Is Photojournalism Art?

How was Paris before 1900?

Year Created:1889

Obvious Main Subject:

The main subjects in this picture are the man and woman standing on top of the building. The couple is not taking up much of the picture frame yet it is immediately where one's eyes go when you see the picture. Another reason that the couple is the main subject is the different shades in the picture. The couple, due to their dark color scheme, standing out against the light background. All of these signs make the couple in the center the main subjects. 

Use of Shadows:

If you look at the picture you notice the three characters included in the picture all have shadows. The shadows were used in this picture to show the height in which the picture was taken and that it was sunny outside when the picture was taken. While the shadows do not add much to the picture, they do add slight detail. 

Depth of Field:

I do believe that the right amount of area is in focus. The picture starts off with the two men and one woman on top of the building which is in complete focus. As the picture continues out, the scene becomes more and more out of focus. While you can still see the basic idea of the buildings in the background as it continues to go out, the image becomes less clear and more blurry the further out one looks. 

Why did I choose this image?

I chose this image because it felt like an image that could be recreated today just with a completely different background. I liked that you could not really see the faces of the subjects close up. The whole image at first glance seems simple but upon further inspection could have a much deeper meaning. 

Photo by: Arthur Leipzig

Year created: 1945

Subject's Expression:

The main subjects in the photo do not look relaxed. While the two do not look overly posed, they do look overly tense. Because of their makeup and dressed up persona, the two look as though they are not posing for pictures, but they are ready for pictures at any moment. Their body language does match their faces. Both seems unpersonal and tense. 

Quality of light:

The two man subjects in the photo look as though they are under a bright light. The picture almost looks like paparazzi is flashing lights at the couple. The lights look bold and dramatic. This is not surprising giving that the two seem to be famous and some type of celebrity. The light in the photo makes the two subjects stand out while the background of all the people seem not there. If you look hard enough you can make out plenty of people in the background, however if you look quick you can barely see it due to the contrast of lights. 

Black and White:

The picture featured is black and white. The impact of that edit is that the photo adds dramatics to the picture. It makes it also look more regal and dramatic. I believe that the photograph was taken during a time of colored photographs but this specific one was left black and white. 

Why did I choose this image?

I chose this image because I liked the regalness it portrayed. The couple is dressed up in full glam and wearing fancy clothes. I liked the way the couple is portrayed as attractive and showy despite the two just sitting there. 

Photo by: Robert Capa

Year created: 1960

Keep it Simple:

The photograph used above is the opposite of simple. Inside the photograph there is so much to see and it is very busy. Items that make the photograph look busy include JFK and Jackie Kennedy, the people in the crowd, the cameras the crowd is holding up, and the buildings in the background. While the picture is cluttered, you can still make out what is being shown. 

Background compliments:

The items in the background, specifically the crowd, complete the picture. While the large mass of people does make the picture seem cluttered, yet the background compliments the actual stars of the picture. The background does compliment the real reason behind the picture, which is JFK and hsi wife campaigning during his presidency. 

What feelings does this image create: 

For me when I look at this picture I get a twinge of anxiety. People are surrounding the car and holding up flashing cameras in the faces of JFK and Jackie as they are exposed in an open car. While the two held major public roles, the breech of privacy and personal space seems like it would be overwhelming to the common person. The couple, however, look to be embracing the crowd, both with smiles on their faces. 

Why did I choose this image:

Growing up I was mildly obsessed with Jackie Kennedy. It started with a project in 5th grade about a person in history and I had chosen her. Since then I have read many many books about her, her husband and children, and the Kennedys as a whole. I am fascinated with the history behind their family tree. Picking this picture was not something that much thought was put into, mostly something that was just done because it caught my eye. 

Photo by Kaylie Moran

Date credited: September 23, 2024

Rule of thirds:

Technically I did not avoid placing my subject, the bird, in the middle of the photograph but I had caught the picture just at a time as the bird started to fly away. I think that the uniqueness of the subject being not directly in the middle adds detail to the picture. So much of the picture is taken up by the surrounding greenness and the small space the bird takes up makes your brain think, almost like an optical illusion.

Quality of light:

The difference in the shades of light that is coming through is not completely on purpose but I think it does add some purpose to the picture. The sun shining down on certain areas adds warmth and almost joy to the picture. It also brings knowledge that this picture was taken in the early day as you can still see shadows. If this picture of the crow was taken during a dark and rainy day, it would portray a completely different variety of views and emotions.

Exposure time:

One who looks at this picture can tell that it was taken quickly just as the bird was about to fly off, by looking at the bird's wings. In the picture, the bird's wings look almost blurry since they were moving so fast as the picture was being taken on my phone. I think that it adds a level of depth to the picture since you can tell there is movement behind the screen.

Why did I choose this picture?

I had actually taken this picture for a completely different reason but when I saw this assignment I realized it would work great. My great grandmother who we inherited my current house from loved birds. She would spend hours looking out the window at birds that flew by, especially cardinals. My mom has picked up bits of those traits and now always looks at birds as they fly by. I noticed as I was in my bedroom, a huge bird fly by and land on my neighbor's gate. I decided to take the picture to send to my mom to show her just how big this bird was, but the bird flew away before I got the chance to take a good picture.