The essence of photojournalism

up:date January 16, 2023 by Jans Bock-Schroeder

Photojournalism combines the art of photography with the power of storytelling. Photojournalists document the world and bring important stories to light - from capturing unadulterated emotion to highlighting pressing issues. The powerful storytelling of photojournalism uses outstanding images to substantiate and document immediate moments and cutting-edge news stories.

Capturing the Moment

Peruvian militart training with wooden guns
Peru, 1953

Photojournalism shapes great moments in the public consciousness and elicits truth from the ordinary. It reveals the hidden defeats of the powerful and uncovers the unspoken majesty of the vulnerable.

The term photojournalism is composed of the words "photo" (an abbreviation of photography, from ancient Greek, loosely translated as "drawing with light") and "journalism".

The concept of the decisive moment

Israeli soldiers engaged during the Suez crisis
Israel, 1956

Sometimes the terms press photography, documentary photography, photo reportage, street-photography or editorial photography are also used. Photojournalism is based on both photographic and journalistic methods.

The Art of Storytelling Through a Lens

Photo reportage applies the language and techniques of photography to cover the events in politics, culture, and other areas of social importance

The power of a single image

Man purchases Coca Leaf over the counter in Bolivia, 1952
Coca Leaf over the counter, Bolivia 1952

Photojournalism is a form of journalism that uses photographs to tell a news story or document an event. For over a century, photojournalists have been at the forefront of documenting the world's major events and bringing important stories to the public eye.

The impact of photojournalism

Cashiers and customers in a grocery store of the 50s in Alaska
Grocery store, Alaska 1952

In today's digital age, photojournalism has become an increasingly important part of the media landscape, as images and video play a central role in how we consume and understand the news. From conflict zones to natural disasters to political rallies, photojournalists are on the front lines, capturing the raw and often harrowing images that help us understand the world around us.

Beyond the Headlines

Woman feeding her baby outdoors in postwar Ruhr area
Postwar Ruhr Area

But photojournalism is not just about taking pictures. It is also about telling a story through those pictures. Whether it is a single image or a series of photographs, a good photojournalist knows how to use composition, lighting, and other technical elements to convey a message or emotion.

The art of telling a story through photographs

Two women in a female prison in Peru, 1954
Women in jail, Peru 1954

The role of photojournalism in today's media landscape is more important than ever, as images have the power to inspire, educate, and mobilize. Whether through traditional news outlets or social media platforms, photojournalists continue to play a vital role in bringing important stories to the public eye and helping us make sense of the world around us.

In situation photography, i.e. photojournalism, staging reality inevitably involves choosing the decisive moment.


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