Photojournalism History and The Great Depression

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Questions and Answers

What distinguishes photojournalism from other types of commercial photography?

  • It relies heavily on artistic interpretation.
  • It aims to document real stories with journalistic integrity. (correct)
  • It focuses mainly on posed pictures.
  • It includes extensive written articles to support the visuals.

Which camera was used for the first official attempts at war photography?

  • Polaroid camera
  • Digital SLR camera
  • Box Camera (correct)
  • 35mm Leica camera

What technological advancement marked the beginning of the 'golden age of photojournalism'?

  • The use of larger film formats.
  • The development of digital cameras.
  • The invention of color photography.
  • The introduction of the 35mm Leica camera. (correct)

During what time period did the 'golden age of photojournalism' occur?

<p>1930s to 1960s (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the development of 35mm cameras impact photojournalism?

<p>It allowed photojournalists to easily capture candid moments. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do photojournalists play in society?

<p>They are vital for maintaining an informed society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What limitation did the Box Camera present to early photographers like Gilbert Elliott?

<p>It required long exposure times, limiting choice of images. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about photojournalism?

<p>It can effectively tell a story through visuals alone. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of Walker Evans's photography?

<p>Documenting the lives of ordinary people (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which photograph is Dorothea Lange most famous for?

<p>The migrant mother (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant role did Gordon Parks hold in the field of photojournalism?

<p>The first African American photojournalist (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What change in media consumption occurred with the announcement from Life magazine in 1972?

<p>Photojournalism increased on the internet (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How was photojournalism viewed in comparison to traditional print after the 1972 announcement?

<p>Photojournalism remained impactful in various formats (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a primary source of sustenance for the subjects in Lange's famous photograph?

<p>Frozen vegetables and killed birds (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did Lifemagazine play in the evolution of photojournalism?

<p>It became the most famous magazine for photojournalism coverage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect did the photographs from the Great Depression fail to represent fully?

<p>The names and histories of the subjects (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one major criticism of citizen journalism?

<p>It can suffer from a lack of objectivity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How has citizen journalism affected the amount of time spent viewing photos?

<p>There is an increase in the number of photos taken, but less time viewing them. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates visual storytellers from traditional photojournalists?

<p>Visual storytellers explore less common topics and are more artistic. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why do major news outlets utilize citizen journalism?

<p>To obtain real-time footage from various locations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can negatively impact the quality of images captured by citizen journalists?

<p>Restrictions preventing citizen journalists from certain venues. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the future of photojournalism in relation to social media?

<p>Great photojournalists will continue to gain recognition regardless of abundance. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What potential advantage does citizen journalism have over professional journalism?

<p>It may capture spontaneous events that professionals miss. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of citizen journalism is often concerning to experts?

<p>The overall quality and substance of the photos. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is Photojournalism?

Photojournalism documents real events in the most authentic way with journalistic integrity. It is a form of visual storytelling, distinct from artistic photography.

Why is Photojournalism important for democracy?

Photojournalism is a crucial part of democracy by keeping citizens informed about significant events.

What was the early technology of photojournalism?

The Box Camera, used in the Crimean and Civil Wars, allowed for early war photography. Its limitations included long exposure times and bulky size.

What led to the 'Golden Age' of photojournalism?

The 35mm Leica camera, combined with flash bulbs, revolutionized photojournalism from the 1930s to 1960s.

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What characterized the 'Golden Age' of photojournalism?

The 'Golden Age' of photojournalism saw a surge in photojournalism as a powerful and common way to share news worldwide.

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How did new technology impact photojournalism?

The smaller and more portable 35mm cameras allowed photojournalists to capture events in a wider range of situations.

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What advantages did the new technology offer?

The 35mm cameras' portability and flash bulbs' ability to capture images in low light allowed photojournalists to be more flexible and less limited by environment.

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How did technology contribute to the 'Golden Age' of photojournalism?

The 'Golden Age' of photojournalism saw significant advancements in photojournalism due to technological improvements.

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The Great Depression

A period of severe economic depression in the 1930s that led to widespread poverty and unemployment.

