Picture Perfect

Gabby Howell
gh464114@ohio.edu

Source: Independent 

There is a time old saying that goes: "a picture is worth a thousand words". Photographs are one form of media that allow so much more emotion to show through than words could ever describe. Photography has truly become an art, and there are so many diverse aspects to delve in to.

When thinking of photos and journalism together, the first thing that comes to mind is that a picture helps to enhance a story. Whether it is online or in print, pictures help to add another element to a piece that takes it to the next level.

What journalists have to think about is what kind of picture they want to use with their story, and how the image coincides with the message.

A popular topic of discussion among journalists is the ethics involved in deciding whether or not a picture is appropriate to publish. There are debates about if is ethical to publish pictures of refugees and migrants as they are fleeing their countries. Personally, I think it is important to show these pictures because the faces on these humans tell a story that words never could.

One aspect of this that I find interesting is that these refugees and migrants are going through such a traumatic experience and yet all the photographer cares about is snapping the picture. You  have to pause for a moment and step back and realize that there is a person behind the picture who is, most likely, neglecting to help these people who truly need it.

The other side to the discussion is that it is a journalists right to present the truth to the public, no matter what the pictures may look like. I believe that there should be a line in place that separates the degree to which a graphic photograph should be shown. If it is nothing too disturbing, a warning should be in place for the viewers. However, if a photo is showing too much to the point of extreme discomfort, I would refrain from using the photo for the public's wellbeing.

There is also an entire psychological element involved when dealing with photographs. I have never really thought of this much before but after reading about it, it clicked in my mind. A background behind a person talking transmits as much of a message as the actual words spoken. Even though a video is not technically a photograph, it falls pretty much under the same category and can be treated with the same standards.

When it comes down to it, publishing photographs with a story is a much bigger deal than you would think. Thinking back to the stories with photos from 9/11, these images truly show and depict how entirely tragic the event was and gets the audience more emotionally involved on a much deeper level. Photographs have the power to tell a story with a single frame and to leave the audience wanting more. The world of journalism and photos is morphing together to engage the audience more and to evoke more feelings.