This is one shot from an essay I did on a woman with MS. Until this story was published she was being fought by social services every step of the way to get the care she needed even though her doctors had certified she was unable to work and qualified for complete disability.

After the story ran, things changed. Within a week she was approved for her benefits. In addition a number of concerned people from the community got together and helped secure a number of houshold items she desperatly needed. Things like beds for her children, clothing, washer/dryer etc...

The photo that Chuck posted along with some of the comments have got me thinking that it is really time for me to find a new story to tell.

This photo was shot during a junior fire fighters class at a local community college. After four days of classroom studies on fire prevention and safety, this young boy was the first in line to try on some real fire fighter gear.

The question is...
Does anyone else here find these photographs compelling, and does anyone here find photojournalism to be an art unto itself? Why, or why not?

These photos are very compelling! The first image makes me want know more. Why is the nurse there, what is happening to this young woman that gives her the need of a nurse? Why is she crossing her fingers? What is her hope other than the pain to go away? Not the pain of the IV but the pain of life. The second image shows such jubilation that it just makes me smile. I need that today. Photojournalism is most definitely an art unto itself! I mean yes every pictures is worth 1000 words, but to get the shot that says the right words and in the right way. The photographer that can capture that... That is a true artist. Magick Michael aka zhounder

These are wonderful, Alpha. One forgets in the age of a tame press corp, all spinning the same story with video/sound bits, that there are compelling stories down at the local and personal level.

Well, for certain the first photo maddens...not the content, but that it had to air before something was done. Reminds me of a few docudramas I've seen on TV where the insurance companys' policies was to deny ANYTHING that looked marginal and see if the claimants would just let it go. As to photojournalists, and speaking of maddening, I wonder what it feels like to spend your time trying to capture just the right moment as a person is dying when, perhaps, you could have put the camera down and rendered assistance. I wonder if photojournalism would be some sort of subcategory of photography. One thing is for sure...if a picture is worth (the proverbial) 1,000 words, then a correctly-done photo for journalism is probably worth 2,000 words. (reminds me of the question I posed to you in the chat a few days ago..."Was there much room for creativity in photojournalism?")

"does anyone here find photojournalism to be an art unto itself?" man, my like, 3rd day on the forum 2 years ago, you asked this... man do I remember the reactions...

Most definately! A photo which draws the viewer in, makes them ask questions, feel the story & even compelled to do something about it! It is most satisfying to know you have made a statement & provoked action without the need of words.

Thanks for the responses... It is good to see that there are a number of people here with broader minds than in the past.

@Misha... The best photojournalism and journalism in general is (IMHO) done at the community level. Pretty much all the national and international work being done in the USA papers and magazines today is what I would call a cross between propaganda and info-tainment.

@CE... There is absolutely a huge amount of room in photojournalism for creativity. This goes back to what we were discussing about seeing the image. While a true photojournalist will not fabricate a scene, it is truly a creative challenge to see the elements and put yourself in the position to create the image that tells the story.

Also @CE... Fortunately I have never had to face being in a life or death situation. This is an ethical question that is asked in every pj class around the world. Ultimately the choice is up to the individual. I know that for myself life comes before the shot. Others may feel differently, but that is their choice.

I know I have mentioned this in the past and gotten very little response, but if anyone is interested in finding, shooting and developing a photo essay, I would more than glad to help in any way I can. I am also sure something can be arranged to display the final work online.

I know that when I went to college the first time I went as a Communications major.....I knew that in some way shape or form I wanted to be involved. I had dreams of working in television/journalism or magazines....writing, speaking....I had no definite direction, but I just knew that was what I wanted to do. As I look at these....the gut reaction I experience from these is strong..... I'm going back to school once again in January. I had thought a Fine Arts degree might be nice. But in looking at these images.....it once again makes me realize how much of a difference photo-journalism can make, and how awesome such images can be. The university I'll be going to has a journalism program....I'm seriously beginning to think that I should do a minor in Communications or maybe flip the whole thing around and do the Art degree as a minor with a major in Communications......I really need to speak to that advisor. PS....these are awesome, wonderful, touching....thanks for sharing them.

Well speaking for myself and my family I do believe very much that great photo journalism does indeed take place at a community level where it can make a tremendous difference to ordinary peoples lives. My wife has MS and when her own plight with this illness was featured in our local newspaper very much as in your story, benefits and services were suddenly provided. The opposite side of the coin as you are suggesting is when a news story becomes the all important factor when the lives of those intruded upon can become a living hell.

The photojournalist probably has to be the most intuitive of all photogrphers. Being able to sense the potential of an image to convey an idea and then to get that image captured is a real challenge. The most admired photojournalists in the past were excellent, both technically and artistically and had the added ability to apply their skills using quick decisions and lots of film. This is an area of photography where constant practice is a necessary part of the job. Many times there are no second chances. I have asked artists about their inspiration and planning to produce a painting. You get an array of answers. There are the metilious ones and those who favor spontanity. Each has their place in the gallery. Bill

The raising of the flag on Iwo Jima

Marilyn Monroe with her dress billowing

Lee Harvey Oswald being shot

The young Vietnamese woman running towards the camera, burned with napalm

A Vietnamese General executing a prisoner

The most moving photo exhibit I have ever seen ? A collection called Migrations, by Sebastiao Salgado, displayed at the U. C. Berkeley Art Museum a while ago. (The photos are published in a book of the same name by Aperture.) I think what got to me was the vast scale of human suffering that these pictures showed.

I do a huge number of figure photos -- have done about 35,000 so far -- and while I continue to do about 5,000 of these a year, I am traveling now to West Africa, was there last month, will probably go again in a week or two, and have started with African photos.

I hope when it is all done and over I will leave something significant behind. I guess that's what we all hope for, isn't it?

You mentioned that list of memorable photos. Reminded me on a soldier returning home (may have been a hostage thingie) and was walking across the tarmac. I beleive it was his wife running toward him. I think hundreds of photos were taken that day, but someone culled all of them and chose one special shot(that got huge circulation). All the rest were "wannabees". Isn't it amazing what a tenth of a second can do?

The right tenth of a second seems to be 99% of success. And 99% of the right second also seems to be luck -- how fast can I click the shutter ?

Anyone else around here besides me have a list of photos you wish you had taken but weren't able to because you didn't have your camera with you when you saw them ?

I miss compelling photgraphy too. Gladly, in our own local newspaper there are always two "angle" photos in every newspaper. Every day, two really good and arty photos with more to tell than just "normal" journal photos can tell. In my humbe opinion, image from actual situation with strong message/story is always better than the most beautiful art pic you can ever take. One of the books I admire most, is book of journal photos of the year. Dunno have you guys peeked those images, but man, one just can't do such beautiful images in studio. Mostly horrible images, but somehow, so beautiful. Images like Richard said, young vietnamese napalm burnd girl running towards the camera. Beautiful images with horrible subject. Telling more than thousand words. Effecting more than thousand bombs, than thousand politicians. Does anyone have link for the site where one can find journal photos of the year? (I'm here tough mobile and don't have fast connection enough for searching.) .n ps. beautiful images Alpha, I really mean that.

Not sure Nico about photos of the year, but I think Time Magazine and Newsweek both have sections with awesome photojournalism in them. I know I've spent time there going thru the images.