The changing face of photojournalism - Indiana University School of ...

Deirdre Read, BA’02Deirdre ReadJensen Walker, BAJ’01Jensen WalkerPhotojournalismby Ben WellerIn a world awash in images, at a time when newtools are making possible some of the most graphicand cutting-edge visual storytelling ever seen,photojournalists are finding it increasingly difficult tocome up with the resources to tell the world’s storiesthrough pictures.newspapers and magazines, the traditional bastionsof photojournalism, are closing or scaling back.At the same time, digital photography is everywhereand in the hands of everyone. Amateurs are publishingtheir pictures on the web, sometimes supplyingpictures at no cost to those same magazines andnewspapers that have laid off their photo staffs.But while the new day is one of insecrityand uncertainty, it’s also one of opportunity.Photojournalists are finding new ways to tell storiesand to stay afloat in a rising tide of images andimage makers.At the school of journalism, students learn stilland video photography, design, audio, and how topackage images, sound and words. Those skills willbe invaluable for young photojournalists, but theirsuccess ultimately will hinge on their creativity, entrepreneurshipand communication skills.“whether you agree with the direction of themarketplace or not, the opportunities today are inbeing able to tell stories effectively, and quickly, in avariety of media, especially on news websites, withwords serving as a strong counterpoint, or partner,to images,” says photojournalism professor steveraymer. “specialization for all but the most gifted isan idea for a bygone age.”raymer says he tries to help students developthe business skills he believes they will need in thefuture.“we live in a visual age in which photographersmust learn to make images that can serve multiplepurposes, multiple markets, and multiple clients,”he says. “I tell students that the job isn’t done untilthey have found a symbolic image, an image thatgoes beyond the specific editorial purpose of theirassignment to crystallize an idea, an emotion ora larger theme that can be used, or published, amonth, a year or a decade from now in an entirelydifferent medium.”Photojournalism alumni are learning those lessonson the job. Newswire spoke by phone with sixjournalism and student media alumni working inphotojournalism about their careers and the strategiesthey’re employing to stay relevant in a rapidlychanging industry. Their stories testify not just tothe seismic shifts in photojournalism, but also totheir enthusiasm for storytelling and the new waysthey’re finding to tell those stories.< 24 > newswire / spring 2010