The new reality or fiction: Contemporary photography

Alterations are not allowed in press photography, but they are one of the tools used in contemporary art photography? Why?

It is unethical of photojournalist to edit or alter his or her photo; but, on art photography editing and altering photo is ethical and acceptable. Because art photography is created through creativity and it also promoted with various aesthetics approach. So in order to be creative for the sake of art, artists can edit and alter their photos. They can use other medium and tools to help them enhance and express their perception to share it with others. It is also one way for the artists to express themselves in a limitless ways!

Compare photographs of Sommer, Adams and Klett versus Parkeharrison, Muniz and Crewdson. What happened to the photography? Is this its future?

by: Robert Adam

by: Frederick Sommer

by: Mark Klett

Shana Parkeharrison

by: Vik Muniz

by: Gregory Crewdson

The works of Sommer, Adams and Klett are more like press photography. Their theme was black and white and they did not edit or alter their photos. while Parkeharrison, Muniz and Crewdson is more like art photography. There photos were obviously edited and it looks so beautiful because of its colourful theme. 

In my opinion, art photography is now the modern way of expressing art through photos. And nowadays, readers gets attracted to colourful, creative and artsy images. Which I think is because of the evolution of photography.

Reference:

Icevska, Gordana. "Week 13 Readings." Weblog post. Photography Shooting the Truth. George Brown College, 9 Jan. 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2012

Can ART be mechanically reproduced?

When something is reproduced for so many times is that art? What's the importance of the mechanical reproducibility of the art? What was the impact on mechanical reproducibility on the society?

If an image was reproduced so many times, it is not called as an art. Because it loses it’s uniqueness, value and respect for photographers who took it. But if it’s with the signature of the photographer, then it is okay to be copyrighted. Its just a way of saying that you respect their rights.
Is photography art, or contribution to the art? Is it just a tool used by artists?

Mechanical Reproducibility is important because it will bring art closer to people and make art more unique and artistic. It makes art more available and it also created new types of image. The importance of art in society has shifted over time. Mechanical reproduction reflects all the reality of society. 

How and why Henry Pitch Robinson created Feading Away? What was the reason?

Henry Pitch Robinson's
Fading Away

Photography is a form of art, if it is done creatively, uniquely and artistically. Artists uses different kinds of art and medium like positions, lightings and effects to have a beautiful outcome of an image. 

Henry Pitch Robinson’s Fading Away (1858) was made by combining five negatives together which formed one picture. In the image it shows the peaceful death of a young girl surrounded by her grieving family. The reason behind this image is that Robinsons wants to share the truth of what was the family’s going through when they loses their loved one.

Photography has impacted the world of art and influenced some changes in the area of accessibility to art. If mechanical reproduction created revolution, what is happening now with the digitalization?

Digitalization impacts how the industry uses the medium and how consumers gather information. It is one way of how people can see and share art through modern technology.




Reference:

http://www.museumsyndicate.com/item.php?item=5446

The impact of digital technology on Photography

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

Digital technology plays a big role in photography. The advancement of technology really changed the role of photography in the society. It makes it easier for us to capture, store and review photos. For example the Digital Camera have a lot of advantages, first, it allows us to take a photo and review it instantly to see if it has turned out the way we like it. If it has not, we can adjust the camera settings and re-shoot the image to ensure we get the photograph we want. Second, we can transfer the image to a computer and easily resize it, adjust colour and brightness, and then print them at the size we want. Then we can take the same picture and e-mail to a friend or post it on Facebook or save it to USB. It is one way to instantly share photographs with anyone and anywhere that makes digital photography so attractive.

What has been the impact of digital photography on journalism?

Iphone 4 camera quality

Modern audio recorder

Modern DSLR

Digital technology has been a big impact in journalism. Though photojournalists cannot edit or alter their photos through the use of the advancement of the technology, it’s still gives them benefits. For example, having a Digital cameras, digital phones/smartphones, audio recorders, and computers have become cheap enough, light enough, and easy enough for journalists to use in the field. It helps journalists get the news out to the readers faster than ever. Furthermore, it also helps journalist to upload news or article whenever or wherever they are, through the Internet (Facebook, Tumblr or Twitter). In short, Digital Technology has a big impact on Photography. It makes it for the photojournalists to capture image easier, faster and more convenient.


Reference:
Photos from:
http://www.google.ca

Virtual Essay

Phil Borge's Photographic Projects.

