DB 12

How has digital technology changed the role of photography in society?

Photography was once seen as a socio-cultural symbol of wealth and status. Technology has made a tremendous improvement to society. It broke those barriers and allowed any one to gain access to a camera that will allow them to take picture. 

Technology has grown and advanced in the field of digital technology that there is no reason why anyone can’t take a great photo. With unlimited features on “point and shoot” cameras, we are now able to instantly take photos, edit, and send them anywhere in the world. This thread can also be seen in the printing process for pictures. We are now so advanced that photos can be printed within minutes. Express printing is so popular, that many people now own printer that have photo printing capability (Mesias). Technology has grown so rapidly that most of us now have cameras built into our mobile phones. The computer has also played a significant role in the aid of digital photography. It helps store information and allows users to move pictures and edit. Needless to say, the every growing technological advancement with computers matches that to digital cameras and the supporting programs that accompany them. The advancing technological development not only defies what photography once stood for, but has liberated this art form.

On a creative and economic standpoint, digital photography has been a breeding ground for new artists, technicians and manufacturers. This technological phenomenon has created many jobs, not only for photographers, but for those in print, or developing camera accessories and printing products for home and professional use. Digital technology has also cut costs down. Chemicals, water and light sources are no longer needed to develop film from traditional cameras.  

 

What has been the impact of digital photography on journalism?

Digital photography has made a great impact to journalism. Some would even say that it has improved journalism as a whole. It has allowed journalists to shoot a variety of pictures, try different techniques and monitor all of it as they work. It has also improved the working conditions of the average journalist. Digital cameras increase the speed fact of how fast digital pictures can be taken, uploaded and emailed to the office. It has allowed them to work on other projects, assignments. This increase in time avoids rushed work or compromised shots that may be taken because of deadlines (Halstead). 

There isn’t a school today that doesn’t use digital photography as a main component or learning tool for aspiring journalists. This is most useful to those professionals as they can instantly review the shot they took, if satisfied, move on to the next shot. Journalists are limited on time, and having the instant satisfaction of knowing that a task is complete is well worth it.

There is a greater freedom or sense of empowerment for most journalists, as they now have more flexibility with their careers and aren’t trapped in the dark room during the finishing stages of an assignment. 

Sources:

1.      Mesias, J (2005) The Impact of Technology in Photography

http://jinmes.wrytestuff.com/swa15144.htm

2.      Halstead, D (2003) The Digital Journalist survey on the impact of digital photography in photojournalism

http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0309/editorial.html

Assignment #1 Part 2

Toronto, Ontario (2009)

The main differences between Art photography and Press Photography are that Art photography gives room or creates a canvas to alter and play with their pictures. They have access to and use modern technology to reformat or change their photos if they wish. Advanced lighting techniques may be applied and calculated ideas are applied.

Contaminated ocean community in BC (2011)

Press photography differs as they looks for the optimal time to take their photos as they cannot alter theirs photos at all. Its the integrity and truthfulness of their works that speaks for itself. They cannot retouch, add, loose or manipulate any ideas or contrasts in their photos. Their job is to communicate a story and portray it in an effective way to the public in a truthful manner (Astropix).

After the floods in Krakow, Poland (2010)

It is ethical to alter Art photographs. It is the artists perspective and interpretation of what they want the viewer to see and experience. It is a degree of reality that can be fun and whimsical, dark and melancholy or whatever mood or emotion the artists wishes to evoke. The whole idea behind art is creative freedom, so why can't it be applied to art photography?

Press photography should not be altered in any form. Their job is to bring news, stories and create awareness from around the world. An inaccurate depiction of  that would be lies, and would cause misconceptions and create uneducated opinions. Many Press photos deal with tragic events, thus, allowing us to see deep into worlds most of us know noting about. An honest depiction of that, taken with dignity and respect is the only way a Press photo should be taken. The invasion of peoples' personal lives and their land is one that should be taken with great respect and always delivered with a realistic, and truthful shot (Photography-schools).

Zakopane, Poland (2010)

References


1. Press Photography
From http://www.astropix.com/HTML/J_DIGIT/ETHICS.HTM
2. Westbrook, D (2007). A Brief History of Photojournalism. Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://www.photography-schools.com/photojournalismhistory.htm

Photojournalism

The role of photojournalism is to tell a story through images. To bring the reader knowledge and information from across the world. Photojournalist have a special gift or craft at capturing moments in time that only few can witness. Often, these moments allow for us to connect, educate and be aware of the news and events happening around us.

