menu szukaj
Weekly Online Magazine
ISSN 2544-5839

new articles each monday
zamknij
Work In Media

9.01.2002 Press photography

Press Photography - What Does It Mean?

Janusz Wójtowicz

According to Professor Władysław Tatarkiewicz, ART is a conscious activity that reproduces reality, shapes forms, or expresses experiences, and at the same time, its product - the work of art - is capable of delighting, moving, or shocking.

Press photography can be an art, but it must meet these conditions. A good press photographer always strives to achieve a work of art, although this is not always attainable. Working under very difficult and unfavorable conditions often makes it impossible to achieve an artistic result, and since the main goal before them is to create an accurate image of reality, they must take photos that lack artistic value.

Photographic reporting is somewhat akin to written words. Important are spelling, technical skill, grammar, clarity and quality of thought expression, beautiful style, artistic values of the subject, but the most important thing is what we want to say and how we can express it. The combination of all these elements into one harmonious whole creates great photographs. Henri Cartier-Bresson claimed that "photography is the simultaneous understanding in a fraction of a second of the meaning of an event, as well as the precise arrangement of forms that will give the event its proper expression."

A photojournalist must be able to extract from the surrounding world a fragment that portrays pain, joy, or humor and present it in a way that is both beautiful and clear, understandable to everyone. The boundary between subjects that can and should be photographed and those that the photojournalist`s lens should remain blind to is extremely thin and barely perceptible. It should be remembered that the camera in the hands of a press photographer is no less a dangerous tool than a weapon. Just like a rifle, a camera can injure, maim, and lead to tragedy.

The ultimate judge of what can or cannot be photographed is the photojournalist themselves, just as the person holding the rifle is the judge. The photojournalist is both a part of and not a part of the photographed event. Standing with a camera in hand and observing the world through the cold lens of the camera, filtering the storm of movements, gestures, and moods. As one of the reporters for "Świat," Jan Kosidowski, claimed, "photojournalism is a matter of rapid selection and visual preservation of elements, from which, like building blocks, the whole is constructed. When the magical moment passes, no one and nothing will help. Elaborate and convoluted photos, in which the author has lost themselves, do not stick in memory as much as ordinary photographs that do not strive for oddity." The Chinese say, "A poor thought hides behind flowery speech." Simple and clear photographs are often the most challenging to achieve.

advertisement

An important role in the development of photojournalism was played by the photography agency "Magnum," founded in the 1940s in France. Photographers from this agency created the concept of so-called life photography. The beginnings of Polish photojournalism, with clear features of life photography, are inextricably linked to the weekly magazine "Świat." This magazine was founded in 1951 in Warsaw and from the beginning had the character of an illustrated magazine, where photography and photojournalism played as significant a role as written text. Władysław Sławny became the head of the photo department, and the team of photojournalists included: Zdzisław Małek, Paulina Kornecka, Wiesław Prażuch, and Jan Kosidowski. In 1969, the weekly "Świat" was discontinued.

People involved in photography can be divided into two separate groups: those studying techniques and conducting research, and those taking pictures. You don’t have to be an engineer to drive a car well. Photography is not a hard science, as the conditions under which one works are different each time, and consequently, the results will also vary.

According to Adam Hawałej, a photojournalist for PAP, the most important thing is "the ability to condense many stimuli into one photograph and perceive details in the surrounding reality that the so-called normal person does not notice. The need for expression in a single frame on every topic. The lens must be an extension of the eye and hand of the photojournalist. If tasked with photographing a certain person, one must choose such a formal key to show both their essential physical characteristics and their psychological truth. This is a significant choice and an art in itself, for there is no objective photography, just as there is no objective journalism."

The human weakness of peering into others` psychological nakedness, capturing their image and behavior, probably existed since the moment the first photograph depicting a birdhouse was taken by the world`s first photographer, Joseph Nicephore Niépce, in May 1816. It must be stated that photojournalists are indeed peepers; only instead of a keyhole, they use precise lenses. They tend to observe people rather than humanity, and there is a significant difference even when photographing a single person.

Erich Salomon argued that the work of a photojournalist is an eternal battle, a battle for the shot, and - just like hunting: in the end, it is the one who enjoys hunting that will catch the game.