Phil Borges is a social documentary photographer and filmmaker. He was born in 1942. He studied dentistry and became a successful orthodontist. After college he travelled and explored exotic places. Then at the age of 45 he set off on a heroic mission, which he has pursued to this day. in 1980, he abandoned his dentistry practice to pursue his first love, photography. For the past 25 years His travel background was surely an influence as he journeyed to Asia, Africa and South America. Also, he has traveled to the farthest reaches of the globe to meet with persecuted Tibetan monks engaged in nonviolent struggle and embattled tribes people. Borge’s portraits have been the subject f over 80 museums and also gallery exhibits worldwide and is included in numerous museum and private collections. He also published a lot of winning books (Enduring Spirit, The Gift, Women Empowered, Tibetan Portrait and Tibet Culture On The Edge) in four languages. In 1998 he was presented the Photo Media Magazine "Photoperson of the Year" award. In December 2003 Phil was honored with the Humanitarian Award, receiving the Lucie at the 1st Annual International Photography Awards. In 2005 he was named a Giraffe Hero for his humanitarian work. Phil teaches and lectures internationally and is co-founder of Blue Earth Alliance, a 501c3 that sponsors photographic projects focusing on endangered cultures and threatened environments.

         His images tap deeply into the human spirit of his subjects. He documents his subjects and his tribulations with dignity, indigenous and tribal cultures around the world. He endeavors to create a heightened understanding of issues faced by people in the developing world through his exhibits, books and multimedia projects. His subjects range from Tibetans marginalized by the Chinese occupation of their homeland, to the drought-stricken tribes people of East-Africa. Through all his works he strives to promote cultural diversity. 

Here are some of Phil Borge's images that I really like the most. 

          The images below are all about indigenous and tribal cultures around the world. His signatures are style of black and white portraits with the subjects skin selectively toned and his works has been called a balance of intense empathy and clean, clear craft. 

North America

Junelle, 17

Lewiston, Idaho

Junelle is a traditional and fancy Powwow dancer. The powwow is like a giant family reunion; it’s very communal and sacred in Nez Perce Tribe. 

Philippines

Laya, 81

Banaue, Philippines

Laya is a powerful Monbaki (shaman) in a mountain tribe called the Ifugao. He brings an offering to Tofong -- a forest spirit, to treat ill person.

TIbet

Botok 76, Tsangpa 78

Settlement Camp #1, Ladakh, India

Botok and Tsangpa were classified as wealthy by the Communist authorities in 1962. They were threatened with imprisonment because they owned almost 1,000 sheep and goats. 

Ecuador

Transito, 91

Cayambe, Ecuador

In her country, Transito is a famous human rights symbol; she is the "Rosa Parks of Ecuador." After the conquest by the Spanish, the indigenous people were all but stripped of their culture and forced to serve as indentured servants in the hacienda system.

Cambodia 

This image 'Three Monks' is not Black and White, This is Phil Borges' only published color photograph.

Chhop 33, Sour 60, Some 30

Angkor Wat (Temple),Cambodia

Tibetan monks; Chhop, Some, and Sour live in the Preas Entap Pagoda which is very close to the abandoned temple of Ta Prohm in Angkor Wat. After their morning meditation they frequently visit the temple before the tourists begin arriving. 

Why Phil Borge?

I chose Phil Borge because I really like his works; he is a great Photographer in the history; he wants to preserve the disappearing cultures of the world and he also wants to show the viewers the different cultures of other countries, which I believe is really nice and helpful. And  this will inspire other photographers. 

References:

Biography:

http://www.ted.com/speakers/phil_borges.html

Images:

http://www.dianefarrisgallery.com/artist/borges/index.html

Kertesz and Cartier-Bresson versus Smith and Salgado

Compare the work of Andre Kertesz and Henri Cartier-Bresson  versus the work of Eugene Smith and Sebastio Salgado.  They are photojournalist with different approaches. What are the main differences and similarities?

Andre Kertesz and Henri Cartier-Bresson and Eugene Smith and Sebastio Salgado both capture a subject that portrays a story and has a meaning. They capture the truth and express their feeling towards it. And they both deliver messages to the reader. The differences of these to approaches are Kertesz and Cartier-Bresson approach believes that if a photographer wants to be a good photojournalist, he/she needs to be invisible when taking photo, he/she also need to capture the reality and the truth without editing, altering or adding other pieces just to have a good photo. Considering that every reader needs to know every detail of the story and the truth about it (DB 10). While Smith and Salgado approach is really opposite to Kertesz and Cartier approach, they believe that in order to get a real photo, a photojournalist needs to be visible and noticeable when taking photo and he/she needs to be part of his/her story, interact with the people and involve his/her emotion on it. Also this approach believes that in order to deliver a good photo or a story to the reader, a photojournalist can ethically alter and edit his/her photo (DB 11).

What’s the better journalistic approach?

