Photojournalism experts discuss stuff over a beer.
Written by David WhiteThe video below sees Kenneth Jarecke and David Burnett, both very experienced and respected photojournalists, discussing photojournalism today. TBH it’s more like discussing how photojournalism was. There is only ever the now. See what you think..
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdOWHAeBkDA[/youtube]
this just in from Kenneth:
I should probably just walk away from this, but as an occasional contributor here and not one to shy away from controversy, I’ll give my two cents…
I know exactly how this little interview can be seen. I said so myself in a blog post a few days ago…
http://kennethjarecke.typepad.com/mostly_true/2011/03/grumpy-old-men.html
In my post I also pointed out that many images were wrongly credited. It should also be known that the inclusion of MY images were done without my permission. It’s done, and there’s no real way to undo it now, the video was widely seen before I had seen it myself. So there it is.
That said, I certainly wasn’t trying to start an rift between generations. So let me clarify (to a small extent) what I believe about the current state of photojournalism.
1) Chimping is addictive and makes for worse images not better. Photographers of all ages (because I chimp myself) should avoid it. I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with turning a real person immediately into a thumbnail that causes a separation (of some sort) between the photographer and the subject. There’s also the real downside of looking at the back of your camera when you should be looking at what you’re photographing.
2) If you can’t make pictures in your own backyard, going to Libya right now is not going to magically turn you into HCB.
3) Endurance and hard work is probably what separates all of the many people with talent from the ones who are known. Still, I once complained about how hard I work without any success, the photographer I complained to told me, not only do you have to work hard, you have to work smart. I (try) to continually follow his advice to this day.
4) Observation… yes, photographers should spend more time looking at the world around them and not just snapping away willy-nilly. Maybe this opinion can be construed as grumpy old man-ish, as similar comments I’m sure were made by press photographers holding Speed Graphics as their younger counterparts strolled in with a couple of 35mm around their necks. Guilty as charged, I guess. I’ll tell you what, hearing a photographer next to me shooting nine frames a second when a single frame was too much is frustrating. Not so much as it points to a lack of confidence, or talent on the door-gunners part, but because in certain situations it ruins the seen that I’ve been working and waiting to capture myself.
Sometimes you jump in and make a big splash, others you try to slip into the pond without making a ripple.
5) I think photographers are indeed wearing too many hats these days. It was one thing to work a twelve hour day and ship your film, it’s quite another to work that same twelve hours and then become an editor, photoshop tech, or perhaps capture some sound or video. Something will suffer and more than likely it will be your still images. For no other reason that the still image is commonly thought of as the easiest to do.
The fact is, making great still images is a full-time job in itself. The reality of today’s world is, yes, you do have to be an editor and tech guy. I have no problem with that, but I can’t say it conductive to producing the best possible images.
If any of the above is somehow offensive, I’m glad to offend. If not, I’m equally glad to share a pint or two with (all of) you at anytime.
All the best,
Ken
Discussion (9 Comments)
I know they are making a lot of good points but they remind me a little of Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets.
I think it’s something to do with the video itself. there’s something a bit parody about it
Haha Ciara, that Muppets reference is spot on!
I’m sure they’re very wise and experience photogs, but you start to lose attention when someone starts a sentence “these kids today…”.
Grumpy old photographers, love it.
“hey man I’m a photographer” – “get an engineering job”- not sure that this came out so well – http://tinyurl.com/5srbx8t #photog
Grumpy, ay.. RT @russellskaye: “hey man I’m a photographer” – “get an engineering job” – http://tinyurl.com/5srbx8t #photog
Weirdly, there are photographs in this video credited to our two grumpy heroes which clearly aren’t theirs. Just to pick up on one of them, I somehow doubt that Jarecke was on hand to record the Bangladesh bayoneting (it’s at the 10:35 mark) in 71, given that he can’t have been much more than ten years old at the time. You might want to drop him a line and ask for clarification on this.
Clearly, photographers are being shafted, but it’s dismal and more than a bit pathetic to see these two attempting to drive a generational rift representing good and bad.
changes in photojournalism…http://www.duckrabbit.info/2011/03/photojournalism-experts-discuss-stuff-over-a-beer/
I should probably just walk away from this, but as an occasional contributor here and not one to shy away from controversy, I’ll give my two cents…
I know exactly how this little interview can be seen. I said so myself in a blog post a few days ago…
http://kennethjarecke.typepad.com/mostly_true/2011/03/grumpy-old-men.html
In my post I also pointed out that many images were wrongly credited. It should also be known that the inclusion of MY images were done without my permission. It’s done, and there’s no real way to undo it now, the video was widely seen before I had seen it myself. So there it is.
That said, I certainly wasn’t trying to start an rift between generations. So let me clarify (to a small extent) what I believe about the current state of photojournalism.
1) Chimping is addictive and makes for worse images not better. Photographers of all ages (because I chimp myself) should avoid it. I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with turning a real person immediately into a thumbnail that causes a separation (of some sort) between the photographer and the subject. There’s also the real downside of looking at the back of your camera when you should be looking at what you’re photographing.
2) If you can’t make pictures in your own backyard, going to Libya right now is not going to magically turn you into HCB.
3) Endurance and hard work is probably what separates all of the many people with talent from the ones who are known. Still, I once complained about how hard I work without any success, the photographer I complained to told me, not only do you have to work hard, you have to work smart. I (try) to continually follow his advice to this day.
4) Observation… yes, photographers should spend more time looking at the world around them and not just snapping away willy-nilly. Maybe this opinion can be construed as grumpy old man-ish, as similar comments I’m sure were made by press photographers holding Speed Graphics as their younger counterparts strolled in with a couple of 35mm around their necks. Guilty as charged, I guess. I’ll tell you what, hearing a photographer next to me shooting nine frames a second when a single frame was too much is frustrating. Not so much as it points to a lack of confidence, or talent on the door-gunners part, but because in certain situations it ruins the seen that I’ve been working and waiting to capture myself.
Sometimes you jump in and make a big splash, others you try to slip into the pond without making a ripple.
5) I think photographers are indeed wearing too many hats these days. It was one thing to work a twelve hour day and ship your film, it’s quite another to work that same twelve hours and then become an editor, photoshop tech, or perhaps capture some sound or video. Something will suffer and more than likely it will be your still images. For no other reason that the still image is commonly thought of as the easiest to do.
The fact is, making great still images is a full-time job in itself. The reality of today’s world is, yes, you do have to be an editor and tech guy. I have no problem with that, but I can’t say it conductive to producing the best possible images.
If any of the above is somehow offensive, I’m glad to offend. If not, I’m equally glad to share a pint or two with (all of) you at anytime.
All the best,
Ken
Thanks Kenneth.
You shouldn’t walk away from this, your engagement helps a lot. I do think the pair of you come across as rather negative, I have to say. There are many very, very strong young photojournalists and photographers. The craft has not died, just moved. But I understand how hard it is to stay positive amongst these shifting sands. You make interesting points. Thanks for contributing.