Photojournalism Need and Importance

 

Photojournalism Need and Importance

Photojournalism is a form of journalism that involves collection, editing and presentation of photos or images for a newspaper or a broadcast medium. The photos have a story to convey. Just like a pen, a camera is also a tool of mass communication. A photojournalist uses the camera to communicate news or a story, just like a reporter uses his pen to write news for the newspaper or multimedia formats. Unlike a reporter who may cover an incident and its aftermath and ponder before penning down a story, the photojournalist for that matter has to be spontaneous. He has to make swift decisions. Photojournalism as a descriptive term often implies the use of a certain bluntness of style or approach to image making. A photojournalist is different than a photographer clicking photos of a wedding or a fashion show. Even though his genre is similar to other categories of photography such as portraits, documentary etc., photojournalism is a separate discipline in itself. Just like in content, in pictures also there is a category for hard news as well for features. The difference does not lie in the working methods of the photojournalist but it lies in the topicality, meaning and angle at which a picture is shot.

Besides adding value to a news item in the form of an accompanying photograph, photojournalism goes much beyond that. Photojournalism enables the creation of documentary evidence of an event which chronicles it with a series of photographs or a standalone photo that itself is as powerful as a long descriptive story. Unlike a reporter, who may gather information while far from the subject or after an event occurs, the photojournalist makes a decision instantly and carries a camera along, reaches the spot, and shoots, capturing the milieu, scene, and mood of the place in that particular point of time. A photojournalist has a certain bluntness of style or approach to image-making – the image that narrates a story to its readers.

Here are some reasons why photojournalism is important:

  1. Provides visual evidence: Photojournalism captures moments as they happen, providing visual evidence of events that people might not have been aware of otherwise. These photographs can serve as proof of what happened and can be used to inform people about the situation.
  2. Brings attention to important issues: By capturing and sharing images of important issues, such as poverty, war, and social injustice, photojournalism can raise awareness and bring attention to these issues, inspiring action and change.
  3. Enhances storytelling: Images can be powerful tools in storytelling, adding context and emotion to news stories. By including photographs with news articles, journalists can create a more complete and compelling story.
  4. Provides a historical record: Photojournalism documents events, people, and places, providing a historical record for future generations to learn from. Photographs can help us remember important moments and understand the past.
  5. Conveys emotions: Images can convey emotions in a way that words cannot. By capturing the emotions of people in a particular situation, photojournalists can help readers understand the impact of events on the people involved.

In conclusion, photojournalism is an essential part of journalism, providing a visual record of events, raising awareness about important issues, enhancing storytelling, providing a historical record, and conveying emotions. It helps us understand the world and the people in it, and it is a critical tool in holding those in power accountable.

 

Scope of Photojournalism

Photojournalism covers the latest national and international news developments which are of public interest. A good photojournalist will focus on the latest news which is being discussed by the common man. For example, the current cricket tournament series or the announcement of elections etc. which will be of more interest to the reader. A good photojournalist should be objective and honest. He should present the images as they are with no manipulation. In fact a photojournalist knows that real emotions of people are captured when they are relaxed and busy with their daily chores. These candid and perfect moments are captured by the lens and become timeless classics.

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