What Motivates Photojournalists?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, motivation is defined by “the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.” This motivation or incentive stimulates an individual to perform or act in a specific way. This differs from one individual to the next depending on their core values and beliefs. With motivation, it moves individuals to achieve goal-oriented tasks.


Here is what motivates me as an individual:

Created by: Courtney Welsh

Motivation can often explain the pathway in terms of occupation that an individual chooses. All people work because it provides something in exchange. Some motives for a specific form of work can be as follows: solely for income, for the love of the work, for personal fulfillment, and/or external factors. It is important to be able to identify the motives behind actions to remain on track of the set goals. Here are a few photojournalists that identify their motivations behind their work:



Alex Webb

Photo By: Alex Webb
Image Source: https://www.widewalls.ch/artist/alex-webb/

Photo By: Alex Webb
Image Source:https://www.dazeddigital.com/photography/article/35120/1/magnums-alex-webb-on-the-power-of-photography

Photojournalist Alex Webb, responds to the question, “what advice would you give young photographers?” by discussing his motivations behind it. He states “photograph because you love doing it because you absolutely have to do it because the chief reward is going to be the process of doing it.” The motive within the photojournalist should be internally driven and revolve around the passion of doing so. He discusses other rewards such as “ recognition, financial remuneration” as minimal and fleeting- meaning they are of short time and will eventually fade. Within photojournalism, the photographer is able to provoke change give a voice to those who are suffering. This same internal drive and need to photograph is also discussed in Gordon Park’s website that states: “Born into poverty and segregation in Kansas in 1912, Parks was drawn to photography as a young man when he saw images of migrant workers published in a magazine. After buying a camera at a pawnshop, he taught himself how to use it and despite his lack of professional training, he found employment with the Farm Security Administration (FSA), which was then chronicling the nation’s social conditions.” Although born into poverty, he never once discussed money or recognition as the route of motivation to document but instead, he connected his self-taught ability and passion behind a camera as “a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs.”

Giles Duley

Photo By: Unknown
Image Source: https://www.billbradshaw.co.uk/blog/giles-duley-one-second-light-exhibition

Photo By: Giles Duley
Image Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/01/syria-disabled-refugees-update-giles-duley-photography

Giles Duley’s conversation with famous war photojournalist Don McCullin discusses their need to photograph people in such horrific events. Giles, who was inspired young by Don McCullin and his ability to not glamorize war and make of a heroic sense of either side, states “I set out not to document the war element but the consequences of war and what happens to civilians. So maybe I start from the point of understanding that you had reached. I learned from that and carried on. In my work, it’s always about that connection with the person’s eyes, or somebody holding hands, those little moments of intimacy, little gestures. That’s my continuation of Don’s work.” The underlying theme in the discussion between Duley and McCullin is capturing raw emotion and displaying it to answer the question “can you change the world with your photograph” and Duley’s respond is “I would say, no, but maybe we can inspire the people who do. Much like photojournalist Ed Kashi who states “is to tell visual stories that not only inform viewers but also inspire them to find ‘activist solutions to social problems."’ Kashi and Duley share common motives to create awareness and seek out change for those that suffer by documenting harsh environments all over the world. 

Susan Meiselas
 

Photo By: Unknown
Image Source: https://www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/people/susan-meiselas

Photo By: Susan Meiselas
Image Source: https://www.susanmeiselas.com/

Susan Meiselas, a photojournalist that has covered a variety of topics ranging from Central Africa’s conflict, human rights issues, and sex trafficking. In the interview held by Sarah Stacke, it is discussed that Meisela’s photography “has broken through glass ceilings, paving the way for other women. She’s also consistently made space for women’s voices to be heard through her work.” It is added that Meisela’s work help “‘show a fascination with women who trespass boundaries of convention and acceptability.’” and "’It is particularly timely now to look at these women—and Meiselas herself, for that matter—and learn from their struggles for autonomy, self-determination, and respect."’ Meiselas discusses that she held many fewer opportunities and education that most emerging photojournalists have now. This disadvantage did not hold her back because she advocated for herself and did as what she believed in. Meiselas states, “The issue at heart about success is finding your own path and surviving, that’s the bottom line, realizing the interior landmarks of success. My work wasn’t collected by a major institution until the last few years.” Similarly to Susan Meiselas, Xyza Cruz Bacani from the Philippines moved to Hong Kong to work as a maid. Upon her day off, she began taking pictures and now years later recently received a fellowship to pursue photojournalism in New York with Magnum. Although her work as a photojournalist has gotten major recognition- she still works 6 days a week and photographs during her one day off.


