Project Rough Draft -- for editing purposes ONLY
Journalism 791 Final Project Rough Draft
Professor Lenert
Internet Photo Organization
&
the Future of Visual Journalism
by Marti Howell
November 23, 2005
Contents:
· Introduction
· News Photograph Overview
· Diffusion of Images
· Photo-tagging and the News Desk…
· Community 2.0
· Impact on Journalism
· The Future
· Why This Should Matter to Editors
· Links to Popular Photo-display Sites
· Conclusion
· Annotated Bibliography
INTRODUCTION:
Under the photo tag “fog” on the popular Internet photo-display site Flickr, there are misty images from every corner of the world. Some belong to sets of pictures by an individual photographer, some are part of “fog” pools, sets of shots contributed by a number of artists, and some are just lone images tagged “fog.”
Though Flickr, Buzznet and sites like them are a relatively new discovery for most photographers, they already contain a vast array of tags and an enormous number of photos.
Photojournalists who embrace this technology and editors who understand its implications stand to gain in the immediate future.
This chapter will explore three aspects of Internet photo-organizing technology in which photojournalists may be interested:
· How photo-tagging technology can assist various media desks with their visual goals.
· How sites like Flickr create communities that move photographers closer to a Web 2.0 world.
· How photo-tagging technology is changing journalism and what the future may hold.
Editors now have access to images from around the world on a practically endless list of subjects on sites like Flickr.
“Imagine if you were a photo editor at a major publication,” says media expert Mark Glaser, “and you could search through every digital photo on every computer in the world to put together a feature.”
This “global photo album,” as Glaser calls it, will be invaluable to the new wave of citizen journalists. (Glaser, 2005)
Photographers now have an audience the scope of which they could not even have imagined just a few years ago. On Flickr, they can connect with other photographers, hone their photo-editing skills and find inspiration. In short, these photographers – professional and aspiring – form a community.
Access to images on this scale can only result in shifts in the realm of journalism. Internet photo-organizing technology has already changed the way photographs are diffused around the world. The future of visual journalism will likely be very different than the business is today.
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH OVERVIEW:
What is a traditional news photograph?
A traditional news photograph at a newspaper is usually taken by newspaper staff. Photos published on the front page (and often on section fronts) are in color.
Most other photographs in the paper are black and white.
At newspapers like the Times-News in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the Guymon (Oklahoma) Daily Herald, the staff photographers are responsible for news photos, advertising photos and even graphic design. File photos are often used – even for front-page stories – at these midsize newspapers (circulation 2,000-20,000).
At larger papers like the New York Times (circulation 12-20 million), there may be photographers who specialize in one type of photo or image. For example, there may be two art designers that deal only in informational graphics and maps and a second team who create photo illustrations.
Newspapers large and small frequently use “stand-alone” photos – most often these appear on the front page. A stand-alone photo does not accompany a story. It tells its own story. It frequently has a longer caption than other photos but may have only a few words of explanation. Some examples of frequently-used stand-alone subjects are the passing of the seasons, children in various weather conditions, animals crossing roads or otherwise mixing with civilization and groundbreaking ceremonies and parades.
The rule of thumb in all newspaper art departments is that local images are often more newsworthy than national or international photos. This is called the “backyard” theory wherein images of what happens in a media outlet’s “backyard” or immediate proximity are of more interest to the audience that photos of far-away places and events.
Note: A traditional file photo is usually one that a newspaper has run in a previous story, although it may be one that a staffer took and stored, unpublished.
What is a news photo’s function?
A journalistic photograph:
· Either provides an illustration for an accompanying story or stands alone as a story in itself.
· Provides balance to a newspaper page – photos are the anchor of a broadsheet layout.
· Gives the page white space – as integral piece of the layout puzzle.
· Makes the newspaper and the story more appealing to the reader.
· May be an informational graphic, a photo illustration or a file photo.
DIFFUSION OF IMAGES:
How does the media get news photographs?
The old way:
· Newspaper photographer takes a picture on film (the really old way) or with a digital camera.
· The picture is developed in a darkroom (old) or uploaded into the newspaper’s computer system (EPS process).
· It is set onto x-ray layout plates (old) or sent electronically to layout (EPS).
· Negatives are filed by the photographer in darkroom files (old) or in the newspaper’s computer system (EPS).
· Wire service images are picked up by most newspapers.
· Most photos in the newspaper are still black and white.
The new way:
· Newspapers: Photographers still take photos and newspapers still use wire service images but Internet and photo-editing software have made the process much faster and easier.
· Internet news outlets: Photo sharing has made an infinite number of images available to anyone with Internet access.
· Flickr features:
· RSS system
· Easy uploading tools for Windows and Macintosh
· Tags and privacy settings
· A mobile version of the website for viewing photos on web-enabled cell phone or PDA
· Photos may be sent directly to any blog, by email
· Group photo pools so many people can put their photos of an event, say, in one place.
· Organizr to sort photos
PHOTO-TAGGING & THE NEWS DESK… AND THE WEATHER DESK AND THE FEATURES DESK…:
As Mark Glaser notes, editors now have at their disposal thousands upon thousands of images. Some early adopters of this technology are already putting those photographs to work. Journalists like New York Times Magazine columnist Rob Walker and Boston Globe technology editor D.C. Denison have used images from Flickr in their reporting. Several newspapers have set up photo galleries on their websites to showcase shots taken by citizen photographers. (Glaser, 2005)
As more and more of these photographs find their way into the media, the product is dramatically altered. The news desk may now include photos with most local news stories instead of just a few. A story on an isolated or rural part of a community, which once would have been printed with no visual element, may now take the media consumer to the “backyard” where the story originated.
