My experience as a photojournalist historian

In Inspiration from photojournalist Felice Frankel, for my creative experimental exercise I used my phone camera to take photos of biological and chemical specimens and made them into something interesting. This experience made me feel more connected to photojournalist of the past and present because I realized how much work has to be put in to get a decent photo that tells a truthful story. Through this experience I have gained more respect for the photojournalist who do not alter their photos.

This semester has took me for a roller coaster ride, with all its ups and downs. One of the biggest things about this semester is that I realized that acquiring knowledge is not a choice, but a necessity to get through personal issues. One of the up sides to this semester was learning about photojournalism. I have always been interested in photojournalism but I received an overwhelming load of information that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Photojournalism and its creativity helped soothe difficult times, which I believe it does for many people.

In the beginning of this course I defined photojournalism as a capturing of a story, and I still stand by this definition. I have always said that photojournalist captures stories that connect people emotionally and even intellectually around the world. The stories I have viewed in the images of have evoked emotions out of me that I thought only my family could get out of me. Therefore, I strongly connected to many of the stories told this semester, in which reinforced my definition. A photo is not just a still moment in time, but the capturing of emotions, and events taking place in the past present and the future of that moment, in other words, telling a story.

Knowing the history of photojournalism is just as important as knowing the history of the United States because they both have a heavy impact around the world. Before learning the history of photojournalism, I thought it’s history was only important for those whom were capturing stories. However, little did I know, photojournalism’s history would have a remarkable influence on the future. The history of photojournalism does not only affect photojournalist but people who view their images as well. Knowing the past techniques and reasons why photojournalism came about provides an understanding to how photos are taken today. If viewers did not understand how photos were taken in the past versus today, viewers would not fully connect to the image captured.

I had many moments where I realized things that changed how think and view photos during this semester. However, one of my biggest Ah ha moments came from photojournalism and bias. When I analyzed a classmates photo of what she thought was the not truth, I realized what I believe affects my connections to the stories I view. Haley Pollo’s attention was directed to “Treatment is Effective” sign. However, my attention is directed to the “People Recover” signs. I connected differently to this photo than Haley because of my bias that people will recover with treatment without thinking about people who do not recover with treatment. This “Ah Ha” moment taught me to see all sides to the story captured. Another Ah Ha moment I had when I realized many photojournalist and many of my classmates and I share the same thought process when it comes to motivation. I have always felt like an outcast but when viewing what motivates photojournalist discussion board, what my fellow historian made feel like I fit in

“For a photo to change the world it would have to change the hearts of 7 billion people.” This is what my answer was when asked if a photo can change the world, and I still believe. Anybody can be a photojournalist now-a-days, and ultimately photojournalism is dying because of it. There are numerous photos that are untruthful. How can photojournalism change the world if so many unqualified people can share hundreds of untruthful stories.

What I Learned:

I learned at from fellow historian Ashelly Megit. However, what impacted me the most is when I learned that Jesse Tabox Beals was the first female night photographer and first female photojournalist. 

Courtney welsh posted a photo of a young 15-year-old girl in Haiti following the catastrophic earthquake in 2010 was shot dead in the head by police officers. This was traumatizing for me to learn because I have a friend who was shot in the head by police as well. From her post I learned that police brutality is not only an issue for Americans.

Another thing I learned was posted by historian Niahomy Martinez. She compared and contrasted a photo of color and a photo in black and white. What I learned was black and white creates a dramatic effect on the tone of a photo.