograph would be taken to a dark room where it is then mixed with other chemical solutions to complete the final project. 

"The biggest challenges I have is the technical aspects of the process.  I have no running water it is much more difficult to control the light when I am not in my studio." Jacobson commented, in regards to the troubles he faces when he takes his hobby on the road. 

Image by Alexander Gardner

Of course with any elaborate and complex process, there are going to be drawbacks the photographer must face.  The steps to achieving the wet plate process requires considerable skill and ability.  During the late 1800's many of the civil war photographs were documented with wet plates.  Being out on the battle field, many photographers traveled with a wagon full of required supplies, and almost every time the process has required  a two-man operation.  Almost all photographs we see during that specific time period are all stills.  It was essential to keep the shutter open for an extensive amount of time to be able to take the picture, action photography was always near impossible to capture.  This is the reason why there are no battlefield combat photographs of the war itself.  Not only did photojournalists struggle in achieving an exceptional product, but also experienced difficulty when it came to traveling with chemicals and breakable, required elements.  As an example, famous wet plate photographer Alexander Gardner, who documented much of the civil war, has been well known for his photograph he took of Abraham Lincoln (above right).  In this photograph, there is a clear crack in the glass negative, which occurred during the development stage.  Certain flaws affected many photographs during this era due to the complex process it took to accomplish a wet plate photograph.

August 1862
"Culpeper Court House, Virginia. Federal soldiers and wounded Negro."
Wet-plate glass negative by Timothy H. O'Sullivan.

"The technique itself makes me appreciate photographers of the 19th century even more" concluded Jacobson.     

It amazes me, as I was searching through the collection of images from Roger Fenton and the web site http://news.discovery.com/history/us-history/civil-war-photography-warfare-110411.htm   it is clear to see how photography has evolved. Comparing my photographs that I took while in Boston I noticed the one requirement photography has needed in almost every process, regardless of the era-is light. Light is the beneficial factor in successfully producing a photograph.  Too much light exposure can ruin a picture, and too little light can obscure the main object of focus.  Not only was this a factor many photojournalists faced during the 1800's with wet plate but it is something photographers need to consider today as well. 

   

Can Photograph's Change the World?

Photographer: unknown

 More or less… 

Photo by Gloria Clark
Source: http://www.myjewishlearning.com/blog/southern-and-jewish/files/2014/09/9-11-skyline-night.jpg

September 11, 2001 was the day the world witnessed a tragedy.  On a Tuesday morning, terrorists hijacked American Airlines flight 11, along with the 87 American passengers on board. Around 8:45 a.m the plane was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City in an act of terrorism. America was under attack, and this was just the beginning.

I remember sitting at my desk at school, I was in third grade, and had no idea that I was about to witness history.  Images were flashing up on the television that my teacher, Mrs. Allan turned on.  And slowly I watched as tears streamed down her face.  “My son is in there,” she said.

Being eight years old, I guess I didn’t really understand what happened until I actually saw it.  I remember very clearly almost every television that lit up in the school that day, were all flooded with images of smoke, fire and devastation.  There wasn’t much to explain, the images spoke for themselves. 

Now almost fifteen years later, the attack of 9/11 is being studied and printed in history books.  I can’t really explain what terrorism is without being able to show it.  These images have changed our world forever and have greatly impacted our society entirely.  Not only has this event shaped how our country reacts to war on terrorism but also how we continue to remember the heroism, bravery and gut wrenching emotional devastation witnessed that day.

So maybe, not necessarily is it always the pictures that can change the world, but the emotional reaction that is provoked. “The pictures themselves don’t change the world, but we are also aware that since the beginning of photography, images have provoked reactions in people and those reactions have caused change to happen.” Said Jonathan Klein.

Since that faithful day on September 11, 2001 we have witnessed a great change in the way we go about everyday activities, and the way we remember our past as a country, bound together by how we appreciate our history today.  Through various research (click here) it is evident that the government has censored photographs that were released, trying to cover the revolting truth behind the devastating heart ache. The truth of our history, should never be shadowed by an uncertain reality. 

"Journalism has been forever changed -- I'd argue for the better -- thanks to the fact that people can interact with media organizations and share their opinions, personal stories, and photos and videos of news as it happens."  Said Katie Hawkins-Garr.

 Photo by David Surowiecki

Photo by Richard Drew

“Documentation and dissemination is helping professional and citizen journalists alike bring more clarity to events.” Said Dan Gillmore of The Guardian. 

The image below was the photograph that Mrs. Allan hung in front of her classroom, and it stayed there until her retirement two years ago.  Maybe because it was personal, or maybe it symbolized more than that, but it made a statement that this historical devastation changed everyone's life that day.  This picture provoked a sense of emotional turmoil, and it also declared the day our country went to war on terrorism.  Pictures do not necessarily change the world, but they do promote change throughout our country and provoke remembrance and commemoration among those who appreciate it.  We will always remember this day; I will always remember this day just as well as I will always remember this picture.  And this day will always be remembered in history as the day America not only lost over 3,000 people, but it was the first day of a very long, strenuous war against those who have threatened our country.

Photo by Thomas E. Franklin
Image source: http://www.worldsfamousphotos.com/tag/911/

“These are the Images that show uncompromising crucial issues, images that transcend borders and religion.  Images that provoke us to step up and do something…in other words, act.” Finalized Jonathan Klein.