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The line between photojournalist and paparazzi?
Steven Squires, Student/Intern
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Pullman | WA | USA | Posted: 1:38 AM on 01.23.10 |
->> I am a photographer for The Daily Evergreen, Washington State University's student newspaper. I am currently working on a photo story about all of the Haiti relief efforts going on in town. Tonight I attended "Words for Relief", a poetry reading/any way of expressing your concern towards those affected by the Haiti earthquake. Throughout the event there were songs and poems about hope. About helping the common man, and about unity (as the Haitian flag represents). But one event hit me hard. A 14 year old Haitian girl got up to sing a song dedicated to her friends back home. Friends that she has been unable to contact since before the earthquake. Her voice was frail and shook with tears. Halfway through the song she had to stop. She began crying, and her older sister walked her out of the room. The crowd gave her a standing ovation, and I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to get some emotional pictures for my photo story. I followed them out into the hall, but when I found them I could not bring myself to photograph their pain. I felt that I had to give them their privacy, and walked back into the auditorium.
This was my first experience trying to photograph someones grief. Some of the best photos, in my opinion, are those that capture peoples emotions. I believe that seeing others' sadness evokes sympathetic emotions in the readers. My question is this: where, as photojournalists, do we draw the line? At what point do we have to decide to leave people to grieve or to try and get "the shot"? As I watched the young girl crying in the arms of her older sister (and yes it would have made a great shot!) I could not help but put myself in her shoes. I wouldn't want someone with a camera documenting my pain. This brings my next question: What state of mind does one have to be in to try to not be effected by their subjects' emotions? What is your thought process when you are taking pictures of a mother grieving over the death of her child, or a young girl not knowing if her friends are alive? How fine of a line exists between a good photojournalist who captures raw human emotion, and a heartless paparazzi who preys on the pain of his subjects?
Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but it's been on my mind all night.
Thanks guys,
Steven Squires |
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Jay Drowns, Photographer
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Seattle | WA | USA | Posted: 3:08 AM on 01.23.10 |
->> Hi Steven,
It is a fine line you balance between telling the story and not inflicting more pain on those who are grieving. I am sure everyone there for her performance was greatly moved. Hopefully moved to action.
Ask yourself this question. How many more would have been touched by your photograph. Was it a need to show the girl compassion or did you stop short of stepping outside your comfort zone. In the end you have to follow your gut feeling and do what you know is right.
Eddie Adams spoke of an intense moment in a fox hole with a frightened soldier. Eddie stop short of making the photograph because he followed his gut feeling.
If I can find a link to a interview with him I will post it. One clip can be found in the documentary "An Unlikely Weapon".
Thanks for posting your experience. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 8:16 AM on 01.23.10 |
->> Steven,
You asked, "How fine of a line exists between a good photojournalist who captures raw human emotion, and a heartless paparazzi who preys on the pain of his subjects?"
Answers: A HUGE line. It's not even CLOSE to being the same thing. Papparazzi are all vultures. They, lie, cheat, bribe, and trespass in order to stalk and harass celebrities in order to sell (for large sums of money) photos that mean NOTHING. Their photos are self serving and do nothing to help the human condition or bring about a greater understanding of issues or events around the world.
Now, compare that to the work being done by Damn Winter, Melissa Lyttle, Carolyn Cole, and a hundred other well-intentioned photojournalists in Haiti right now.
We take difficult photographs not because we stand to benefit personally from the image (even if we occasionally do) but because someone HAS to take those photos. It's our responsibility. That's the way I approach documenting someone's pain or a sensitive moment; I see it is my responsibility, plain and simple.
In fact, if I look back through my portfolio, the images that are the most painful, the ones that were the hardest to take, were then ones that made the greatest impact with readers. The hard pictures are the ones most likely to affect change, or make a tangible difference or, at the very least, wake somebody up and expose them to an injustice.
Like all my colleagues, I've intruded on a lot of painful moments throughout my career. You'd be surprised how appreciative the subjects of those photographs usually are at your willingness to document the moment.
As far as the scene outside the poetry reading you've described goes. Well, that's a pretty easy one. In fact that scene is exactly the type of moment that affords you the opportunity to become comfortable shooting intimate moments, which down the road in your career, will become much more chaotic and sensitive.
You'll learn, over time, how to document these moments but it's important that you have confidence in your self first. Once you're comfortable with your role and your intentions you'll be able to get that across to the subjects of these types of photos. Often times just your body language or a sincere look on your face as you make eye contact is enough to reassure them of your intentions.
It wont happen for you over night so use these little moments while you're a student as learning experiences, but trust me, once you start to recognize that documenting painful moments is a responsibility you'll carry yourself in a manner that, without any words spoken at all, will let your subjects feel comfortable with your intentions.
Oh, and keep asking questions like these... they're so much more refreshing than hearing yet another student ask yet another question about gear. |
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Steve Ueckert, Photographer
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Houston | TX | | Posted: 8:54 AM on 01.23.10 |
->> Steven--
You describe yourself as a student/intern. You acknowledge you are still learning, growing, as a person and as a photographer.
If I may offer a lesson from one of the masters, a lesson that personally touched me and had a tremendous influence on me during my high school and college years. This video pretty much covers the philosophical points of approaching situations such as with which you had difficulty. Research this master's images and see how he conducted himself in similar situations and what he was able to produce.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc2U7nPwwCo&NR=1)
Don't give up and don't lose hope, keep your eyes and heart open. Above all remain human, paparazzi are vultures.
--Steve |
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David Brooks, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 4:35 PM on 01.23.10 |
| ->> Thanks Steven- That's good. I hadn't seen that before, very thought provoking. |
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David Brooks, Photographer
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San Diego | CA | USA | Posted: 4:41 PM on 01.23.10 |
| ->> Meant Steve U for the clip... |
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Jabin Botsford, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Knoxville | TN | United States | Posted: 1:29 AM on 01.24.10 |
| ->> Thank you Steven and Steve i was just thinking about this same concept today at a memorial service i was shooting. It took me a moment to decide if photographing the families grief would touch others as it was touching those in the room. |
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David A. Cantor, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Steven Squires, Student/Intern
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Pullman | WA | USA | Posted: 8:27 PM on 01.24.10 |
->> Thanks everyone for all your help. Especially thanks to Steven Ueckert for the video link. "If I can contribute a little to the understanding of what others are going through, then there is a reason for doing it." ~Larry Burrows. This was very helpful!
Steven Squires |
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Scott Evans, Photographer
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Bay Village | OH | USA | Posted: 2:37 PM on 01.26.10 |
| ->> I too, wish to say thanks. Steve's link was fantastic and Steven, I've thought about this many times as well. Its certainly a judgment call at the end of the day. I can only reiterate advice given already, be sure you connect with your subjects in whatever way possible. Not only will that help provide you insight into whether you should capture the image but it will ultimately make for a more compelling image. I truly believe viewers can feel when that connection exists. |
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Garry Bryant, Photographer
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Farmington | Ut | USA | Posted: 1:44 AM on 02.03.10 |
| ->> The above comments are excellent! May I add this thought; if in doubt about taking a photo, shoot it, it can always be edited later! |
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