Shooting the Truth: Press Photography versus Art Photography
The main similarities and differences between art and press photography
Art photography and press photography are both mediums that use the camera as a tool to express a certain thought, or to convey a message, however, the intent of these messages can differ greatly, due to the fact that these two forms of photography serve a different purpose.
Press photography is intertwined with photojournalism, which means its main purpose is to tell a story, a factual story, about a particular moment in time. It is commonly expected that press photography follow a set of guidelines that uphold the integrity of its purpose. The most important of those guidelines which is common throughout different parts of the world is that the image must not be staged or altered, as to not mislead the viewer into thinking that what is displayed is the truth (if it in fact isn't).This component which categorizes press photography as what it is separates it from other genres of photography such as art photography.
Press Photography:
Where as press photography can seem to have a strict defining point, art photography, for many, is very difficult to define, due to its subjective focus. Art photography is defined by some as capturing beauty through photography. However, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder and cannot be solidly defined, this in turn broadens the perspective of what art photography can be defined as.
Art Photography:
Some commonalities between both press and art photography is the subject matter. Both have a shared purpose for sending a message, telling a story, presenting something in a way that others may not otherwise see. The subject matter ranges from many different subjects such as contemporary pieces (in art photography for example), to a documentation of wars, or just daily life. Both take a keen eye and intuition of the photographer to capture a fleeting moment at just the right time.
Press photography is intertwined with photojournalism, which means its main purpose is to tell a story, a factual story, about a particular moment in time. It is commonly expected that press photography follow a set of guidelines that uphold the integrity of its purpose. The most important of those guidelines which is common throughout different parts of the world is that the image must not be staged or altered, as to not mislead the viewer into thinking that what is displayed is the truth (if it in fact isn't).This component which categorizes press photography as what it is separates it from other genres of photography such as art photography.
Press Photography:
Photograph:
Michael Appleton
New Orleans,
September 4, 2005.
Photograph:
RV Spencer/ AFP/ National archives
Haengju,
South Korea, 1951
Where as press photography can seem to have a strict defining point, art photography, for many, is very difficult to define, due to its subjective focus. Art photography is defined by some as capturing beauty through photography. However, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder and cannot be solidly defined, this in turn broadens the perspective of what art photography can be defined as.
Art Photography:
Photograph:
Laurent Baillet
Photograph:
Julie Blackmon
Some commonalities between both press and art photography is the subject matter. Both have a shared purpose for sending a message, telling a story, presenting something in a way that others may not otherwise see. The subject matter ranges from many different subjects such as contemporary pieces (in art photography for example), to a documentation of wars, or just daily life. Both take a keen eye and intuition of the photographer to capture a fleeting moment at just the right time.
Is it ethical and acceptable to alter art photographs?
I think that it is acceptable to alter photographs in the case of art. Art is something allows people to express their ideas, and sometimes those ideas are not things that can be fully explored just though the click of a camera. Since art photography is so expressive and in the hands of the artist, I believe there is more freedom to approach photography this way. Also, because art photographers are not obligated to stick to true events like press photographers are, they should have the discretion to make those decisions. Art photography is something that can be appreciated for the idea as well as the process because it is not necessarily trying to tell a factual story.
Is it ethical and acceptable to alter press photographs?
In terms of press photographs, I don't think altering these types of photos should be acceptable, only because of the purpose that they serve. They are meant to be a recollection of events that have taken place in reality, and as such there is an expectation that the photographs being presented are indeed that, a presentation of realistic events. I think the purpose of the press photograph can be easily lost if they are not the truth. There is certain alterations that do occur in press photography and photojournalism which can be acceptable, such as color correction, but there should be a line that is drawn, in order to keep the honesty of the image.
Sources:
www.blackboard.com (course readings aided in research)
Sources:
www.blackboard.com (course readings aided in research)
