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What I Found Out
In my quest to find myself in relation to photojournalism, I had to define this word and what it meant to be a photojournalist. Webster’s Dictionary may state that photojournalism “presents news through photographs,” but, from my research, I’ve found that to many people, it’s more than just this. “It is the art of taking pictures that will tell a story,“ says Jeremy Jowell, a South-African photojournalist in response to one of my interview prompts. Donald Winslow wrote me the following so poetically I just have to quote it:
Photojournalism is visual truth, not just truth in the conventional sense of the word but also truth in representation and implication…. To be a photojournalist is to be a truthful, honest, an intelligent vehicle of stories. Photojournalism captures the revealing moments, the peak action, the maximum expression of emotion. Photojournalism delivers an understanding of the places and people in the world that we may never get to see and, in some instances, hope to never see in person. Photojournalism provides a tool to visualize our own place in the world, and in culture and in history. Photojournalists bear witness to life.
Being a photojournalist seems to mean more than just being able to take good photographs. I learned from quite a few sources that “photojournalists must also be good writers” (Sedge 3). In a field so competitive it seems one needs every “edge” he or she can over other competing photojournalists. I learned that one won’t succeed in this field with out marketing skills, the ability to market one’s self (Sedge 3). Most people stated they started gaining experience in photojournalism through their yearbook at school, student newspapers, or just shooting their camera around. It seems there are two types of photojournalists, independent/ freelance journalists who do their projects alone then sell their work to any media that might pay the. Another kind of photojournalist could work for a newspaper going wherever they are sent that day.
Though I mostly went to sources which were experienced in the field of photojournalism, thus passionate about the field, there are some comments I collected about the disadvantages of a career in photojournalism (other than my mothers J). I’ve clearly found that a career in photojournalism is a stressful job. One might find oneself always running around and dealing with deadlines and unhelpful people. The career can be very time-consuming between appointments, phone calls, editing, and writing. A photojournalist must have a personality that is trustworthy because they so frequently interact with people in their personal environments. Also, a photojournalist must be patient in working with people and in other situations. I was congruent through most all my research that if one wants to be a photojournalist, one must be convinced, and must have natural talent. One should also have such a passion for photojournalism that ”the journey itself must be the fulfillment” (Donald Winslow). Michael Sedge says it best when he says, “in addition to talent, every photojournalist has a passion for his or her craft. Capturing history, beauty, and aspects that tell a story is, for them, enjoyment, not work.” (Sedge 2). The job can also be wearing on the emotions.
Tragedies, funerals, natural disasters, and wars are not covered apathetically. Stress, irregular and inconsistent income and an atmosphere of strict competition with other photojournalists is almost always disheartening. One might become emotionally discouraged when dealing with editors, who cut out work, refuse to print it, or take advantage of it. There are occasions in which photojournalists are in real physical danger. It is common for a photojournalist to be documenting a dangerous situation or just creating one by being there. The job field for photojournalism is closing, and jobs are cut and salaries lowered. One must have a good portfolio, writing skills, and possibly even be fluent in another language. While most jobs are moving to digital cameras, one sometimes needs knowledge of how to use a dark room. The information I gathered about being a photojournalist and having a family at the same time varied. Some sources said that the two were a fine mix, but most expressed that the demands of the career were too high. Donald Winslow said, “It requires a lot of sacrifice spent away from family and friends.” A great deal of research is required to be put into stories as well as good writing skills and the ability to market oneself well.
I found a good deal of advantages, or what I believed were advantages, in the field of photojournalism. Photojournalism is quite a broad filed with job options from
Time Magazine to Travel magazine, to newspaper, etc. One has the option to explore what they have a passion for. Jeremy Jowell talked about his job as a travel photographer life this, “there's not many jobs where one gets paid to be in nature or up at sunrise and to get paid for doing something you love.” In think it is safe to say that the biggest advantage to photojournalism is the satisfaction of work done well. Paul Amundsen shared his passion when he said that he felt the thrill of the job “the moment when the shutter clicks and I know or fell that I have captures a moment. That’s like a rush in my body.” It is clear that one must be perfectly content with this as a payment or they are likely not cut out for the job. Photojournalists who love their work love working with people. A job in photojournalism can affect people’s lives. Karen Borchers covered a story, which brought in thousands of dollars for an orphanage and needy abandoned children. A photojournalist’s work can point out an area in the community that needs to change or be a voice in the community. Photojournalism allows for creativity to capture moments and convey the emotion, truth and meaning in photos. One might see them as being “documentarians for history” (Donald Winslow). Photojournalism involves a good deal of traveling and widening of horizons. Michael Sedge talked about how his work as a photojournalist was so-so, but how his ability to market himself classified him as a successful photojournalist. Many photojournalists leave their careers as they get older for better paying jobs.
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