Weather reporters can use photographs to illustrate the effects of major disaster stories. Images from citizen photographers show the public exactly what the victims of such disasters see during the event. Pictures from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina – taken by local citizen photojournalists and published on websites like the Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World online edition – are a fine example of this process at work.
Features editors may stand to benefit the most. No other type of story depends more on visuals than a feature. For example, suppose a feature writer wanted to write a story about the increasing popularity of voodoo dolls. It is unlikely the photographers at his publication would have a file of such photos. However, using Flickr, he can choose from dozens of images suited to his topic.
Flickr Example
The following sample set of photos shows what can be gleaned from one popular photo-sharing website.
Assignment: Find photographs to illustrate various voodoo doll styles:
http://Please see link on this page or visit www.flickr.com/photos/westernphotog/favorites/show/
Assessment: It would have taken the feature writer many weeks to gather these images without an Internet photo-sharing site. Perhaps he would not be able to write features on topics such as these in the traditional newsroom. In the virtual newsroom, the compiling of these images took less than two hours and involved only one photo-sharing site – and just the most interesting shots were assembled here. The reporter was able to view dozens of images… instantly.
Citizen journalists and the future of participatory journalism depend on how well technology like photo tagging works. When the public can share images with the media, citizen reporting is enriched with visual appeal comparable to that of mainstream media outlets.
“The thing about Flickr and Buzznet is that they grew out of the exploding ease and efficiency for individuals to document their world,” media expert Mark Glaser explains. (Glaser, 2005)
Editors like John Robinson of the Greensboro(North Carolina) News & Record call this “open-source journalism.” By gathering information from professional journalists and citizen journalists alike, he believes that a more productive exchange of ideas can be facilitated.
“Please join us in this conversation,” he urges other newspapermen. “It’s where the future is.” (CITATION PENDING)
Interview with media expert to follow…
COMMUNITY 2.0:
Being a part of an Internet photo-display community has rewards and risks. Much like eBay, that relies on members’ sense of fairness, sites like Flickr require users to act on faith to some degree. They are expected to be respectful of their fellow artists by not posting obscene material, by not maliciously altering other photographers’ tags and by not publicly and baselessly criticizing the work of others.
In exchange for exhibiting these self-imposed standards, members reap a great many benefits. Photographers learn how to be better at their craft. By seeing the work of a vast number of diverse artists – from backyard “snapshotographers” (a term coined by University of Nevada, Reno journalism alumnus Josh Kenzer) to professional photojournalists. In addition, Flickr makes it easy to add favorite artists and favorite shots to one’s own page. These serve as a constant source of inspiration to members.
Interview with Flickr photog to follow…
Then there are the actual contacts that may be made on sites like Flickr. The site allows members to contact one another from the home page. Any photographer can ask any other photographer any question he wants. It is like having thousands of instructors from all disciplines of the visual arts. Their collective knowledge on photography is at the disposal of even the newest member.
Interview with Flickr photog to follow…
Beyond that, Flickr and sites like it are pure democracies. Every photographer is equally important in the community. The front page of the site features photos that possess “interestingness,” as Flickr puts it. The featured photographers range from professionals with decades of experience to novice photographers using their first digital camera. Some of the shots originate on film, others are digital. They represent many cultures of the world and all manner of subjects. According to Flickr, they need only be visually fabulous in some way or another. Everybody who uploads photos to Flickr has an equal chance of being on the front page. This is not so in the traditional hierarchy of newspaper darkrooms.
There are some risks, however, to posting photos on Flickr, especially those the user categorizes on the site as “public” images, meaning all users may view them and, presumably, appropriate them for their own purposes. There is also the remote possibility that a photographer’s work will be unduly criticized in such a public forum.
Also, as early adopters of a new photo-technology, artists will undoubtedly face the same scrutiny that early Photoshop software users did. Media consumers and critics reserve for photographs alone a particular mistrust. In fact, visual journalism may be the only media product that immediately causes suspicion in the wake of technological advance.
“Are the photos altered,” dubious consumers and media critics ask, “are these pictures ‘real’.”
However, declining to participate defeats the purpose of “community.” Nothing but visual satisfaction can be gained by only looking at photos on a site like Flickr. To reap the benefits of any community, one must truly belong to that community. Thus, a little leap of faith is in order.
Interview with Flickr photog to follow…
Another fear of such photo-sharing sites is the idea that they will ultimately cost some photojournalists their jobs. Mark Glaser discusses the trend of more news sources that rely upon amateur video to fill visual news holes. He expresses fears that videographers may lose their jobs to outside submissions.
Interview with local photographer to follow…
Almost all of the photos on Flickr are visually stunning. This is the result of perhaps two factors: a competitive environment and a photographer’s pride. Photographers who see gorgeous photos on Flickr are inspired to post their best work. The skills of the other photographers are viewed as a level to which a photographer hopes to ascend. Beyond that, a photographer’s Flickr page is a showcase for his work. A deep sense of pride can be found in compiling a beautiful online portfolio.
For good or ill, photo-sharing communities are already established and, from all indications, are flourishing. Those these are indeed the early days of photo-sharing, interest is high. While each artist must make his own decision, it is apparent that the benefits of participation in communities like Flickr can often outweigh the costs for photographers from all points on the spectrum.
Interview with Flickr photographer to follow…
IMPACT ON JOURNALISM:
How have tagged photos changed journalism?
