Photojournalism is changing, propelled by newsroom budget cuts, multimedia possibilities, and the ubiquity of digital images. In Visual Journalism, photojournalists write about emerging digital business strategies and their efforts to expand the reach of their photographs online and on gallery walls. They also share ideas about how to fund projects of personal passion and societal value. Their words tell vital stories about how they do their work; slideshows of their photographs—exclusive to our Web site—and multimedia presentations convey their visual stories. Read and watch as the future of photojournalism unfolds.
RELATED ARTICLE "Preparing the Next Generation of Photojournalists" - Sherman TeichmanSamuel James, the winner of Exposure’s first Alexandra Boulat Award, will continue his photographic work on the lives of the “Area Boys,” youth gangs in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria. The award, named in honor of a cofounder of VII Photo Agency, carries a $2,500 stipend to promote the creation of documentary work with a social purpose. (Story continues below.)
Acala zone, Mushin, Lagos, 2008
“Area Boys,” Oshodi, Lagos, 2008
A boy is caught trying to steal pants in Oshodi, Lagos, 2008
Acala zone, Mushin, Lagos, 2008
Badia, Lagos, 2008
MC Musiliu Oluomo, one of the most powerful “Area Boys” leaders in Lagos, at a wedding in Isolo, Lagos, 2008
MC Musiliu Oluomo at a hotel in Oshodi, Lagos, 2008
Ogunoloko zone, Mafoluku, Lagos, 2008
Brothel, Mafoluku, Lagos, 2008
“Area Boys,” Badia, Lagos, 2008
Sleeping Ogunoloko gang members, Mafoluku, Lagos, 2008
Sleeping Ogunoloko gang members, Mafoluku, Lagos 2008
James explains that the amorphous and contentious term “Area Boys” is used to describe gangs of unemployed young men who control small areas of Lagos, Nigeria. As these gangs proliferate, with a population now estimated in the hundreds of thousands, they often morph into ethnic militias, vigilantes, mercenaries, trade unions, and political parties—groups that generally seek political spoils through various means of violence and coercion. In most cases, however, the realm of "Area Boy" exists as a cultural expression rather than a defined social group—this project is an exploration through that realm.
Visual Journalism
Photojournalism is changing, propelled by newsroom budget cuts, multimedia possibilities, and the ubiquity of digital images. In Visual Journalism, photojournalists write about emerging digital business strategies and their efforts to expand the reach of their photographs online and on gallery walls. They also share ideas about how to fund projects of personal passion and societal value. Their words tell vital stories about how they do their work; slideshows of their photographs—exclusive to our Web site—and multimedia presentations convey their visual stories. Read and watch as the future of photojournalism unfolds.
