The News in Photos

Photojournalism is a niche in photography like no other genre of the craft.

Many times a photojournalist has to put their lives in perilous predicaments to get that front-page feature image.

When folks view an image on the front page of a newspaper, it should be able to relate the basis for the storyline in the article. A photojournalist will be in the line of fire when they are expected to capture thrilling, action packed, and insightful images to set the senses of the viewer on fire.

The history of the photojournalistic image dates to the Crimean War {1853/1856} and to the first photojournalist Carl Szathmari.

European Royals viewed his war images in their homes, only a few of them have survived.

Photojournalists such as Alexander Gardner, Matthew Brady, and other photographers captured images of battles during the American Civil War.

Photojournalistic ethics must enter the discussion at this point. Alexander Gardner had no ethics when it came to sensationalizing an image. He moved a soldier’s body while shooting images at the aftermath of the famous Battle of Gettysburg to appear as though the dead soldier was a sniper at Devil’s Den. It took 98 years for his unethical behavior to come to the light of day.

In the niche of photojournalism an image must be above all reproach or the credibility of the story is lost. A photojournalistic image has to be timely, objective, and show a storyline that relates to the event.

Henri Cartier-Bresson, the grandfather of photojournalism along with his contemporaries founded Magnum Photos.

Cartier-Bresson stated, "Magnum is a community of thought, a shared human quality, a curiosity about what is going on in the world, a respect for what is going on and a desire to transcribe it visually."

"I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets!"

Napoleon