Photojournalism Dead? It's Just Changing With the Times
In the next 50 pages Nieman Reports take stock of photojournalism today. While problems are noted, the report is positive. The articles and the photo essays by 10 Nieman Fellows demonstrate the special value of pictures to news. As noted photographer Edward Steichen summed it up at the dinner celebrating his 90th birthday in 1969: “The mission of photography is to explain man to man and each man to himself. And that is no mean function.”
In the mid-70’s there was a big press conference at the Waldorf Astoria in New York to announce that Raquel Welch was named an honorary spokesperson for the American Cancer Society.
The New York press started asking her some nasty questions like, “Now that silicone implants have been found to be cancerous, how do you feel?”
I had a long lens focused on her face and I could see she was about to burst out in tears. But instead she bolted for the exit. Everyone froze. I got to this dark hallway near a service elevator and there she was sitting on the radiator crying her eyes out.
I turned away and passed up a photo of one of the leading sex symbols of all time reduced to tears. I felt that the press was insensitive to her trying to do a good thing. Plus I knew that she is well versed in the art of karate.
The New York press started asking her some nasty questions like, “Now that silicone implants have been found to be cancerous, how do you feel?”
I had a long lens focused on her face and I could see she was about to burst out in tears. But instead she bolted for the exit. Everyone froze. I got to this dark hallway near a service elevator and there she was sitting on the radiator crying her eyes out.
I turned away and passed up a photo of one of the leading sex symbols of all time reduced to tears. I felt that the press was insensitive to her trying to do a good thing. Plus I knew that she is well versed in the art of karate.
