A Visual History
how photojournalism shaped history
The news plays a major part in how the general public views political matters, current events and international affairs.
Visual elements bring these words to realities, not just showing what happened, but telling a much deeper story
Lunch atop A Skyscraper Unknown, 1932
Men sit and eat lunch on top of what is now known as the GE Building in Manhattan. No safety restraints, no harnesses, no net below them. These men worked all day, walking along the beams that now support the buildings. Can you imagine sitting there with them?
According to Irish Filmmaker, Seán Ó Cualáin, that’s why this image is so iconic. “We can all place ourselves on that beam. I think that is why the photograph works.”
The Great Depression Dorothea Lange, 1939
“There she sat in that lean- to tent with her children huddled around her, and seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped me. There was a sort of equality about it.”
This photo provides a great connection to this woman and her struggle. She’s concerned in the eyes, her kids are hidden behind her, scared too. Her posture shows she’s tired and concerned. This is someone who wasn’t sure how much longer she could make it.
This was the reality of the Great Depression. Money was tight, food was scarce, families were making huge sacrifices just to stay alive.
World War Two Joe Rosenthal, Associated Press, Iwo Jima, 1945
This legendary photo not only gave a glimpse into the battlefield, but a glimpse of hope for Americans. One of the most widely circulated images of all time, it told a story, sparked emotion in nearly everyone who saw it and became a national icon. The men in uniform are all working together to raise the american flag. A symbol of everything they’re fighting for.
World War Two
Joe Rosenthal, Associated Press, Iwo Jima, 1945
Joe Rosenthal, Marine Photographer, captured the famous image on Iwo Jima on top of Mount Suribachi. This was the second of two flags raised that day, the first one was deemed too small by the US Commander. The area was still a war zone, and the simple task of raising a flag could be life threatening.
Rosenthal took the picture from slightly downhill, making the soldiers look like they were “rising out of the ashes”. The diagonal line of the flagpole and the balance of the soldiers underneath the flag make it visually pleasing.
Left: The first flag to be raise
Right: A later picture of the second flag
The Civil Rights Movement
Bob Adelman, Birmingham, Alabama, 1963
Taking you to the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement, this dramatic photo shows exactly what activists were facing. It depicts a group of protesters being sprayed down by high pressure fire hoses.
Visually, it’s a beautiful picture, but it’s shocking content is not lost. There’s a strong horizontal line with lost of movement on the left size that’s balanced out by the empty right side.
The Vietnam War Tim Page, 1960s
An exhausted soldier sits alongside his gun with his head down. This photo is by Tim Page, a very interesting man and an amazing photojournalist. Page viewed himself as one of the soldiers, which allowed him to get very personal pictures and dig deeper than just your standard war photo. He was known as one of the craziest and bravest photographer of the time. A mixture of fearlessness, near death experiences and drugs led him to become a successful battlefield photographer.
The Vietnam War Tim Page, 1960s
Page viewed his life as “free time” and took advantage of every situation he could get it. That meant jumping out of helicopters, being right in the line of fire, living like the soldiers and getting the shot, regardless of the risk.
Modern Day. Bob Owen, San Antonio Express-News, 2014
A young boy who died trying to enter the USA was found by Rafael Hernandez. This image shows the reality of those who are trying to enter the USA illegally. It dosen’t show a number or a dollar amount, it shows a little boy who lost his life a story of the family that had to leave him behind.
Photojournalism provides an insight into history, conflicts, far away places and current events. It can create a connection, even from across the world.
A picture can greatly change the mass’s opinion on a subject. It’s one thing to hear about it, but completely different to actually see it. These images can spark outrage, hope, sadness, fear and fascination.
Many of these pictures were not only circulated during their time, but have now since gone into history books, providing generations a view into that time period. These legendary photos show the situation in a beautiful and sometimes shocking way.
These brave men and women risk their lives to capture a moment that could change a life, an opinion or even history.
Sydney Croasmun, KHTS News, 2015