Experts like Glaser say that sites like Flickr and Buzznet will advance citizen journalism. (Glaser, 2005)
The new media created by the addition of citizen journalists and photo-organizing technology will incorporate aspects of journalism that may differ greatly from the traditional. As ordinary people begin to post their dispatches to the Internet – sometimes on established news websites like MSNBC.com – they begin to engage in a “conversation” with the media and the public. Media experts like Rob Runett, director of electronic communication at the Newspaper Association of America, Inc., claims that reporting is no longer a “one-way street.”
Runett also points out that competition from numerous local sites has resulted in newspapers’ scrambling to connect with their audiences. This is when newspapers begin to engage in “people-focused” news, he says. (E-MEDIA: Internet, Convergence, Emerging Technologies; The Digital Edge; p. 59)
Conan Gallaty, director of new media at the San Francisco Chronicle agrees that newspapers need to perfect the delivery of their product on the Internet. The Internet is a decidedly visual medium. Access to an endless stream of photographs would go a long way in that direction.
Gallaty states that “newspapers have a short window to grab this market.” (E-MEDIA: Internet, Convergence, Emerging Technologies; The Digital Edge; p. 59)
One Kansas newspaper is fully immersed in an Internet news operation. The Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World now offers its product online. Specializing in local news, the LJW website includes several community “sections” and a page where the public can weigh in on issues in the news. (O’Brien, 2005).
The LJW online edition also has several photo galleries featuring citizen photographs. Citizen photo galleries at other online papers are not far behind – more than a dozen newspapers already have such pages in their online editions. (Glaser, 2005)
LJW publisher Dolph C. Simons, Jr., says that the goal of his publication is to nurture the ever-evolving relationship between the paper and its readers. Simons explains the philosophy at his publication: “We believe that journalism has been a monologue for so long and now is the perfect time for it to become a dialogue with our readers. We want readers to think of this as their paper, not our paper.”
Some new media pioneers, like Simons, also believe that the more interactive media of the near-future has the power to make American society more democratic. Simons explains why this matters in his community: “It’s a real town with a real soul where people like to get involved. People here care about what Lawrence will become.” (O’Brien, 2005).
Today, at least in Lawrence, people interested in the welfare of their community have an opportunity to participate in a public conversation about almost any subject they choose. This is possible for two reasons: widespread access to Internet technology and the vision of a few publishers like Simons. When visual journalism is added to this mix, the result is an even better online story.
Because hyper-local and on-demand news coverage is becoming routine for many young adults, that group harbors expectations much higher than people who came to rely on traditional media. This large audience is no longer content with waiting until the morning newspaper hits the street or even until the evening news comes on the television. These young news consumers want their news delivered 24-hours-a-day. And they want to see what is happening. There is no reason to assume that such a trend could be halted, reversed or even slowed at this point.
Pictures make a story come alive.
Citizen journalism can do more than just make news ultra-local. It has the potential to create a more democratic media on a national level. Citizen journalists, and now citizen photographers, have an opportunity to pursue journalism endeavors in a fashion they have never known before. (Kopytoff, 2005)
The new citizen journalist has a digital camera. He need not wait until the mainstream media deems his story newsworthy – he can simply cover it himself. He can take pictures to accompany his story. He can bring his subject to the world online. He insists on a personal level of engagement with his world and his media. Internet photo-sharing makes this relationship richer. (Brown, 2005)
In the absence of formal training, these new “photojournalists” would never have had the opportunity to participate in this type of media photography without the advances afforded by the Internet. More voices equals more democracy. Virtually every person with access to the Internet can now make a difference.
Proponents feel that citizen journalism eases the ills of professional reporters. After years of news reporting within certain boundaries, there are some journalists who can no longer recognize news, some critics note. These reporters may well be in need of citizens who will fill that “watchdog” position now. In addition, citizen journalists may bring a fresh eye to old news, citizen photojournalists a new view of the world. It is sometimes difficult for a reporter or photographer deeply embedded in a story to get that perspective. Journalists may become be a part of a larger body of concerned citizens dedicated to the common good.( Palser, 2005)
Editors like John Robinson of the Greensboro News & Record call this “open-source journalism.” By gathering information and images from professional journalists and citizen journalists alike, he believes that a more productive exchange of ideas can be facilitated.
“Please join us in this conversation,” he urges other newspapermen. “It’s where the future is.” (Palser, 2005)
Of course, this conversation results in not only news sources that have been revamped to include participatory journalism, but ultimately results in entirely new venues from which information may be obtained. Just as there is an increasing number of diverse voices in the news, there are also more and more avenues to disseminate those views. Wikipedia is an example of information created – in democratic form, more or less – by members of a group. Writers work together, editing and adding and re-editing web pages, to collectively publish information. (Wikipedia.com).
On Flickr, photographers can be members of the larger photo-sharing community, be members of smaller groups or pools and comment and receive comments on photos. As noted earlier, all members of Flickr share equal status in terms of exposure. Also, anyone with Internet access is guaranteed a chance to participate, regardless of skill level or financial consideration. On its website, Flickr promises that “There will always be a free version” of the photo-display site. (Flickr.com).