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Photojournalists during the Great Depression

Photographers who documented the lives of ordinary people during the Great Depression. They captured the real struggles and hardships faced by many Americans.

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Migrant Mother

A famous photograph by Dorothea Lange depicting a struggling mother and her children during the Great Depression, symbolizing the poverty and hardship faced by many Americans.

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Documentary Photography

This style of photography focuses on capturing the lives of ordinary people in their everyday environments, often depicting their struggles and hardships.

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The rise of online photojournalism

The shift from traditional print media to online platforms as the primary way people consume news and information. The internet has become a significant force in news dissemination.

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Photojournalism in the modern age

Photojournalism remains relevant in the digital age, continuing to provide visual documentation of current events and social issues.

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Life Magazine

A magazine that played a pivotal role in popularizing photojournalism by showcasing powerful photographs that documented events around the world.

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Importance of Photojournalism

Photojournalism is a crucial tool for conveying information and raising awareness about social and political issues.

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What is citizen journalism?

Non-professional photographers who capture newsworthy events, often using mobile devices.

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What is a challenge of citizen journalism?

Citizen journalists may lack objectivity, especially if they are involved in the events they report.

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What is another challenge of citizen journalism?

The quality of citizen journalism can be inconsistent due to the various skill levels and equipment used.

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How does citizen journalism contribute to image overload?

Due to the wide availability of cameras, we are bombarded with images, making it harder to focus on the most impactful ones.

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What is the value of professional photojournalism?

Despite the abundance of images, skilled photojournalists continue to stand out with impactful and artistic work.

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Who are visual storytellers?

A newer type of photojournalist using digital technology to create innovative, often artistic, images.

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What do visual storytellers focus on?

Visual storytellers often explore less conventional and often more personal themes.

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What tools do visual storytellers utilize?

Visual storytellers use digital media to reach wider audiences and experiment with visual aesthetics.

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Study Notes

Photojournalism History

  • Photojournalism is an important part of informed society, documenting real stories authentically.
  • Photojournalists report, not create art, though artistry is often present in photos' composition.
  • Photojournalism is a visual form of journalism, often supporting, but not requiring text, to convey a story.
  • Early photojournalism used box cameras, notably during the Crimean and American Civil Wars, mostly for stationary subjects, due to long exposure times. Matthew Brady used box cameras.
  • The 35mm camera era (1930s-1960s) marked a golden age, easily portable for more documentary shots.
  • The introduction of the Leica camera and flashbulbs enabled a more mobile and widespread style of photojournalism.

The Great Depression

  • The Great Depression led photographers to document the era's poverty and hardship.
  • These photographs, while not news stories, provide a powerful visual record of real human struggles.
  • Walker Evans documented daily lives with a focus on ordinary people, showing everyday environments and issues.
  • Dorothea Lange's "Migrant Mother" is a renowned image of hardship during Depression-era hardship.

Modern-Day Photojournalism

  • Photojournalism remains a vital presence despite the rise of the internet and online news.
  • Visual documentation of current events is important for visual storytelling.
  • Printed photo magazines like Life, Sports Illustrated, and Paris Match were influential in photojournalism's popularity.
  • Modern photojournalists use diverse platforms such as websites and social media to publish their work.
  • People now expect visual documentation in news and other media.

Citizen Journalism

  • Citizen journalism has increased with the widespread availability of cameras (including smartphones).
  • Ordinary people capturing important events is now a factor in news reporting, using their own cameras.
  • There are concerns about objectivity and quality when relying on citizen journalists' contributions.
  • The speed of citizen journalism is useful in quick coverage of events but lacks proper screening/review by experts.

The Future of Photojournalism

  • The rise of citizen journalism has led to a surplus of photos.
  • Photojournalism's importance is still clear, with great photojournalists being seen as distinctive.
  • Visual storytellers are increasingly employing new artistic approaches.
  • Professionals and traditional approaches are still essential to convey accurate and trusted information.
  • Access to certain events is still limited to trained professionals, especially because of the technical demands of documentation.

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