Mark E. Johnson – Page 106 – Visual Journalism

September 5, 2012

The Professional Instagramer

That headline was hard to type … as a journalist, I find much of what I see on Instagram as not-journailsm. It’s art, some of it amazingly good, but the filtering and intentional degradation of images bothers me when it’s put forth as journalism. And I know I should now yell, “YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN!” But that’s the...

Business & Industry/Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism

September 4, 2012

How National Geographic Catches Lies

Over at the Poynter Institute, Craig Silverman has a post up about how the National Geographic catches faked photos in its contests. (Dan) Westergren (Senior Picture Editor at NatGeo’s Traveler magazine) says one fundamental question judges ask of every entry is, “Does this picture show what it felt like to be there at that moment, to combine the human elements...

Advice & Learning/Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism

August 31, 2012

Better Truthiness Through Photography

Science Daily is reporting on a recent study lead by Eryn J. Newman of Victoria University in New Zealand that looks at the effect of photos on readers’ decisions about whether a statement is true or not. More evidence that photojournalism needs to be both true and accurate, I think. (Thanks to Billy Suratt for the link.)

Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism

August 30, 2012

They Like Us, But They Don’t Trust Us

The Reynolds Journalism Institute released a new study about the public’s perception of journalism. One of the best breakdowns of the study is over at the Poynter Institute by Jeff Sonderman – both are worth a read. The instant takeaway: the public prefers professionally produced journalism … but doesn’t trust the sources. Let that sit for a while …

Business & Industry/Journalism

August 30, 2012

Steroids, Ethics and Photojournalism

Sean Elliot, president of the National Press Photographers Association, wrote an intriguing post questioning whether you can draw a parallel between steroid use in athletics and manipulations in photojournalism. It’s a great question that he poses and I think the answer is yes. Photojournalism – not photography, photojournalism – is about truth, accuracy and fairness. Doctoring your images in Photoshop,...

Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism/Thoughts & Theory

August 29, 2012

Wall Street Journal Reporters Posting Short Videos

Over at the Poynter Institute, Jeff Sonderman has a story up about Wall Street Journal reporters who, after having been issued smart phones, are now posting short videos online. The videos, under the banner of WorldStream, vary from short snippets of the locations the journalists are to stand ups of them talking about stories they are in the process of...

Business & Industry/Journalism/Video

August 29, 2012

California Anti-Paparazzi Law to be Challenged

A California statute that allows prosecution of photographers who drive recklessly while pursuing subjects is going to be challenged in court. Uhh … if they drive recklessly, isn’t that already against the law? Why single out photographers? (Thanks to Mickey Osterreicher for the link.)

Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism

August 27, 2012

Photoshelter Webinar on Assisting

Photoshelter has a webinar scheduled for 4 p.m. this Thursday on How to Make it As a Photography Assistant. Drew Gurian, who has worked as a first assistant to Joe McNally, will be talking about his experiences and offering advice on the pros and cons of assisting.

Business & Industry/Photojournalism/Tech Talk

August 27, 2012

How to Pitch a Story

Over at the Poynter Institute, Tom Huang has an excellent post up about how to pitch a story. One of my great struggles in the classroom is moving students from shooting items or events to documenting ideas and issues – this will be brought into all my classes now.

Advice & Learning/Craft/Journalism/Photojournalism

August 27, 2012

Wanted: Copyeditors

We in the journalism trade probably spend too much energy on enjoying the errors of others … but, when you get an obit headline wrong – so, so wrong – maybe we should point it out? Or maybe we should send notes to media executives pointing out that all the newsroom cuts are having an effect on the journalism?

Ethics & Legal/Journalism

Author: Mark E. Johnson

The Professional Instagramer

How National Geographic Catches Lies

Better Truthiness Through Photography

They Like Us, But They Don’t Trust Us

Steroids, Ethics and Photojournalism

Wall Street Journal Reporters Posting Short Videos

California Anti-Paparazzi Law to be Challenged

Photoshelter Webinar on Assisting

How to Pitch a Story

Wanted: Copyeditors