Comments on: Photojournalism on decline? Not so fast…

By: Eric Setiawan’s weblog » Photojournalism: dead or alive?

Eric Setiawan’s weblog » Photojournalism: dead or alive? — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 03:10:01 +0000

[...] Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « Why Dreamhostwhy? [...]

By: Currants » there’s hope for photojournalism

Currants » there’s hope for photojournalism — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:48:34 +0000

[...] While rumor has it that professional photojournalism is on the decline, new online advertising opporunities are actually opening up doors for photojournalists that never existed before. According to this article, Canon and Nikon digital SLR sales are higher than they either company had anticipated. So if photography is your forte, keep going strong! Add this post to your Facebook account (or just save it to a boomarking site)These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]

By: RickMahn.com » Blog Archive » links for 2006-12-06

RickMahn.com » Blog Archive » links for 2006-12-06 — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 00:36:04 +0000

[...] Photojournalism on decline? Not so fast… « Scobleizer – Tech Geek Blogger Robert Scoble talks about amature photojournalists and their rise on Flickr and other photo sharing services. (tags: Photography Journalism Web-2.0) [...]

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 18:15:57 +0000

Amen, Robert! And we’re so glad you like JPG.

I was a Photojournalism major in college, and when I got out in 1995 I sent slides (yes, slides!) to newspapers from coast to coast, begging for work. There was none. So if photojournalism is on the decline, I’d say it’s been that way for a long time.

And, in a way, that’s one reason Heather and I started JPG: To give all those talented nonprofessionals out there the recognition they deserve. I’m a little jealous of my younger counterparts, coming out of school now. There are so many more outlets – so many more ways to see and be seen as a photographer.

It’s just one of many gifts the internet has given us.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 17:51:39 +0000

hmmm…that’s in my neck of the woods. I’ll have to check it out. Been to the museum for a few parties but not as a ‘museum goer’ probably a tad different sans-alcohol : )

By: Greg Furry

Greg Furry — Wed, 06 Dec 2006 17:31:53 +0000

Robert,

This is the same thing that happened when pagemaker and the laser printer first came out. Everyone in the design world thought the sky was falling. Any Tom, Dick or Harry could now create fancy newsletters, brochures and business cards. Sure some of the low end business was lost, but people soon realized that tools do not replace talent.

I see the same thing happening here. YouTube and Flickr are great but they don’t replace a professionally produced news stories. No doubt people’s level of what is acceptable is lowered and you will see lower quality on TV. This doesn’t replace the good stuff it just supplements it.

This is especially the case for small market local news. In my small market they send interns out to get the some of the photos. I am sure many amateurs can meet or exceed that level of professionalism.

I am sure many amateurs miss the chance to become pros by having a bad job interview or small portfolio. Or maybe they posted porn on flickr . Now is their chance to cover the stories that would other wise go unnoticed. Granted many stories will still never be seen but a few will make it out and the world will be a better or at least more informed place for it.