Dan Gillmor notes that barriers to information are being removed. This, he asserts, will result in a better media. He and Michael Fitzgerald point to the benefits of being able to tap into the “collective intelligence.” In Gillmor’s We the Media, he notes that blogging, the Short Message System (SMS) and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) are the specific technologies that are allowing more and more people to provide content in the Internet news arena. Gillmor claims that this will result in a better-informed public and, thus, a better media system. (Fitzgerald, 2005)
The group of journalists and photojournalists who can overcome their apprehensions is poised to create a better newsroom. It is an opportunity to establish community connections, make the news more interesting to everyone and make his job more exciting and informative. With sites like Flickr and Buzznet, he can also make it more visually captivating. (Porter, 2005)
For those who continue to try to make it viable, the rewards of incorporating citizen journalism into the mainstream media will likely be immense. The first media outlets that successfully harness the power of the Internet will profit with better marketing relationships, a higher readership and, ultimately, a favorable reputation in the web-based news world. Regardless of potential failures in early attempts to engage the new audience, the motivations – to involve the news consumer, to create equality in news, photo-gathering and coverage – are worth pursuing.
Quote: Flickr photog…
Economically, the future of news consumption appears to be on the Internet. If that is where the consumers are, then that is where the advertising dollars need to go. Subsequently, investing in this new market will likely bring excellent returns. Socially, the Internet is, at this very moment, allowing citizen journalists and photographers a communications platform that they have never had before.
Already, the news media is more diverse and more democratic for the presence and accessibility of their voices.
Journalistically, anything that results in more detailed, more accurate news is bound to improve journalism as a whole. The diversity that makes this emerging media landscape more interesting socially also makes it more complete journalistically. Images are an integral part of this equation.
THE FUTURE:
The traditional value of local images is greatly enhanced by the availability of images on sites like Flickr. In a time when more and more news consumers expect custom, on-demand news, access to this vast library of visuals is invaluable.
What further influence might these communities have?
One may reasonable expect that there will be more tagged-photo websites in the future. As more people gain access, more tagged photos will appear. Software will likely become even easier to use. Photographers of all persuasions will find an audience. Their skills will improve, their pictures will become even more stunning. All the world will be brighter for their contributions.
WHY THIS SHOULD MATTER TO EDITORS:
The Internet is a visual medium. All of the purposes that a news photo serves – as illustration, as layout aid, as art, as appeal to audience – are enhanced in this medium. Unlike newspapers and television, the Internet has never been confined to mostly black and white photos. Most newspaper photos are still black and white.
As always, visuals are the key to attracting – and aesthetically pleasing – news consumers. Visuals are one of the features that made the Web so appealing in the first place. As time and technological advances weave an ever-more-complex web, the manner in which images are formed, stored and shared will become more important.
It would behoove editors to keep up with this quickly-changing aspect of the Internet news media, as consumers are already on board.
LINKS TO PHOTO SITES:
No report on visual journalism would be complete without visual aids.
The following links take you to a couple of my photo sites:
www.flickr.com/photos/westernphotog/
martihowell.buzznet.com/user/
HOW TO USE FLICKR:
***EDITOR: JAMIE – HELP PLEASE…
I THOUGHT WE DECIDED THERE WOULD BE A STANDARD FORMAT FOR THE “HOW-TO” SECTIONS. DO YOU HAVE THAT FORMAT FINALIZED YET? ***
TWO WAYS FOR PHOTOJOURNALISTS TO USE FLICKR TODAY:
The best way for you to learn how to manage photographs on photo-tagging sites like Flickr and Buzznet is to upload some pictures and begin tagging them, arranging them in sets and then, perhaps, rearranging them. Look at the pages of fellow members of your new community. Be inspired… and be open to all of the possibilities that these sites hold for YOU.
Two ways for photojournalists to use Flickr today:
· As a set, create a professional or personal portfolio of photos you already have on your computer – be creative, change the photos often to improve your page, take pride in the new display of your work.
· Use Flickr to compile images for a story or photo essay you may be interested in doing. Use the pictures to pitch your idea to your editor. Be inspired by the work of other photographers. Post your own photos under established tags and in tagged pools. Comment on your favorite shots. Be a part of the community.
· Bonus: Meet some of the photographers whose work you admire. Make contacts and learn from them. Improve your own skills. QUOTE FROM FLICKR INTERVIEW…
CONCLUSION:
Photo-tagging is excellent… no really, I got nothing here…
***PROJECT PARTNER: GANG – HELP PLEASE…
SHOULD I JUST RESTATE MY THREE MAIN POINTS OR WHAT? ***
BIBLIOGRAPHY
******NOTE TO EDITOR: JAMIE – ANNOTATED BIBLIO PENDING,
BIBLIO MAY INCLUDE SOURCES NOT CITED IN TEXT…****
Brown, M. (2005). What’s the future of the news business? Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Fitzgerald, M. (2005). Group rethink. Technologyreview.com.
Glaser, M. (2005, November 15). Flickr, Buzznet expand citizens’ role in visual journalism. USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review.
Glaser, M. (2005, July 28). Video journalists: Inevitable revolution or way to cut TV jobs? USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review.
Kopytoff, V. (2005, June 6). Citizen journalism takes root online. San Francisco Chronicle.
O’Brien, T.L. (2005, June 26). The newspaper of the future. Nytimes.com.
Palser, B. (2005, Aug./Sept.). Journalism’s backseat drivers. AJR.
Porter, T. (2005, June 20). The mood of the newsroom. Handout: Journalism 791, University of Nevada, Reno: Fall 2005: Dr. E. Lenert.
Rheingold, H. (2005). Smart mobs. smartmobs.com.
Runett, R. (2005, May). Novel today, common tomorrow. Newspaper Association of America.
Shirky, C. (2003, Feb. 8). Power laws, weblogs and inequality. clay@shirky.com.
Vara, V. (2005, April 11). News sites solicit articles straight from readers. wallstreetjournal.com.
Wikipedia. (2005). Social network. Wikipedia.com.
