Capturing a meaning

Week 7's topic was 'pictures and sound', something I found quite interesting as I already have a love for photography.

Everyone knows the old saying  that 'a picture can tell a 1000 words', but it really is so true! The image that journalists use to represent their story is vital for viewers to understand and have an emotional connect to the story (from a personal viewpoint at least). I mean the image is how you visual imagine the situation or event. Within our lecture we focused on what qualities create a great photo.

Picture stories have evolved immensely since cave stories in 15,000-10,000 BC to holy books and stained glass and newspapers. Now, picture stories known as photojournalism, are evident almost everywhere, with even our perceptions being manipulated by the media. The most evident media distortion I know, is of the 2006 'Evolution' ad as part of the dove campaign for real beauty. The video involves a young woman ("pretty, but ordinary") who is transformed in under 2 minutes. Her make up, hair and photo enhancements really show how far companies will go to gain their audiences attention. However when is enough, enough? 

Digital manipulations are also evident prominently in magazines, online articles and newspapers. Editors are able to eliminate blotchy skin, hair, veins or scars, in addition to adding any features that they desire. Viewers, especially young teenagers, are believing that this is socially acceptable, that perfection is key. The introduction of 'filters' into social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram have created another world, for people to almost create their ideal look, which is another story completely. 

I cannot wait for our tutorial this week as we get to experiment with our cameras and the 'rule of thirds' to capture a news worthy image. The 'rule of thirds' is used by all photographers that strive on getting a great shot. Within the lecture, we all completed an activity in grounds, analysing images taken at Johnathon Thurston's aunty's funeral. The photographer, Marissa Calligeros, captured the 'news photo of the year' as she considered the framing, focus, angle/point of view, exposure, timing and most importantly capturing the "moment". 

Figure 1: 'Rule of Thirds'

"If it makes you laugh, if it makes you cry, if it rips out your heart, that's a good picture" - Eddie Adams