Press photography tells the truth, just like a mirror we look into every morning; it is the "ontological authenticity of photography" - the photographed phenomenon or object must have truly existed at the moment the photograph was taken. However, a good press photo must also tell a story. A photojournalist should capture an event in a frame so that it is not only a documentary record but also material for contemplation.

Press photography captures the image of our times. It is a mirror for the present and a document for future generations. Its central point is the human being and everything related to them: their work, play, and customs. Individual prints can be messages, portraits, art, or documents - whichever of these genres they belong to, they are primarily accurate reflections of their times. And press photography itself is the acquisition of the ability to perceive and the possibility of personal expression.

Share the article:

dodaj na Facebook prześlij przez Messenger dodaj na Twitter dodaj na LinkedIn

COMMERCIAL BREAK

See articles on a similar topic:

My Path to Photojournalism

Janusz Wójtowicz
To be a photojournalist, one must possess an innate ability to see with images, have something to say, and master the technique of photography to the degree that allows one to forget about it while working.

Trends in Mobile Photography. Huawei XMAGE Report

Marta Januszkiewicz
A team of experts, with the help of AI, analyzed photos and videos submitted to the latest edition of the HUAWEI NEXT IMAGE Awards mobile photography competition. The result is the HUAWEI XMAGE Trend Report 2023, a publication identifying key trends and themes in images generated by smartphone users.

Photography, My Hobby

Janusz Wójtowicz
An old saying goes that "a photo is taken by a person, not a camera." There is much truth in this, but it cannot be denied that the equipment significantly affects the quality of the photos we obtain.

How to Choose a Gimbal: Key Things to Consider Before Buying [GUIDE]

Krzysztof Fiedorek
A gimbal is a device that helps stabilize footage while recording video. It’s an essential tool for anyone looking to capture smooth and steady shots. There are many types of gimbals on the market, so choosing the right one can be challenging.

Main Truths of Photography

Janusz Wójtowicz
You don’t need a lot of money to take good photos. There is no "best" camera. However, there can be a camera that is "best suited for the type of photos you take."

Photographing Art

Janusz Wójtowicz
This is a field of photography that requires great sensitivity and a solid equipment background from the photographer. Photos are taken practically in the absence of light that allows for a proper shot.

Before You Buy a Used Camera

Janusz Wójtowicz
A guide for beginner photojournalists on how to choose the right equipment at the right price so that you don't regret it later.

More in the section: Press photography

community

Facebook LinkedIn X Twitter Google RSS

Work in media

United States
New York • Washington DC • Los Angeles • Chicago • Houston • Phoenix • Philadelphia United Kingdom
London • Birmingham • Manchester • Liverpool • Glasgow • Edinburgh Canada
Toronto • Ottawa • Monstreal • Calgary Australia
Sydney • Melbourne • Brisbane • canberra Ireland, New Zealand, India

advertisement





Reporter shopping

Reporter shopping

Affordable laptops, notebooks and netbooks
Affordable laptops, notebooks and netbooks
for writing
Digital SLR and compact cameras
Digital SLR and compact cameras
for photographers
Books and e-books about media
Books and e-books about media
for reading
Video drones and flying cameras
Video drones and flying cameras
for pilots
Gimbals for stabilizing video
Gimbals for stabilizing video
for those on the move
Software and apps for creative work
Software and apps for creative work
for nerdy ones
More occasions

advertisement
Read books and e-books

Read books and e-books

Okładka Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man
Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man
Okładka The 40-Day Social Media Fast
The 40-Day Social Media Fast
Okładka Social Media Marketing All-in-One For Dummies
Social Media Marketing All-in-One For Dummies
Okładka Beyond The Feed: A Social Media Success Formula
Beyond The Feed: A Social Media Success Formula
Okładka Trust Me, I`m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Trust Me, I`m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator
Okładka Hate, Inc.: Why Today`s Media Makes Us Despise One Another
Hate, Inc.: Why Today`s Media Makes Us Despise One Another
more books and e-books

Reporterzy.info

More about us

Our tools and services

Contact


© Dwornik.pl Bartłomiej Dwornik 2oo1-2o24