For me I believe that in order to deliver a real story, every photojournalist should adopt Kertesz and Cartier approach. According to National Press Photographers Association, here are some of the rules: “be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity”(NPPA Code of Ethics). It should stay in every mind of photojournalist, these will help them a lot to develop their communication skills and their personality especially dealing with different kinds of people. A photojournalist should follow these rules in order to deliver good and accurate news. It is his/her obligation to deliver truth and factual information, without altering or editing his/her photo. Also by this approach, he/she is maintaining the uniqueness of their photo. Every reader has the rights to know the truth.

Work Cited:

Icevska, Gordana. "Week 10 Readings." Web post. Photography Shooting the Truth. George Brown College, Web. 22 Mar. 

2012Icevska, Gordana. "Week 11 Readings." Web post. Photography Shooting the Truth. George Brown College, Web. 22 Mar. 2012

NPPA. “NPPA Code of Ethics.” NPAA.org National Press Photographs Association. Web. 20 Mar. 2012.

Presentation Week 9: Shooting the truth: Photojournalism

What's the role of photo journalism?

Photojournalism is the act of telling stories through photographs. “It is the use of photographs in conjunction with the reporting of news in media such as print newspapers, magazines, television news and Internet reporting. A photojournalist when delivering news or reports must meet the principles of journalism; timeliness, accuracy, fairness on representing details and context of events and facts gathered and the accountability to present it to the public”(Westbrook). He or she should deliver all the accurate facts without missing any important details and he or she must be good at explaining his or her purpose of the subject.

Are there rules that photojournalists should follow? Why? Why not?

There are rules a photojournalist must follow. According to National Press Photographers Association, here are some of the rules: “be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity”(NPPA Code of Ethics). It should stay in every mind of photojournalist, these will help them a lot to develop their communication skills and their personality especially dealing with different kinds of people. A photojournalist should follow these rules in order to deliver good and accurate news. 

Is the ethics of taking journalistic photos different than the ethics of writing a news story?

These Code of Ethics are same as the rules in writing a news story. A photojournalist and a journalist/newscaster must uphold the standards and ethics to deliver truthful and realistic story or article.

What's the impact of altering press photographs? Should they be edited (at all) in postproduction?

Photographs are created through the vision of the photographer. This is what makes them each unique. Photojournalist should not alter photographs because reader wants to know the truth and they want realistic news, photos and articles. “The photojournalist must be careful not to exclude important parts of the context of the event being photographed” (Westbrook). Even though technology is really booming right now, a photograph can just altered by enhancing the quality of it like contrast, exposure and saturation, etc. He or she should not edit it just to satisfy and please readers; it is their obligation to deliver truth, accurate and factual details, hence if they can’t follow the rules then their photo will result as fake, and its uniqueness will lose. 

Work cited:

Westbrook, Dillon. “A brief history of Photojournalism”. Photography-schools.com Photography Schools. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.

NPPA. “NPPA Code of Ethics.” NPAA.org National Press Photographs Association. Web. 9 Mar 2012. 

ART VS. PRESS PHOTOGRAPHY.

Press Photography or Photojournalism is an act of telling stories through photographs.  It is the use of photographs in reporting of news though newspapers, magazines, television and Internet.

Examples: 

First prize in the nature singles category was taken by 

the Chilean photographer Carlos F Gutierrez, of Patagonia Press, 

for Diario La Tercera, showing the Chaiten volcano erupting, in Chile, 2 May 2008

Photograph: Carlos F. Gutierrez/AP

World Press Photo Awards

This picture by Walter Astrada, taken on 17 January 2008, 

shows a Kenyan boy screaming as he sees a policeman 

with a baton approaching the door of his home in the Kibera slum of Nairobi. 

Astrada's series in Nairobi won first prize in the spot news singles category.

Photograph: Walter Astrada/AFP

World Press Photo Awards

Art Photography is a photograph that is created with creativity. It is contrast with photojournalism, it used for commercial and advertisement of products.

 Examples:

HWY 52 – HWY 287 Lightning Storm Image 29. 

A lightning thunderstorm cell with lightning striking 

and mean looking clouds. Lightning weather photography

This is taken by Bo Insogna.

     Take a closer look at these photos and you will find out that 

    they are all made from food.  a series of still life with edible home 

     ingredients to design these series of delicious landscapes.  

  Photographer Carl Warner painstakingly captures all forms of food.

• The main differences and similarities between art and press photography.

·      Similarities

                    Art and press photography have similarities in such a way:

o   Both artists and photojournalist’s captures an image to express their feeling and emotion.

o   And this feeling and emotion may affect or influence the view and opinion of the reader/viewer.

o   Their main objective is to capture the best images.

o   And they provide information and share it to others.

·      Differences:

                   Art and Press photographs have many differences too like:

                    Press Photograph:

o   It is an act of telling stories;

o   It is use for reporting of news through media like newspaper, magazines, and television;

o   Cannot be alter or edit; it is unethical.

