ACLU Sues LA Sheriff's Department

Are security issues enough to prevent a picture from being taken? No, says the American Civil Liberties Union. In fact, they believe so strongly in the right to photography that they sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Thursday, saying the law department has been harrassing both amateur and professional photographers who take pictures in public places.

The First Amendment Center published an Associated Press wire report on its website detailing the harrassment. According to the report, sheriff's deputies have harrassed many different photographers within two years, by stopping them, frisking, and in some cases threatening arrest. The photographers in each case had been taking pictures of public buildings, parks, and facilities. The problem with that, according the deputies, was that taking pictures of public spaces is a sign of a possible terrorist threat. One photographer was even asked if he was "in cahoots with Al Qaida" before being frisked.

Has it really gotten to the point that all photography of public spaces is suspicious? Then, wow, we have a lot of trouble. Teachers taking pictures of class trips to the zoo. College students taking pictures of their first trip to Washington D.C. Middle school students taking pictures in the gym at their public school dance. The difference between these scenarios and the cases being described is simple: the photographers are alone. They stand out.

Photography of high-risk public property is not itself a threat, and should not be treated as one. The ACLU has a list of photographer's rights on their website and advice on what to do if you are stopped or detained while taking photographs. Freedom of speech is not limited to simply the freedom of speaking or writing. It provides the freedom to see.

Photo/Mike Baird, creativecommons.org

Read more...

The Power of the Picture

If a picture can speak 1,000 words, what affect could 52 photographs of Osama bin Laden's death play on the war, and even on the world?

Judicial Watch has recently filed a Freedom of Information act lawsuit to try to grant the public access to the photographs taken after the assassination of bin Laden. Government officials fear that the release of these photographs will instigate a vicious counterattack by anti-American groups and terrorists, such as the Taliban. When looking at this situation, one cannot help but compare this situation to Saddam Hussein's execution in December 2006 and the video leaked capturing his hanging. This unauthorized video shot from a mobile phone created a huge stir across the world surrounding the conduct of execution. Yet, no extreme violent outbursts have been linked back to his hanging.

Is it possible that the pictures of Osama would have a much different effect on its viewers than the video of Saddam? With this in mind, the public must wonder what the American government is hiding in these pictures. It is claimed they wish to protect the identities of the soldiers who accomplished this mission and to protect American military strategies from leaking to enemies. If these pictures are released to the public, newspapers will need to decide whether or not they want to publish them, and possibly put lives in danger.

When dealing with powerful images, such as these, each media outlet needs to make a decision on where it stands. Is it okay to publish picture of the death of a notorious criminal or are photographs capturing any death pushing the ethical boundaries for any publication? Powerful images may make an event more believable, helps sell stories and thus, more papers. Photographic or video proof help the credibility of any story and help readers understand that an event actually happened. Yet, when unveiling powerful images about death, violence, starvation, or any number of disturbing events that take place every day across the world, will journalists choose to show images simply because the public demands them and because they want to boost sales this month? Or will they choose to shield the eyes of the public and hope the truth conveys itself well enough through their writing?

Read more...

Photo Editing Ethics in News

With the increase if photo editing readers are constantly faced with the decision to decide between what is real and what is altered.

The National Press Photographers Association has a code of ethics that states that the principle job of a photo journalist is to provide accurate information that can be used for history later on.

When people turn on the news, read a newspaper or news magazine, they expect the truth and accurate images.

In my opinion photos in journalism and news sources can be edited, but only simply. For a general rule of thumb, photos should only be edited in ways that do not change the content.

In some cases, editing photos may actually make the image more realistic. If an image's exposure is lightened if the picture was darker than real life, or if red-eye removal is used, there is actually a more realistic photo being presented in the end.

Photos should not be changed in an effort of censorship. If a photo is too graphic in some way, then it should not be published in the first place.

Photos should not be edited in journalism because the general audience has a hard time distinguishing between what is real and what is edited. So, it is up to the journalist to keep things accurate.

Photo credit: Feras Hares on Flickr.com via Creative Commons

Read more...

Jerry Morton, a Great Photojournalist

Jerry Lee Morton, an editorial-page editor and photojournalist for the Enquirer in the 1970s, died this Jan. 24 at the age of 67.

His death took place at his East Lansing residence.

Through Jerry many learned it was important to relax, laugh and observe people with a good-natured curiosity, he was truly inspirational.

During his time at the Enquirer he wore a newsboy hat and was tall and gangly always holding his pencil and notebook with a big smile on his face. People in small-town Michigan always seemed happy to see him.

Morton would also, from time to time, engage in a "walk through spring" hiking through the area, meeting, photographing and writing about people along the way.

Morton taught journalism at Michigan State University after leaving the newspaper.

Along with teaching Morton gathered some of his greatest Enquirer columns into three paperbacks, which he sold to his admirers.

Morton had many hobbies, one of which, was traveling. He spent substantial time in Mexico and Romania, where he published photo-essay books of people he met in both places.

Among his many accomplishments Morton had a doctorate in journalism. A list of his accomplishments can be seen at lsj.com under his obituary.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons, Jason Perkins

Read more...

How to Become a Photojournalist

Many of us have a difference focus we want to take as journalists. One of those focuses is photojournalism.

There are some important steps to take when deciding how to become a photojournalist.

Some of these steps were presented by eHow in "How to Become a Photojournalist."

Step 1: Invest in good equipment meaning get a higher end camera other than a point and shoot. This may be hard to do, but sometimes you need to bite the bullet.

Step 2: Attend a photography or journalism school. This step can be checked off on the list.

Step 3: Get an internship with a magazine or newspaper. This allows you to gain experience and get your name out there.

Step 4: Develop a portfolio to showcase your work. It may help you get an internship or job.

Step 5: Learn how to scan or upload images from your camera to your computer. This should be checked as well because most people know how to do this already.

Step 6: Know how to think quickly and try to emotionally detach yourself from what event you may be covering.

Step 7: Go for the best story and don't settle for the easy break.

Step 8: Prepare for mental and physical tests. Carrying heavy equipment will test you physically while other situations may put your life in danger.

Step 9: Work well under the pressure and don't miss deadlines. I cannot stress this step enough. If you need a time extension just ask for it, don't assume it will be okay if you're late.

Step 10: Make sure what you are capturing photographs of tells a story, and don't be afraid to get up in people's faces to photograph them.

Hopefully this was helpful for all future photojournalists.

If anybody would like to add anything to the list then feel free to do so.

Read more...

Photojournalism Makes a Comeback

In a time where journalists are expected to write, photograph, shoot, and edit their own stories, a question arises: what is the future of photojournalism?

We are all told as journalists that in today's economy, where jobs are scarce and job security is a thing of the past, having just one niche is a deal breaker. A journalist must not simply be a

triple threat, but a quadruple threat.

With photography cooperatives such as Luceo Images and Magnum Photos popping up, however, hope isn't completely lost for a career in photojournalism.

Blogger from The New York Times, James Estrin, said in his blog entitled, "If Photojournalism Is Dead, What's Luceo?", that although "there's no doubt that there are dire economic changes in the photography business and fewer assignments to cover news," an economically efficient photojournalism career is still possible.

Rather than working through agencies where the photographers are tossed around like playing cards, photography co-ops like Luceo give individual photographers a chance to further develop their abilities and to take the reins by allowing them equal roles in the organization.

However, although a picture is said to be worth a thousand words, the topic of whether it is also worth a thousand dollars is debatable.

Read more...