Is Photojournalism Art?

 

    Is photojournalism art ? is a question a lot of people wonder. I think that photojournalism is art because art comes in different forms and different types of art and I think that photojournalism is a part of art because to take a picture that tells so many words and a story in one picture you need to know the composition of the picture and you have to have the creativity to bring that story to live using one picture and I think that the from art. in photojournalism they are principle like : 

• the subject expression
• quality of light
• rule of thirds
• obvious main subject
• the composition of the picture (how cluttered the picture is)
• contrast appropriate
• use of shadows
• background compliments
• use of lines
• depth of field
• exposure
• what feeling does this image create
• does the image remind you of any work of art or photography have you seen?
• is the image black and white or color?

These are examples of photos that follow the principle of photojournalism from different times

Photo by: Unknown

Image source: https://www.shorpy.com/node/9890

Year created: Late 1800s

    I chose this picture because it follows the principle of use of line, background, and composition cluttered. 

Use of line 

    I think that the contrast of the circular lines in the background has a strong contrast to the straight lines of the gun from the main subject. the circular lines make your eyes focus more on the main subject which is holding a straight lines gun in the center of the picture. the contrast in the lines of the picture also makes your eyes travel in a circular motion throughout the picture.

Background

    the background of this picture is very simple and even though the color of the overall image is similar to how simple the background is, it makes the main subject pop out at you. with the corner of the picture being darker than the main subject it makes your eyes focus on the main subject. Even though they are texture in the background it is on the side of the main subject and doesn't take away attention from the main subject it complements it and the middle of the background is empty where the main subject is.

Composition clutter 

    Even though this picture is on the cluttered side with how many people are in this image, how simple the background is makes the image isn't cluttered and on the simple side, the image isn't sharp due to the technology at the time with the slow shutter speed for the light to go into the camera making the picture blurry at the bottom but I think that it helps for the focus of the picture to be in the center where the main subject is.

Why did I choose this image?

    I chose this image because I love the way the photographer framed this picture with the old technology of photography this image still looks good with the composition and the main subject looks clear while the background is blurry.

Photo by:  Consuelo Kanaga (1894-1978)

Image source: https://www.davisart.com/blogs/curators-corner/documentary-photographer-consuelo-kanaga/

Year created: 1950

    I chose this picture because it follows the principle of subject expression, use of shadow, depth of field. 

Expression

  I love this piece because even though you can't really see her face you can tell her emotions and expression by the use of shadow and how her face is framed, her expression with her brows and cheeks being a little distressed really express her emotion without having to move much

Use of shadow

  the use of strong shadows in this image is very clear with all of the shadows being on the right side of the picture, the shadows help enhance the emotion on the lady's face and make the light area of the image pop out and have a strong contrast of the light part of the picture and the darkest part of the picture.

Depth of field

  The background, midground, and back ground of this picture are very clear with the lady being in the foreground the other people being in the midground and the background being the sky giving the picture depth.

Why did I choose this picture?

  I chose this picture because the shadow and the expression on this image work together really well and even though this picture looks simple but if you look more into you can tell that this picture has a story to tell with how everything is framed.

Photo by: Richard Avedon

Image source: https://rebeccaprowler.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/photo-review-dovima-with-elephants-by-richard-avedon/

Year created: 1955

    I chose this picture because it follows the principle of contrast appropriate, texture, and exposure time.

Contrast appropriate

  this image has a strong contrast between the light color lady and the dark elephant on both sides. the image background being a gray middle tone color make the dark and light color pop out in different ways still making the main object of the picture clear on what and who is the focus of this picture. even the black gloves that the lady is wearing contrasting with the dark elephant

Texture

  even with the strong contrast between the 2 objects, the lady and the elephant, they are still a lot of texture in this image. the texture of the elephant skins the texture of the hay on the floor even the texture of the concrete walls where some parts are darker than others. even with the dark elephant the light color makes the texture of the skin pop out and not a flat color for the elephant skin.

Exposure time

  this picture has a fast exposure time because this picture was an in-the-moment shot, where both the lady and the elephant were moving or dancing to the rhythm of the music. if the photographer used a slow exposure time the image would have been blur and not as clear as it is now.

Why did I choose this picture

  I chose this picture because the contrast and the balance of this picture are beautiful, with the light dress m fair skin, black gloves, and the dark skin wlephant with the mid gray for the background. the way the color is used in this picture is beautiful and works well together.