Photojournalism:

Photojournalism is an art of communicating information about events and news which are topical and therefore immediate. Photographers use photographs as a medium of communication and for telling stories about events and happenings.
To understand more what photojournalism exactly is we need to look on certain examples.

Phan Thi Kim Phuc screams in pain after her home is struck by napalm by Nick Ut/AP

NickUt took a photograph which shook the world. He shot a photo of a little girl running down a road in Vietnam, naked and burned by a napalm attack. The images in a photojournalism piece may or may not be accompanied with explanatory text.
The very basic difference between photography and photojournalism is that photojournalism may not be aesthetically very strong here the news value and information is most important, but in photography aesthetics and composition are the first priority.
Immediacy and spontaneity are few of the most important aspect of photojournalist, as it is important in any other medium of journalism. Photojournalism distinguishes itself from other fields of photography by its adherence to the principles of journalism i.e. timeliness, accuracy, fair representation of the context of events and facts reported and accountability to the society. Earlier it was a little difficult task to be spontaneous and immediate but advancement of technology has made it easier.
“As photojournalists we supply information to a world that is overwhelmed with preoccupations and full of people who need the company of image. We pass judgment on what we see, and this involves an enormous responsibility.” Henri Bresson Cartier
Evolution of Photojournalism:
Photojournalism is one of the oldest forms of journalism. Photojournalism emerged as a separate field of journalism with the emergence of technology. During the Crimean war in 19th century, photographers used box camera to shoot the British soldiers in the field. The introduction of 35mm leica camera in the 1930s made it possible for the photojournalists to be immediate and spontaneous because of its mobility.
Earlier photography was not that popular, it was only limited to the elites of the society. The newspapers used to publish the portraits of politicians and important people. The images at that time were not of that quality. The images were black and grey.
Since the process of developing and making the photograph was very slow hence, covering spot news was almost impossible. It took weeks and several days to process a photograph. Altering these photographs was gigantic, as they were engraved on wooden blocks and were not reproducible.
But in the 19th century with development of technology photography and photojournalism revived itself. The invention of half tone process not only helped in avoiding the delay of going through a lengthy process of developing the photo but also improved the quality of image. New York Graphics for the first time used the half tone print in early 1900’s.
With more inventions and improvement in technology, there has been a boom in images relevant as a source of news.
Impact of Photojournalism:
Journalism as whole is a kind of profession which play a role in forming people’s opinion and attitude regarding any issue or event. Photojournalism is no different.
Comparing it with the previous times then off course it is easily accessible to masses. Photographs provide a proof and increases authenticity of the report and on the other hand add credibility. They provide a clear and direct portrayal of an issue. Genuinely speaking photojournalism is the act of telling truth to the world but off course through photographs.
Photographs are a wonderful medium to sensitise people on various issues like Destruction, demolition, flood, drought, war etc. For example, Lucian Perkins helped people to know about the war and condition of children on the war field. His famous photograph “the last survivor” shaped opinion of many on the conflict issues. The worst part is now a day’s few Indian Newspapers have changed the meaning of photojournalism. One can very often see colourful pictures of the celebrities and big personalities partying somewhere.
Those photos are being altered and manipulated in order to make them attractive. But still photojournalism has still not lost its relevance. In fact with the mushrooming of Newspapers, Magazines and websites photojournalism is and will be alive always. Because there are few who still believe in the principles of journalism, journalism of truth and journalism of courage.

Syed Saiam Hasan Bibliography:
Photojournalism by
Bala Rangnathan
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