Is Photojournalism Art?

Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw Photo by Albert Sands Southworth 1850


Subject's expression - The Subject in this photo has a very serious expression. While this was common for photos of the time period, there is more at play here. The subject of the photo is Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw, a respected Massachusetts politician and judge. The expression used in this photo is both the respresentation of the person as well as the position of being Chief Justice. 

Keep it simple - Looking at this photo, there is very little to distract from the main subject. Aside from a possibly posed hand and what appears to be a column on the left side of the frame, Shaw is centered with lighting coming from the right side of the frame with Shaw looking to the left side of the frame causing shadows to cascade the low areas of his face with highlights on promeninent areas.

Feelings - Looking at this, there is a sense of respect and regal coming from this photo. The high collar, wide lapel, hints of a higher class setting with that large column instead of a black sheet back drop, and the drama of light on his face all point to - this person is important. This is reminiscent of presidential paintings of the era, a celebratory photo

I chose this image because while it is representaitive of photos of the time period, there are subtle nuiances that indicated - to me - that there is more to the subject. Without either knowing who the person is or doing some reasearch, looking at the photo, applying the principles, and comparing this photo to a typical photo from the period allows the viewer to draw out more information. 


Dali Atomicus taken by Philippe Halsman 1948


Rule of thirds - The main subject is of center to the left of the frame. The entire photo might seem busy but there is something in every third of the frame in both the borizontal and vertical aspects. This creates a dynamic and balanced photo despite being so busy while maintaing a sense of movement. 

In or Out of Focus - The image is in very sharp focus. This is due to the need to freeze several fast moving elements that are present. This incredible clarity adds to the surreal feeling of the photo. We can see the details of the water, the chair leg, and the shadows 

Abstration - While objects are clearly discernable, the general composition is that of chaos and improbability. It is well known that Dali was a creative surrealist. This photo echos those ideas and invites the viewer to ponder the metaphorical meaning of the photo: is this all about the chaos and creativity? Or is this a mirror of the anxieties of the post World War II/Cold War era? 

I have always admired this photo. It has always sparked feelings of curiosity within me and admittedly it took me years to learn how this photo was taken. I elected to use this photo because it is so dynamic and has many elements that spark curiosity and require a lot of thought - much like his other works. 


"Waiting for the Payout" Photo by Robert Smithies 1972

Use of Lines - The use of vertcal lines is very apparent in this photo. They serve two purposes; the first is to draw the viewers eyes from top to bottom and carefully look at all areas of the image. The second reason the vertical lines are there is to act as a sort of separation. The photo was taken in the UK in 1972, a time when unemployment was very high, the subject was photographed while waiting in the unemployment line and likely felt trapped as this was the only way he may be able to support himself or his family. 

Texture - The glass is smooth in appearance but industrial look, yet is still able to contrast with the subject's face which has a soft and smooth apperance. Through these two contrasts, the humanity of the subject is perserved. We see the enduring human form through a lifeless, cold, and unyeilding barrier. 

Black and White or Color - The lack of color shows the emotional gravity of the situation. The choice to shoot this photo in black and white harkens back to a post war era where many documentary photos were indeed black and white yet captured the human condition of that time. This is similar to those photos, there are no distracting colors, only the person and situation juxtaposed against an industrial setting. 

I selected this photo because I believed it showed the human condition of the period. This was a time where unemployment was at record highs, global markets were suffering, and family providers were having a very difficult time. I believe this photo captured that in a way that didn't show the typical suffering.



 

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