There are rules that photojournalists should follow. The pictures they take are used to document real event and should not be altered, other than to enhance the picture quality. Editing photos to incorporate new images or change figures should not be allowed or condoned. This takes away from the reality or truthfulness of the story is being told, and is not fair to the public. Photojournalists should also have a certain set of ethics that they stand by. Keeping in mine that at times they are documenting others' lives and personal stories and must represent them with dignity and respect.

There are similar ethical boundaries that both print journalist and photojournalist face. Although slightly different in work, both journalistic avenues should tell stories and depict life in realistic form. The ethical foundation for each is that they produce work that is accurate, clear, objective and most of all truthful.

Documenting the Great Depression

Why the project has significant impact on the society?

The Great Depression was one of those tragedies left miserable marks in society during 1929 as well as modern day society. Life was extremely difficult when families were struggling to afford basic needs like foods and shelters. The stock price of the New York Stock Exchange plummeted deeply that marked the start of The Great Depression. It became a trigger to the poverty for rest of the world: countless jobs were lost, production plants got shut down, businesses went bankrupt, and families were forced to move to search for job and ended up living out on the street. Until 1939 before the economy got back throughout the World War II, the economy level was dropped in the early 1900s and over 30-percent of total labourers lost their jobs.

A project was developed by the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to document the life of individuals and families who lived in the rural poverty in America, that were affected by the Great Depression and World War II between 1935 and 1944.

About 160,000 taken images were able to capture the everyday lives of the unfortunate citizens. These photographs showed the desperation that had taken over all of society. The epidemic was brought to light and people could no longer ignore the facts surrounding them. Government and social programs were developed to aid the citizen and to help them create a better life for themselves and their children. 

What was the role of the Migrant Mother photograph in the period of great depression and what is it nowadays?

The Migrant Mother photographs are taken by Dorothea Lange, one of the most prominent photographers during this FSA project. The women in the photographs is said to be Florence Owen Thompson and her children

The pictures capture the struggle and hardship that women, especially mothers faced during this time and had to endure to stay alive.  This photo beautifully depicts how motherhood challenges a woman’s endurance and bravery in an effort to feed and provide for their family. It is clear that desperation plays a huge factor in this photo, as it is illustrated through the disheveled face, slim frame, tattered clothing and dirty appearance. The harsh conditions and lifestyle aged her considerably. 

Assignment #2 :Photo Manipulation

Picture #1 (Steveson, BC)

I took this photo inside the home of an early pioneer/settlers home in a small museum community in Steveson British Columbia. Due to the lighting and shading in the shot, I decided that this would make for a really nice black and white photo.  It also reminded me of pictures from text books as child from my Canadian history books and on places I had visited on school trips as a young girl. and of that time period. I wanted to edit the original picture, through the adjustments tab on Adobe Photoshop, I used desaturation; making it black and white. I then used a filter option and added an effect called water paper. Light levels were adjusted and I made the picture slightly darker to enhance the shape/outline of the soap and cloth inside the wash basin. It gave the picture more character and depth, as well as the aging I wanted. 

Before Editing

After Editing

Adobe Photoshop CS2 was used to edit this photo.

Picture #2 (Maple Bay, BC)

I took this photo on an ocean side beach that is rarely used.  I loved the all the elements in this picture, the water, boats, gloomy sky and misty mountains in the background.  I felt that this would be a great picture to alter lighting and attempt to bright life and colour out of the photo. My first step was to balance all of the levels in the photo. I did so by adjusting each colour level separately (RBG, RED, BLUE, and GREEN) to the desired level. I then worked with the hue and saturation of the photo. I modified the picture by increasing saturation until the desired level was achieved and reduced the hue slightly. Once the photo was complete, it had life to it. Clearly defined lines and colour were formed, without taking away from the mood or tone of the photo. As you can see, the photo has more vibrancy, where you can now see the colours on the mountains, in the water and on the boats. 

Before Editing

After Editing

Adobe Photoshop CS2 was used to edit this photo.