Chapter 8

Photojournalism and Bias 

Going Home Image Source

In this image I see a bunch of different things and there is definitely a lot going on in this picture. This picture is of a marine that of the looks of it has lost someone very close to him or very important. This could be a friend or a loved one that he fought with. He is playing music through his accordion while clearly not being able to hold his emotions. Everyone else behind him or in the crowd are sad as well and looks like that they are crying as well. After reading this article it is stated that this man was mourning the loss of Franklin D. Rosevelt. FDR was one of the most beloved presidents in history, TIME magazine stated "The only man elected four times to the nation’s highest office (although he would die within months of being sworn in to his final term), Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s greatness can be measured, in one elemental sense, by the passions he still excites in both his supporters and detractors." This picture perhaps spoke for the whole country about the feelings of FDR passing away.



Principle 1: What feeling does the Image create?


This picture creates a ton of feelings. Obviously it creates a very sad picture because of the man crying playing the accordion. As humans we don't really like to see others cry so automatically makes for a sad picture. The people in the background are also crying and mourning someone.


Principle 2: Black and white or in color?


This picture happens to be black and white. I think that the Black and white intensifies and makes it more sad looking. In a sad movie or TV show normally when something is sad or depressing it's in black and white. Almost like a gloomy day. It's never really sunny out.


Principle 3: Background Compliments.


In this picture the people in the back crying really add to the picture as well. It adds a lot of emotion and feeling to the picture. Everyone in the picture crying sets up for a sad picture.

Image Source  Darryl Dick Truth

In this picture it clearly looks like all of these emotions are real and they are raw and they are from their heart. This is a picture after a huge playoff win so you can feel the energy and emotion right through this picture. For anyone that plays sports and have been to their respective playoffs for their sport they know what it feels like to get a big win or win a series. This picture really sticks out to me because it is a really fascinating picture due to the fact that I like hockey. This had to of been on the front page of the newspaper because it is so striking and vibrant and colorful. According to Yellow Journalism this picture might have been found in the New York Times "To a striking degree, features characteristic of the yellow press live on in American journalism, notably in the colorful page layouts that characterize such formerly staid titles that used to disparage the yellow press." It seems that colorful and striking pictures is what they were looking for and this picture fits that perfectly.






My way of knowing this picture is real falls under the category Emotion/Intuition. It is clear that all of the emotion in this picture are real and that they are not made up. Just looking at how everyone is so happy and jumping for joy really makes it evident that this picture is legit and not fake. Although this is my opinion today and this is what I think of the photo. Someone could think differently of this picture. Professor Nordell Mentions in Photojournalism and Bias part 1 "Things change over and truths change over time". Someone looking at the same image 5 years from now could think that it is not true. Not just this picture but pictures in general someone could think something completely different than someone else.


In or out focus:


This picture is clearly in focus. It bring so much affect and sharpness to the picture. These types of pictures are hard to get in focus. So it definitely adds affect to the picture.


Does the picture remind me of another Photograph?



This picture defiantly reminds me of a bunch of photographs. I have seen a lot of hockey pictures. There is something about this picture that got my attention and made me post about it.



What feelings does the image create?



This picture creates feelings of happiness and success. Obviously they are happy because they just won a series and you can see it on all of their faces. But I know they feel a great sense of success and accomplishment!

Not True 

Image Source McDonalds

This picture is something that really annoys me and needs to be brought to light. And I am not just talking about the burger itself. I am talking about false advertising. A company displays their products so much nicer and more delightful than what you actually get. This happens to be a Big Mac from McDonalds. And I can assure you when you get a burger form McDonalds it doesn't look like that. I deem this picture as being false because of Logic/Reason. I have been to McDonalds before so I have seen first hand you don't get what you see on advertisements!


The article How photos fuel the spread of fake news states it perfectly "These dirty tricks work because most people believe a photograph represents reality." People see these food commercials and think that is what they are getting and clearly that is not what they are receiving. It is not just in food but in other advertisements whatever it may be, does not match up in person. Obviously this is allowed to happen to a certain extent that why all the major companies are still allowed to do this. After reading The Rules of Photojournalism Are Keeping Us From the Truth a quote that really stuck out to me was "A technically proficient image may trick the viewer into thinking he or she is seeing something of substance." This goes for this picture as well as so many other pictures and videos on the internet. And it doesn't stop at just food. A picture of a skinny kid in Africa could be deemed as unhealthy and poor but off of camera he is very healthy and wealthy. You can only trust a picture to a certain degree!





Keep it simple


There is not much to say about this picture. It is a simple picture of a burger from McDonalds. Looks very delicious and is making me hungry!


Quality of light



The quality of light for this picture is very good. Makes the burger look professional and very good. Looks like there was a lot of light shining on this burger before it was eaten.


Obvious main subject



The subject is in the center of the picture. It would look strange if it was off to the left or right. It makes sense for this burger to be centered and in the middle of the frame.