Professor Lenert
Internet Photo Organization
&
the Future of Visual Journalism
special thanks to my project partner, Gang “Wolfgang” Wu, and our 791 project editor, Jamie Fields
by Marti Howell
November 23, 2005
Contents:
· Introduction
· News Photograph Overview
· Diffusion of Images
· Photo-tagging and the News Desk…
· Community 2.0
· Impact on Journalism
· The Future
· Why This Should Matter to Editors
· Links to Popular Photo-display Sites
· Conclusion
· Annotated Bibliography
INTRODUCTION:
Under the photo tag “fog” on the popular Internet photo-display site Flickr, there are misty images from every corner of the world. Some belong to sets of pictures by an individual photographer, some are part of “fog” pools, sets of shots contributed by a number of artists, and some are just lone images tagged “fog.”
Though Flickr, Buzznet and sites like them are a relatively new discovery for most photographers, they already contain a vast array of tags and an enormous number of photos.
Photojournalists who embrace this technology and editors who understand its implications stand to gain in the immediate future.
This chapter will explore three aspects of Internet photo-organizing technology in which photojournalists may be interested:
· How photo-tagging technology can assist various media desks with their visual goals.
· How sites like Flickr create communities that move photographers closer to a Web 2.0 world.
· How photo-tagging technology is changing journalism and what the future may hold.
Editors now have access to images from around the world on a practically endless list of subjects on sites like Flickr.
“Imagine if you were a photo editor at a major publication,” says media expert Mark Glaser, “and you could search through every digital photo on every computer in the world to put together a feature.”
This “global photo album,” as Glaser calls it, will be invaluable to the new wave of citizen journalists. (Glaser, 2005)
Photographers now have an audience the scope of which they could not even have imagined just a few years ago. On Flickr, they can connect with other photographers, hone their photo-editing skills and find inspiration. In short, these photographers – professional and aspiring – form a community.
Access to images on this scale can only result in shifts in the realm of journalism. Internet photo-organizing technology has already changed the way photographs are diffused around the world. The future of visual journalism will likely be very different than the business is today.
NEWS PHOTOGRAPH OVERVIEW:
What is a traditional news photograph?
A traditional news photograph at a newspaper is usually taken by newspaper staff. Photos published on the front page (and often on section fronts) are in color.
Most other photographs in the paper are black and white.
At newspapers like the Times-News in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the Guymon (Oklahoma) Daily Herald, the staff photographers are responsible for news photos, advertising photos and even graphic design. File photos are often used – even for front-page stories – at these midsize newspapers (circulation 2,000-20,000).
At larger papers like the New York Times (circulation 12-20 million), there may be photographers who specialize in one type of photo or image. For example, there may be two art designers that deal only in informational graphics and maps and a second team who create photo illustrations.
Newspapers large and small frequently use “stand-alone” photos – most often these appear on the front page. A stand-alone photo does not accompany a story. It tells its own story. It frequently has a longer caption than other photos but may have only a few words of explanation. Some examples of frequently-used stand-alone subjects are the passing of the seasons, children in various weather conditions, animals crossing roads or otherwise mixing with civilization and groundbreaking ceremonies and parades.
The rule of thumb in all newspaper art departments is that local images are often more newsworthy than national or international photos. This is called the “backyard” theory wherein images of what happens in a media outlet’s “backyard” or immediate proximity are of more interest to the audience that photos of far-away places and events.
Note: A traditional file photo is usually one that a newspaper has run in a previous story, although it may be one that a staffer took and stored, unpublished.
What is a news photo’s function?
A journalistic photograph:
· Either provides an illustration for an accompanying story or stands alone as a story in itself.
· Provides balance to a newspaper page – photos are the anchor of a broadsheet layout.
· Gives the page white space – as integral piece of the layout puzzle.
· Makes the newspaper and the story more appealing to the reader.
· May be an informational graphic, a photo illustration or a file photo.
DIFFUSION OF IMAGES:
How does the media get news photographs?
The old way:
· Newspaper photographer takes a picture on film (the really old way) or with a digital camera.
· The picture is developed in a darkroom (old) or uploaded into the newspaper’s computer system (EPS process).
· It is set onto x-ray layout plates (old) or sent electronically to layout (EPS).
· Negatives are filed by the photographer in darkroom files (old) or in the newspaper’s computer system (EPS).
· Wire service images are picked up by most newspapers.
· Most photos in the newspaper are still black and white.
The new way:
· Newspapers: Photographers still take photos and newspapers still use wire service images but Internet and photo-editing software have made the process much faster and easier.
· Internet news outlets: Photo sharing has made an infinite number of images available to anyone with Internet access.
· Flickr features:
· RSS system
· Easy uploading tools for Windows and Macintosh
· Tags and privacy settings
· A mobile version of the website for viewing photos on web-enabled cell phone or PDA
· Photos may be sent directly to any blog, by email
· Group photo pools so many people can put their photos of an event, say, in one place.
· Organizr to sort photos
PHOTO-TAGGING & THE NEWS DESK… AND THE WEATHER DESK AND THE FEATURES DESK…:
As Mark Glaser notes, editors now have at their disposal thousands upon thousands of images. Some early adopters of this technology are already putting those photographs to work. Journalists like New York Times Magazine columnist Rob Walker and Boston Globe technology editor D.C. Denison have used images from Flickr in their reporting. Several newspapers have set up photo galleries on their websites to showcase shots taken by citizen photographers. (Glaser, 2005)
As more and more of these photographs find their way into the media, the product is dramatically altered. The news desk may now include photos with most local news stories instead of just a few. A story on an isolated or rural part of a community, which once would have been printed with no visual element, may now take the media consumer to the “backyard” where the story originated.
