Press photography is a type of photography that is known for it “timeliness, accuracy, fair representation of the context of events and facts reported, and accountability to the public” (Westbrook, 2007). The purpose of press photography is to indicate to the public the true meaning of an event, in an accurate representation (Westbrook, 2007). If we take a closer look at the example of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games photos by Adrian Wyld and Daniel Mallard, it is possible to apply the meaning of press photography to these two photographs. These photographs are a direct and accurate representation of the gold medal won during this hockey game. Mallard and Wyld use their techniques to create a scene that becomes part of our history that allow a society to stay connected (Westbrook, 2007), which in a sense is what I believe press photography intends. Press photography can create a glimpse of the past for a society (Westbrook, 2007). It brings back memories and feelings that were evoked during that given event, which is quite true of any press photograph, in my opinion.
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| The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld http://sports.ca.msn.com/cfl/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=22716477&page=9 |
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| QMI Agency/Daniel Mallard http://www.lfpress.com/sports/othersports/2010/12/22/16660456.html |
Art photography on the
other hand is quite different that press photography. Art photography captures
images in an artistic way, that does not necessarily rely on the realities of
the moment, like press photography. This type of photography can be seen
through the works of Andre Kertesz and Henri Cartier-Bresson, although they are
considered photojournalists. Their photographs both attempt to create images
where scenes seem rather natural and un-put together. Art photographs showcase
scenes that capture a still moment where the photographer is “invisible” (Week
10 lecture slide 4). As Kertesz states, he wished images to be candid in a
sense (Week 10 lecture slide 5), which creates a more artistic look to the
photograph. When looking at the images of Sandy Skoglund, it is quite event to see a rather similar notion. In
Skoglund’s photographs, the scenes created look almost dream-like. However,
unlike other art photographers, Skoglund creates these images herself by
building the set and filling in the actors (No author, 2010). These images seem
naturally created and surreal, although artistically elaborate in the detail
put into it (No author, 2010). Skoglund adds her on personal touch to the art
photographs by using high contrasting colours in her scenes (No author, 2010).
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| Sandy Skoglund http://digphotoblog.org/2010/12/sandy-skoglund/ |
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| Sandy Skoglund http://digphotoblog.org/2010/12/sandy-skoglund/ |
Press and art photographs are not meant to be
altered in any way, shape or form, due to its accuracy of the event in which it
represents (Westbrook, 2007). With that said it is unacceptable and very
unethical to alter a photograph, which takes away the meaning of the photos
they represent. Since these photographs are a true visual image of the
realities that occur in our society, they should not be altered. Altering the
image creates a dishonest and bias response to an event that has taken place. Altering
photographs, whether art or press, hinders what the photographer was truly
attempting their photograph to mean and the symbolisms behind the images
depicted. An excellent example of this is shown through the work of Alexander
Rodchenko. Rodchenko’s photographs depicted events of those in the Soviet Union
in the 1920s and 1930s (Museum of Modern Art, 1998). Rodchenko’s photos were
accused of plagiarism in the late 1920s for his work that showed the true
realities of the political worlds, which was a true reality of the time (MoMA,
1998). His work was embraced by those in the western world for its imperialism
and truthfulness that it indicates (MoMA, 1998). With this said, a constant
question arise as to why someone would want to recreate a photography that
captures the true realities of the era? Overall, images should never be
altered. Alterations of photos take away the meaning of the reality of photos
they showcase and the artistic notions they represent.
References
Museum
of Modern Art. (1998). Photojournalism. Retrieved from http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/1998/rodchenko/texts/photojournalism.html
No
author. (2010). Sandy skoglund digital photography blog. Retrieved from http://digphotoblog.org/2010/12/sandy-skoglund/
Westbrook,
D. (2007). A brief history of photojournalism. Retrieved from http://www.photography-schools.com/photojournalismhistory.htm
Week 10 Lecture Slides (Blackboard)
