Final Exam

1. Should newspapers show us violent images from Iraq?

Our textbook found that more journalists and editors favored showing graphic, tell-it-like-it-is, hard and gritty realistic photos from the front lines.
The same research found that the viewing public, as a whole, preferred the soft, fuzzy, feel-good human interest stories, sparing us the gory details.
I think we can have some of both. I think newspapers should definitely show us the reality - that is, show us what is really going on with as little spin as possible. Where it's called for, I'm in favor of the publication posting pictures that are hard for us to look at - but I think there is a call for good judgment. I relate that to the suspense one can get from an Alfred Hitchcock thriller that actually shows very little blood and gore, versus today's spate of spurting-blood slasher movies. I think a lot can be told in a picture that captures the drama without the gratuitous, almost voyeuristic show of carnage.

2. Should the photographer and the editor be two separate people?

I think so, yes. I believe, as photojournalists, we can become to attached to our "babies" - our photos and subjects that we worked so hard to cultivate and bring to light.
Having another, qualified voice in the review process can help to achieve that balance of realism and art that I referred to in the previous question.

3. Given the power and contrast of black and white images, what argument is made that readers prefer color?

According to research quoted in the textbook, readers prefer color because they feel color pictures are more realistic. They also remember color better, specifically referring to color in print advertisements. An interesting side note to that fact is that readers actually remembered more details about black-and-white ads, and they remembered them longer. Overall, readers' attention is grabbed more and for a longer period of time by color as opposed to black-and-white.

4. Discuss the photojournalistic ethics of honesty, decency and relevance.

There are four questions - what we call "The Four Way Test" - in the Rotary Club, a service club I've been a member of for a number of years. The questions are:
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build good will and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
These questions are used as a template to help guide decisions and actions in business. I feel they apply as well to the duties of a photojournalist.
There's a fundamental commitment to being truthful. But it is tempered by the kindness that comes from being fair, beneficial, and with an eye toward building positive human relationships.
It is a bit lofty, but I believe it can be applied in the field and can help build understanding between both sides of many issues we, as photojournalists face.

And now, the nominations!

For my own photos, I still really like the picture I took of Li Lei, the dance professor at Dixie State College. I liked the shallow depth of field that focused on her, and blurred out the beautiful, yet possibly distracting background at Snow Canyon.
I like the moment I caught, where she was looking back over her shoulder. She was so intent most of the time, and focused on her dancers, that a brief moment of reflection was rare. But there's even a hint of a sort of "Mona Lisa" smile crossing her face. And I like the allowance of a bit of lead room to the right of the picture. Also, the rich color of her purple coat adds interest.

To choose a favorite photo from a class member is so much harder! I love the "frozen rain" in the umbrella shot. The suspended gymnast, the tragic-comic "po' folks" residences in LaVerkin, the jubilant swimmers - they're all so good! But my vote for Best of the Semester would have to go to Bree's shot of her subject - Doug Gubler. There's a whole story captured in his eyes. The light that highlights a bit of a brighter outlook, but then the shadow on the left of the face that has an almost opposite, foreboding look. The cropping that shows the arm bands, with the hands behind the head, either restful, or in the position of being arrested. But the picture still comes back to the eyes. Bree has managed to capture the sadness and the pain that seems to have been part of this man's life for a long time.

Thank you, Eric. It has been a fun ride. Keep shooting.