Weather reporters can use photographs to illustrate the effects of major disaster stories. Images from citizen photographers show the public exactly what the victims of such disasters see during the event. Pictures from 2005’s Hurricane Katrina – taken by local citizen photojournalists and published on websites like the Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World online edition – are a fine example of this process at work.
Features editors may stand to benefit the most. No other type of story depends more on visuals than a feature. For example, suppose a feature writer wanted to write a story about the increasing popularity of voodoo dolls. It is unlikely the photographers at his publication would have a file of such photos. However, using Flickr, he can choose from dozens of images suited to his topic.
Flickr Example
The following sample set of photos shows what can be gleaned from one popular photo-sharing website.
Assignment: Find photographs to illustrate various voodoo doll styles:
http://Please see link on this page or visit www.flickr.com/photos/westernphotog/favorites/show/
Assessment: It would have taken the feature writer many weeks to gather these images without an Internet photo-sharing site. Perhaps he would not be able to write features on topics such as these in the traditional newsroom. In the virtual newsroom, the compiling of these images took less than two hours and involved only one photo-sharing site – and just the most interesting shots were assembled here. The reporter was able to view dozens of images… instantly.
Citizen journalists and the future of participatory journalism depend on how well technology like photo tagging works. When the public can share images with the media, citizen reporting is enriched with visual appeal comparable to that of mainstream media outlets.
“The thing about Flickr and Buzznet is that they grew out of the exploding ease and efficiency for individuals to document their world,” media expert Mark Glaser explains. (Glaser, 2005)
Editors like John Robinson of the Greensboro(North Carolina) News & Record call this “open-source journalism.” By gathering information from professional journalists and citizen journalists alike, he believes that a more productive exchange of ideas can be facilitated.
“Please join us in this conversation,” he urges other newspapermen. “It’s where the future is.” (CITATION PENDING)
Interview with media expert to follow…
COMMUNITY 2.0:
Being a part of an Internet photo-display community has rewards and risks. Much like eBay, that relies on members’ sense of fairness, sites like Flickr require users to act on faith to some degree. They are expected to be respectful of their fellow artists by not posting obscene material, by not maliciously altering other photographers’ tags and by not publicly and baselessly criticizing the work of others.
In exchange for exhibiting these self-imposed standards, members reap a great many benefits. Photographers learn how to be better at their craft. By seeing the work of a vast number of diverse artists – from backyard “snapshotographers” (a term coined by University of Nevada, Reno journalism alumnus Josh Kenzer) to professional photojournalists. In addition, Flickr makes it easy to add favorite artists and favorite shots to one’s own page. These serve as a constant source of inspiration to members.
Interview with Flickr photog to follow…
Then there are the actual contacts that may be made on sites like Flickr. The site allows members to contact one another from the home page. Any photographer can ask any other photographer any question he wants. It is like having thousands of instructors from all disciplines of the visual arts. Their collective knowledge on photography is at the disposal of even the newest member.
Interview with Flickr photog to follow…
Beyond that, Flickr and sites like it are pure democracies. Every photographer is equally important in the community. The front page of the site features photos that possess “interestingness,” as Flickr puts it. The featured photographers range from professionals with decades of experience to novice photographers using their first digital camera. Some of the shots originate on film, others are digital. They represent many cultures of the world and all manner of subjects. According to Flickr, they need only be visually fabulous in some way or another. Everybody who uploads photos to Flickr has an equal chance of being on the front page. This is not so in the traditional hierarchy of newspaper darkrooms.
There are some risks, however, to posting photos on Flickr, especially those the user categorizes on the site as “public” images, meaning all users may view them and, presumably, appropriate them for their own purposes. There is also the remote possibility that a photographer’s work will be unduly criticized in such a public forum.
Also, as early adopters of a new photo-technology, artists will undoubtedly face the same scrutiny that early Photoshop software users did. Media consumers and critics reserve for photographs alone a particular mistrust. In fact, visual journalism may be the only media product that immediately causes suspicion in the wake of technological advance.
“Are the photos altered,” dubious consumers and media critics ask, “are these pictures ‘real’.”
However, declining to participate defeats the purpose of “community.” Nothing but visual satisfaction can be gained by only looking at photos on a site like Flickr. To reap the benefits of any community, one must truly belong to that community. Thus, a little leap of faith is in order.
Interview with Flickr photog to follow…
Another fear of such photo-sharing sites is the idea that they will ultimately cost some photojournalists their jobs. Mark Glaser discusses the trend of more news sources that rely upon amateur video to fill visual news holes. He expresses fears that videographers may lose their jobs to outside submissions.
Interview with local photographer to follow…
Almost all of the photos on Flickr are visually stunning. This is the result of perhaps two factors: a competitive environment and a photographer’s pride. Photographers who see gorgeous photos on Flickr are inspired to post their best work. The skills of the other photographers are viewed as a level to which a photographer hopes to ascend. Beyond that, a photographer’s Flickr page is a showcase for his work. A deep sense of pride can be found in compiling a beautiful online portfolio.
For good or ill, photo-sharing communities are already established and, from all indications, are flourishing. Those these are indeed the early days of photo-sharing, interest is high. While each artist must make his own decision, it is apparent that the benefits of participation in communities like Flickr can often outweigh the costs for photographers from all points on the spectrum.
Interview with Flickr photographer to follow…
IMPACT ON JOURNALISM:
How have tagged photos changed journalism?