                    Art Photograph:

o   It is an act of expressing one’s self.

o   It is use to advertise and to promote a product or services to public.

o   Can be alter or edit, as it is part of being creative.

•      Is it ethical and acceptable to alter press photographs?

Photographs are created through the vision of the photographer. This is what makes them each unique. Photojournalist should not alter photographs because readers will misinterpret it, and of course they want to know the truth and realistic news, photos and articles. “The photojournalist must be careful not to exclude important parts of the context of the event being photographed” (Westbrook). Even though technology is really booming right now, a photograph can just altered by enhancing the quality of it like contrast, exposure and saturation, etc. He or she should not edit it just to satisfy and please readers, it is their obligation to deliver truth, accurate and factual details, and hence if they can’t follow the rules then their photo will result, as fake, and its uniqueness will lose. As the editor of the Toledo Blade stated “Photojournalism is an accurate representation of the truth”.

•  Is it ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs?

Based on my opinion, altering and editing art photograph is acceptable and ethical because as what I’ve said earlier, art photography is created through creativity and it also promoted with various aesthetics approach. So in order to be creative for the sake of art, artists can edit and alter their photos. They can use other medium and tools to help them enhance and express their perception to share it with others. It is also one way for the artists to express themselves in a limitless ways!

Thank you!

References:

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/item_RdCzFVlwQhGR4OeH0dhrbL

http://www.welt.de/english-news/article3220481/World-Press-Photos.html

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/hwy-52--hwy-287-lightning-storm-image-29-james-bo-insogna.html

http://www.hemmy.net/2008/03/24/food-art-photography/

http://www.fourandsix.com/photo-tampering-history/tag/photojournalism-ethics

Westbrook, Dillon. “A brief history of Photojournalism”. Photography-schools.com Photography Schools. Web. 9 Mar. 2012.

Assignment 3 - Photo Journal 2 (Week 10) 

Photo Manipulation.

BrightLights. 

This photo was taken with a Canon 60D and a tripod, it is my brother and me. It is a little bit dark, dull and lifeless, that you cannot even see that there is someone at the photo. So what i did is I edited it using iPhoto on Mac, to start up I cropped it and cleaned up the edges. To make sure that the picture is oriented correctly, i used the straighten tool from the iPhoto Adjust palette. I enhanced it to instantly brightens the exposure of the photo and then adjusts its contrast levels based on preset criteria. After enhancing, I lightened it up by 4% and saturated it by 2 %. I also increased its Boost to 3%, by pumping this effect the image will increase its Brightness to small degrees. Then I used Edge Blur to smoothen the edge of the photo, and then used the sharpness adjustment to blur just a bit of the overall image. I played around it using the Adjusts tools, i increased its Exposure to 1.29% then its Shadow to 20% and the last effect that i applied is the Sharpening tool, it works pretty well but do not overdo it, images that you one to improve the most needs to be sharpened.

After applying all those effects here is the outcome. 

See the differences? It is now livelier that it makes the lights brighter and the trees more visible. The edges are blurry that makes the photo even more beautiful. Then I added my initials at the bottom to make it a little bit more professional.  

Once upon a child.

This photo was also taken by Canon 60D. It was my cousin; it’s hard to get a perfect shot with her so it was just a stolen shot. It is not dark as my first picture is, so I did not apply too much effect on it. What i just did is I used Enhance tool to automatically brighten the exposure and it made a little improvement on the photo. Same as what I did on my first photo, I improved its Boost by 3% and used the Edge Blur by 5%. Using these effects it makes the photo more alive and smoother. I increased its Exposure to 1.29% and its Contrast to 100% by using this effect both darker blacks and brighter whites increases. Then I adjusted its Saturation by 100% to make its color vibrancy look richer. Finally i used Tint and Temperature effect, it controls the green and red tone of the image. I adjusted the Tint to -2 that it makes the photo redder and lessen the amount of green. Then i adjusted its Temperature to -1, using this effect it gives the image even more of an Arctic chill. 

And so here is the result after making all the changes.

It is now more brighter and warmer. The quality of the image also improved.

Photo manipulation is the application of image editing techniques to photographs in order to create an illusion ordeception (in contrast to mere enhancement or correction), through analog or digital means. (Wikipedia)

iPhoto is a photo editor on Mac that lets you edit and enhance photos. It offers a wide range of advanced picture editing and touch-up tools. However, if you don’t understand terms like “exposure” and “contrast,” you might feel overwhelmed when you try to edit photos. 

Thanks for reading my blog, hope you enjoyed it :) 

Week 5: Assignment 2 - Photo Manipulation.