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Assignment 3

Press Photography versus Art Photography

1. Press Photography is synonymous with photojournalism in that its purpose is to tell a news story or event through the use of “moment” pictures – pictures taken of the event at the time it took place. Press photography is used in newspapers and magazines to convey the latest news to readers with the idea being that readers will be able to have a visual representation of what took place. Press photography is supposed to tell stories with their images. On the other hand, art photography is more creative in that it can be used to create photos with the intent of articulating an impression, a feeling, specific emotions and relationships with the world; be it personal or natural. The similarities between the two are that they are both a form of photography and both are used to tell a story of some kind. Press photography tells a story of real life events whereas art photography can tell a story with subliminal meaning. The main difference between press photography and art photography is that press photography is purer in the sense that it captures the moment at hand by taking real life pictures right at moment events take place. Press photography tells the truth because it captured what took place at the time it took place. Art photography is more of a creative expression because it allows the photographer more freedom to capture photos that may be relate to the photographer’s feelings, emotions or expression at that particular juncture. Another difference is the mobility of press photography and art photography. In press photography, the photographer is almost always ready because they carry with them a small camera and notebook to be ready to capture the “moment” at anytime as news is always happening. This is a stark contrast to art photographers who usually carry larger equipment and need more preparation time. This point is corroborated by Andre Kertesz, “I always had a small camera with me on the front line, where I made candid, informal photographs, unlike the official photographers for the War Department. They always came with a huge camera on a tripod after the battle was over to make a scenic photograph that would show the destruction.” (Kertesz, 1985, p. 23).

2. I believe it is ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs because in this form of photography, the photographer is able to exercise his freedom of expression to his satisfaction. Art photography is more of a creative form of photography, so it would be great for photographers to have the ability to alter their photos in order to make the perfect picture. This would be acceptable because the photographer is looking for ways to better enhance the images for the audience, and because the photos need not be factual, it would be a good thing if photographers are able to add value to their photographs by altering those photos through a program, such as Adobe Photoshop.

3. In regards to press photography, I believe it is unethical and unacceptable for press photographers to alter press photographs. The main reason behind this is that press photography is suppose to capture the “moment”, thus implying that the photographs must be factual and tell the truth and real story behind the images. If press photographers are able to alter their press photographs than the story behind the photographs may be fabricated; this would defeat the purpose of press photography as it no longer is telling the real story behind the images. This could be seen as unacceptable because the photographer may manipulate the photos in order to tell a different story for his/her own benefit. Ultimately, it would be unethical and unacceptable because the truth or the real story behind the press photographs would be compromised.

Sources:

https://gbc.blackboard.com/webct/urw/tp0.lc5122011/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct(Cartier-Bresson's Decisive Moment and The World of Photographers and Photojournalist)