Experts like Glaser say that sites like Flickr and Buzznet will advance citizen journalism. (Glaser, 2005)
The new media created by the addition of citizen journalists and photo-organizing technology will incorporate aspects of journalism that may differ greatly from the traditional. As ordinary people begin to post their dispatches to the Internet – sometimes on established news websites like MSNBC.com – they begin to engage in a “conversation” with the media and the public. Media experts like Rob Runett, director of electronic communication at the Newspaper Association of America, Inc., claims that reporting is no longer a “one-way street.”
Runett also points out that competition from numerous local sites has resulted in newspapers’ scrambling to connect with their audiences. This is when newspapers begin to engage in “people-focused” news, he says. (E-MEDIA: Internet, Convergence, Emerging Technologies; The Digital Edge; p. 59)
Conan Gallaty, director of new media at the San Francisco Chronicle agrees that newspapers need to perfect the delivery of their product on the Internet. The Internet is a decidedly visual medium. Access to an endless stream of photographs would go a long way in that direction.
Gallaty states that “newspapers have a short window to grab this market.” (E-MEDIA: Internet, Convergence, Emerging Technologies; The Digital Edge; p. 59)
One Kansas newspaper is fully immersed in an Internet news operation. The Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World now offers its product online. Specializing in local news, the LJW website includes several community “sections” and a page where the public can weigh in on issues in the news. (O’Brien, 2005).
The LJW online edition also has several photo galleries featuring citizen photographs. Citizen photo galleries at other online papers are not far behind – more than a dozen newspapers already have such pages in their online editions. (Glaser, 2005)
LJW publisher Dolph C. Simons, Jr., says that the goal of his publication is to nurture the ever-evolving relationship between the paper and its readers. Simons explains the philosophy at his publication: “We believe that journalism has been a monologue for so long and now is the perfect time for it to become a dialogue with our readers. We want readers to think of this as their paper, not our paper.”
Some new media pioneers, like Simons, also believe that the more interactive media of the near-future has the power to make American society more democratic. Simons explains why this matters in his community: “It’s a real town with a real soul where people like to get involved. People here care about what Lawrence will become.” (O’Brien, 2005).
Today, at least in Lawrence, people interested in the welfare of their community have an opportunity to participate in a public conversation about almost any subject they choose. This is possible for two reasons: widespread access to Internet technology and the vision of a few publishers like Simons. When visual journalism is added to this mix, the result is an even better online story.
Because hyper-local and on-demand news coverage is becoming routine for many young adults, that group harbors expectations much higher than people who came to rely on traditional media. This large audience is no longer content with waiting until the morning newspaper hits the street or even until the evening news comes on the television. These young news consumers want their news delivered 24-hours-a-day. And they want to see what is happening. There is no reason to assume that such a trend could be halted, reversed or even slowed at this point.
Pictures make a story come alive.
Citizen journalism can do more than just make news ultra-local. It has the potential to create a more democratic media on a national level. Citizen journalists, and now citizen photographers, have an opportunity to pursue journalism endeavors in a fashion they have never known before. (Kopytoff, 2005)
The new citizen journalist has a digital camera. He need not wait until the mainstream media deems his story newsworthy – he can simply cover it himself. He can take pictures to accompany his story. He can bring his subject to the world online. He insists on a personal level of engagement with his world and his media. Internet photo-sharing makes this relationship richer. (Brown, 2005)
In the absence of formal training, these new “photojournalists” would never have had the opportunity to participate in this type of media photography without the advances afforded by the Internet. More voices equals more democracy. Virtually every person with access to the Internet can now make a difference.
Proponents feel that citizen journalism eases the ills of professional reporters. After years of news reporting within certain boundaries, there are some journalists who can no longer recognize news, some critics note. These reporters may well be in need of citizens who will fill that “watchdog” position now. In addition, citizen journalists may bring a fresh eye to old news, citizen photojournalists a new view of the world. It is sometimes difficult for a reporter or photographer deeply embedded in a story to get that perspective. Journalists may become be a part of a larger body of concerned citizens dedicated to the common good.( Palser, 2005)
Editors like John Robinson of the Greensboro News & Record call this “open-source journalism.” By gathering information and images from professional journalists and citizen journalists alike, he believes that a more productive exchange of ideas can be facilitated.
“Please join us in this conversation,” he urges other newspapermen. “It’s where the future is.” (Palser, 2005)
Of course, this conversation results in not only news sources that have been revamped to include participatory journalism, but ultimately results in entirely new venues from which information may be obtained. Just as there is an increasing number of diverse voices in the news, there are also more and more avenues to disseminate those views. Wikipedia is an example of information created – in democratic form, more or less – by members of a group. Writers work together, editing and adding and re-editing web pages, to collectively publish information. (Wikipedia.com).
On Flickr, photographers can be members of the larger photo-sharing community, be members of smaller groups or pools and comment and receive comments on photos. As noted earlier, all members of Flickr share equal status in terms of exposure. Also, anyone with Internet access is guaranteed a chance to participate, regardless of skill level or financial consideration. On its website, Flickr promises that “There will always be a free version” of the photo-display site. (Flickr.com).