In comparing and contrasting the motives of the three listed photojournalists and myself there are a few similar and different points in why we chose the profession that we did. I discussed that I chose the profession in nursing because of the need to help people, I am passionate about it, and I possess a caring nature within myself. These three were also discussed above by each of these photojournalists by providing a voice for those that they document and by providing awareness to society in order to provoke societal change.  One major difference I can point out from my motivation map and what they discussed is job security. Many of these photojournalists have to work extremely hard for the photographs and they are not guaranteed their work to be published or utilized. Although it is extremely rewarding when it does, it is not necessarily listed as their motivations because of it. 

Photojournalism and Bias

  Photograph By: Ed Clark

Image Source: http://www.historybyzim.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/FDR-Funeral-Musician.jpg

Year Created: April 13, 1945

Without looking into the context of which this photograph was taken, it can be seen that this individual has clearly endeavored some overwhelming emotions meanwhile playing the accordion. Whether the emotions allude to a positive or negative experience is difficult to understand without background knowledge. His uniform suggests that he is an officer of some sort that is playing for a white audience who appears annoyed. Without even looking in-depth on what the context of this photo is there is a valuable lesson to be learned as mentioned by Patrick Kiger in his interview with Betty Lane, "these photographs often take hold of our hearts and reach us on a more primal emotional level".In reality, the image depicts Graham Jackson- a Chief Petty Officer (USN), as President Franklin D. Roosevelt's flag-draped funeral train leaves Warm Springs, Ga. in 1945. President Roosevelt’s presidency addressed many civil rights movements that have led us to what our society consists of today. 

Black and White: This image was taken in the mid-1900’s and color film technology was invented but not exactly executed everywhere. However, the black white and grey tones allude to the overall emotion and may have deterred the viewer’s attention from the emotion displayed on the Officer’s face.

Background compliments: In this case, I believe the background does an excellent job to compliment the picture. In capturing the look on the women’s face it helps demonstrate the common beliefs at that time- some agreed and some disagreed. It also offsets the amount of darkness in the photograph from an aesthetic point of view.

Emotion: There is an immense amount of emotion that is displayed in this image. It comes from the gentlemen who is clearly the main subject who displays sadness and respect. It also comes from the audience who some are also saddened and others confused or annoyed.


Image A: Truth

  

Photograph By: Laurent Baheux

Image Source: https://fineartphotoawards.com/winners-gallery/fapa-2014/professional/wildlife-animals/hm/807

Year Created: 2002

Abstraction: The two patterns of the zebras combined in this image has such a positive impaction in the image that it almost seems abstract. It looks as though it would be difficult in nature to see this remade and has occurred unnaturally.

Use of lines: The use of lines within this image is astounding. It is unsure that the subject matter was not manipulated in some sort of way because the curvatures and lines on the zebras are perfectly placed. It looks as though they are unified.

Keeping it simple: The only thing really depicted in this image is the two zebras. It helps focus the attention of the view to the zebras themselves and is rather simple in means of the subject matter. However, it seems as though it would be a difficult photograph to capture. 

Why This Image? Photojournalism often holds subject matter that can be depressing and deep but sometimes people need to be reminded of the beauty that life holds. There are a ton of animal cruelty cases throughout the world but it is appreciated to see animals succeeding in their natural habitat rather than being locked into horrific conditions.


