There are many historical equivalents to the way photographers are perceived . We perceive ourselves as equals to reporters , and reporters and our business in general appear to accept this in theory . And YET , there are these funny little , NAGGING inconsistencies .
We see evidence of a difference , historically and currently in the way our counterparts treat our contribution .
The picture , and photography came late to the party , design , even later .
The idea that the photography may help the reader understand who the writer is quoting may be the only thing print journalism truly understands about photography . In journalism school , it seems that this is only thing a writer learns about photography.
This is why a cellphone camera might be thought of as an alternative to a photographer . The understanding of what we can add is never been truly understood in this business . It is the business killing flaw , because this understanding is driving TV news and now the online version of newspapers.
There is a struggle with the idea of photographs being information .There is no clear understanding of the total range and impact of pictures on the public. The language to make non visual people understand photography is seldom used beyond vague concepts not in their frames of reference.
It is almost a left brain right brain conundrum , it simply cannot be understood by print brained , or non visual people . By comparison spelling is not totally valued by visualists . ( just made that word up)
The value of a name on a photo is lost by those who truly see a photographers contribution and something less .An managing editor once described the photograph as dessert , something sweet , left till the end of a meal , and only if there is room .
That picture was not used because there was no space is a common phrase . When you examine how the space was used there is an understanding that there is a commitment to a printed story that does not exist for photos . It is very hard for a printed minded person to judge the information or interest value of a photo in comparison with a story . ( information is but one level) The language does exist but is seldom used.
This is not a way back in the past kind of thing. When an intern comes to work at a newspaper , no matter where they come from they are baffled when confronted with having to write a photo assignment .
Some students and even senior reporters may even try to tell a photographer “the“ photograph . The story and photo problem need solving by both in similar ways .
Photography has always been seen as a service department for stories .
Photographs are optional, if there is space . It is funny the weekend paper has the biggest pictures , because there is a commitment to pictures that does not exist in other papers . There is a commitment to design that does not exist in other days of the week .
Not understanding or seeing the subtle differences between two similar photos , the idea that pictures are horizontal or vertical , that orientation matters over content . The idea that picture blocks simply break up the grey copy irrespective of content. The idea that content of a picture is unseeable or definable in story telling terms .
The sentence structure of a photo ( subject and action with descriptors) , the story telling aspects of pictures , pictures as evidence , or emotion , capturing the energy of an event are ways that writers can be helped to understand content and relevance . The idea that a picture can connect a reader with an emotion is a very powerful tool . They may help the reporter write the story but not use the picture (pictures) .This common language is understood and valued by reporters as well as connecting common practice to photo issues , LIKE NAMES as credit for work done , disclaimers to include not only the newspaper or picture agency but the photographer/author of the content. JUST like a reporter is credited or recognized in a footnote.
Names of photographers are optional in the smallest type possible .( names of reporter content occupying the smaller or similar physical area , square inches on a page are not) Staff photo , archive photo , file photo are bad practices ,
There is a trend to selling pictures and rights to pictures , trading the names of iconic as well as ordinary photographers ( and there are no ordinary photogs) , the names in the smallest type possible , when they existed at all and replacing them unapologetically with picture bank credits.
None of this makes sense if we consider ourselves equals as everyone says. This silent racism , silent discrimination exists . Try thinking of yourself as unequal and it all makes sense. The “N” word jumps out , the Metis outside the fort another favourite , some may prefer “the Help”, the “expendables”. This is harsh in a comical sense , but the stress causes has been conistant over long decades .
This is not just an opinion. This prevailing attitude is now finally beginning to change but web design is getting emphasis over content . Back to square one with a non visual taking a short cut . Pictures do not take themselves.
Added note - In the world of smaller independent news papers , a great deal of experimentation is possible and being tried resulting in the local product is being elevated .( as it should be the place for innovation) The big step is not only visual but creating new rules for how local information is farmed out.
There are background stresses on photography that can only be described as unnecessary . That being said , in this time , the idea of Total Journalism needs to be expressed as an idea .
If our craft is to report on everything and anything , all the time , there has to be singleness of purpose in how we do it. The idea that a newsroom divided into words and pictures and then again with pictures and multimedia will leave all short in a time when strength of skill and intellect are needed the most. All the elements are in place and with every person a tiger can bring reporting to the highest level of all media .
At the end of the day journalism , good bad or indifferent will not save newspapers .Newspapers have been scared into quality for some time now. The standard of journalism is likely the highest it has ever been , yet we still decline . The rules of information transfer are killing the opportunity for local papers to sell the valuable and expensive commodity of information.
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