Dan Gillmor notes that barriers to information are being removed. This, he asserts, will result in a better media. He and Michael Fitzgerald point to the benefits of being able to tap into the “collective intelligence.” In Gillmor’s We the Media, he notes that blogging, the Short Message System (SMS) and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) are the specific technologies that are allowing more and more people to provide content in the Internet news arena. Gillmor claims that this will result in a better-informed public and, thus, a better media system. (Fitzgerald, 2005)
The group of journalists and photojournalists who can overcome their apprehensions is poised to create a better newsroom. It is an opportunity to establish community connections, make the news more interesting to everyone and make his job more exciting and informative. With sites like Flickr and Buzznet, he can also make it more visually captivating. (Porter, 2005)
For those who continue to try to make it viable, the rewards of incorporating citizen journalism into the mainstream media will likely be immense. The first media outlets that successfully harness the power of the Internet will profit with better marketing relationships, a higher readership and, ultimately, a favorable reputation in the web-based news world. Regardless of potential failures in early attempts to engage the new audience, the motivations – to involve the news consumer, to create equality in news, photo-gathering and coverage – are worth pursuing.
Quote: Flickr photog…
Economically, the future of news consumption appears to be on the Internet. If that is where the consumers are, then that is where the advertising dollars need to go. Subsequently, investing in this new market will likely bring excellent returns. Socially, the Internet is, at this very moment, allowing citizen journalists and photographers a communications platform that they have never had before.
Already, the news media is more diverse and more democratic for the presence and accessibility of their voices.
Journalistically, anything that results in more detailed, more accurate news is bound to improve journalism as a whole. The diversity that makes this emerging media landscape more interesting socially also makes it more complete journalistically. Images are an integral part of this equation.
THE FUTURE:
The traditional value of local images is greatly enhanced by the availability of images on sites like Flickr. In a time when more and more news consumers expect custom, on-demand news, access to this vast library of visuals is invaluable.
What further influence might these communities have?
One may reasonable expect that there will be more tagged-photo websites in the future. As more people gain access, more tagged photos will appear. Software will likely become even easier to use. Photographers of all persuasions will find an audience. Their skills will improve, their pictures will become even more stunning. All the world will be brighter for their contributions.
WHY THIS SHOULD MATTER TO EDITORS:
The Internet is a visual medium. All of the purposes that a news photo serves – as illustration, as layout aid, as art, as appeal to audience – are enhanced in this medium. Unlike newspapers and television, the Internet has never been confined to mostly black and white photos. Most newspaper photos are still black and white.
As always, visuals are the key to attracting – and aesthetically pleasing – news consumers. Visuals are one of the features that made the Web so appealing in the first place. As time and technological advances weave an ever-more-complex web, the manner in which images are formed, stored and shared will become more important.
It would behoove editors to keep up with this quickly-changing aspect of the Internet news media, as consumers are already on board.
LINKS TO PHOTO SITES:
No report on visual journalism would be complete without visual aids.
The following links take you to a couple of my photo sites:
www.flickr.com/photos/westernphotog/
martihowell.buzznet.com/user/
HOW TO USE FLICKR:
***EDITOR: JAMIE – HELP PLEASE…
I THOUGHT WE DECIDED THERE WOULD BE A STANDARD FORMAT FOR THE “HOW-TO” SECTIONS. DO YOU HAVE THAT FORMAT FINALIZED YET? ***
TWO WAYS FOR PHOTOJOURNALISTS TO USE FLICKR TODAY:
The best way for you to learn how to manage photographs on photo-tagging sites like Flickr and Buzznet is to upload some pictures and begin tagging them, arranging them in sets and then, perhaps, rearranging them. Look at the pages of fellow members of your new community. Be inspired… and be open to all of the possibilities that these sites hold for YOU.
Two ways for photojournalists to use Flickr today:
· As a set, create a professional or personal portfolio of photos you already have on your computer – be creative, change the photos often to improve your page, take pride in the new display of your work.
· Use Flickr to compile images for a story or photo essay you may be interested in doing. Use the pictures to pitch your idea to your editor. Be inspired by the work of other photographers. Post your own photos under established tags and in tagged pools. Comment on your favorite shots. Be a part of the community.
· Bonus: Meet some of the photographers whose work you admire. Make contacts and learn from them. Improve your own skills. QUOTE FROM FLICKR INTERVIEW…
CONCLUSION:
Photo-tagging is excellent… no really, I got nothing here…
***PROJECT PARTNER: GANG – HELP PLEASE…
SHOULD I JUST RESTATE MY THREE MAIN POINTS OR WHAT? ***
BIBLIOGRAPHY
******NOTE TO EDITOR: JAMIE – ANNOTATED BIBLIO PENDING,
BIBLIO MAY INCLUDE SOURCES NOT CITED IN TEXT…****
Brown, M. (2005). What’s the future of the news business? Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Fitzgerald, M. (2005). Group rethink. Technologyreview.com.
Glaser, M. (2005, November 15). Flickr, Buzznet expand citizens’ role in visual journalism. USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review.
Glaser, M. (2005, July 28). Video journalists: Inevitable revolution or way to cut TV jobs? USC Annenberg Online Journalism Review.
Kopytoff, V. (2005, June 6). Citizen journalism takes root online. San Francisco Chronicle.
O’Brien, T.L. (2005, June 26). The newspaper of the future. Nytimes.com.
Palser, B. (2005, Aug./Sept.). Journalism’s backseat drivers. AJR.
Porter, T. (2005, June 20). The mood of the newsroom. Handout: Journalism 791, University of Nevada, Reno: Fall 2005: Dr. E. Lenert.
Rheingold, H. (2005). Smart mobs. smartmobs.com.
Runett, R. (2005, May). Novel today, common tomorrow. Newspaper Association of America.
Shirky, C. (2003, Feb. 8). Power laws, weblogs and inequality. clay@shirky.com.
Vara, V. (2005, April 11). News sites solicit articles straight from readers. wallstreetjournal.com.
Wikipedia. (2005). Social network. Wikipedia.com.
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