Image B: Does not illustrate Truth

Photography By: Britta Jaschinski

Image Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-top-shots-2015/8/

Year Created: 2015

Britta Jaschinski won the “ Wildlife Photojournalist Award” for this image reported by CBS news. The images may illustrate how the wild cats are cooperating in the performance rehearsal but it does not depict exactly the maltreatment that this wild animal endures. In Professor Nordell’s video titled Photojournalism and Bias - Part 1 he states “one person can look at a picture and think it is bad, and another person can be looking at the same photo and have a completely different opinion on it, and that shows a good example of bias in photography." Which I do believe to be true. Jaschinski states that her reasoning for taking this picture is to illustrate the cruelty however, I don’t think that I receive that from this image. If anything, following around the performers and documenting them may help boost their confidence.

Use of Shadows: The use of shadows is prevalent in this image. By using these shadows the photographer was able to capture the eye of the audience and drag them into the 3 subject matters. It also deems the people running the “entertainment” irrelevant because they are off to the side in the shadows.

Texture: The texture in the image is a lot of cement and fence. To me, I get a sense of a cold and dingy containment center. It is not very warm and inviting.

Focused: This image is completely focused and in tune with the subject matter- the cats. As I mentioned, it seems as those the men in the image are irrelevant. The photo is very clear and allows the audience to focus in on details.


Why This Image?: I feel really strongly about animal rights and support reform in animal captivity. I feel as though it is extremely important to illustrate to the public what the living conditions are and scientifically show the quality of life improvement in these animals in their natural habitats. It is difficult for me to get this out of this image because it seems as if the cats are cooperating and I think that it should emphasize their situations outside of their acts.

Ethics of Photojournalism

Ethics Map

Above is an image of what I personally grouped to make up who I strive to be and highlighting key values that I attribute to a well-rounded individual of the society. These features that make up my “ethics map” include six key features: honesty, loyalty, respect, family, generosity, and responsibility. Next to these six major categories that I grouped together, I used a few words that I believe what it means to demonstrate these values. I do not believe that there is anyone quite that can truely operate under these features without violating them in some way or another but I do believe they can be a great example of what they can strive to possess. 

                   
Professor Nordell refers to the dictionary’s definition as, “a theory or system of moral values” or in relevance to photojournalism “the principles of conduct governing an individual or group”. In photojournalism, there has been a set code of ethics of which photojournalists must follow and incorporate in their works. These codes of ethics are put into place to “promote the highest quality in all forms of visual journalism and to strengthen public confidence in the profession. It is also meant to serve as an educational tool both for those who practice and for those who appreciate photojournalism,” set forth by the National Press Photographers Association. For the most part, many are aware of the consequences of ignoring the ethical boundaries and make sure to respect them but there absolutely are some individuals in the past that have violated them. An example of this occurred in the case of Fabienne Cherisma.

Image By: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

Image By: Paul Hansen

Image By: Nathan Weber

Young 15-year-old, Haitian following the catastrophic earthquake in 2010 was shot dead in the head by police officers for being caught stealing two plastic chairs and three framed pictures. In one picture shot by Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters, the young girl had been lying there dead, on top of the loot of pictures she had stolen, not chairs to be found and her pockets had been picked through. When comparing it to a photograph taken by Nathan Weber that took the image to convey a different message of the greed of the photographers there are a few ethics that are violated. Immediately one ethical dilemma that comes to mind is, “treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime or tragedy.” This unfortunate circumstance that led to the death of the young girl was taken advantage of by multiple photographers. It was said that she was shot not even 15 minutes before she was surrounded. Two other ethics that were violated were, “be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects” and “resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.” When looking closely at the three photographs there is evidence that suggests that the young girl’s body had been moved and staged to make a better image. In Carlos Garcia Rawlin’s image, it is apparent that Fabienne’s arm was positioned differently while showing an image of a flower when compared to the shot by Paul Hansen and also her head was positioned to enhance the photo.

Not only do these violate these aspects of the National Press Photographers Association’s code of ethics, but there are also many parts of this that do not match my “ethics map”. As I pointed out the 6 key concepts that I believe make up a good citizen, many of which were violated in this situation. Honesty- the photographer that manipulated the body of the young girl. Respect- that again, was violated when they swarmed the young girl immediately and disturbed the “resting peace”. Family- which was violated because that young girl is, in fact, the daughter, sister, granddaughter of individuals that were also impacted and by documenting the gruesomeness of her death they were reminded of the pain that the poor girl endeavored.