Expression emotion and feeling are ultimately what is needed in imagery. It is the responsibility of a photographer to be more than just a button pusher, to use the science and art of photography in a way that strengthens an image’s impact and makes it much more effective than if taken by a surveillance camera, or a snap shooter who just happened to be at the right place at the right time.
The photo-journalistic style of photography in my opinion has become popular for the wrong reason. It is easy to say that I use a photojournalistic style. At first glance it might seem so, and it is always used as a complement so that is ok. But most photojournalists know little photography. They do not try to do imagery that is flattering, or even to use light in an artistic way. They behave like hunters to grab a record and make an imprint of a moment in time. That is photojournalism.
If you are hiring a photographer to produce meaningful imagery, of course you want record shots, but you should know that a real photographer can use so many skills and techniques to make your imagery much more powerful, and pleasurable and more meaningful to you later. That then becomes great photography.
While there have always been a handful of photographic artists who combined classical skills with style and personality, the majority of WEDDING and Event “photographers” are not great technicians or artists. After all the posing and fussing, most people will feel that there is something missing, and they are right!
What is missing is that the images are pretty devoid of emotion, expression and feeling. In comparison, a “photographer” who does little posing, and uses a more impromptu approach will no doubt seem to have a more natural, less “fussed with” and therefore more meaningful product. That is why the photojournalistic style has become so popular. BUT the real reason photojournalists are photojournalists is because they do not really feel that mastering serious lighting, posing and technical skills are essential to being a photographer. For them, technique takes a back seat to the “snapping what you see” approach. It is vital that consumers realize there is a lot more to being a photographer than just snapping pictures and that the utilization of the appropriate technique at the right time will make a tremendous difference in how much your photography will mean later.
This is why I say that the photojournalism has become popular for the wrong reasons. Not that it is what most people really are looking for, but because it is better than the stiff and unnatural alternative of the typical “professional” photographer. But when you consider how that typical professional photographer is not what you are interested in, not the only option, but that you can actually get a highly skilled, seriously great photographer. Then the benefits of a photojournalist fade fast.
You can have spontaneous, fluid, meaningful, on point, and unobtrusive images that say something, show you in a flattering light, and with facial expressions that mean most. But for this, you need the skilled photographer. And such a rare individual, technical understanding the artistic sensitivities, of most photojournalists. Such a talent would be considered photographer or at the very least an advanced photojournalist. Practically speaking you are more likely to find the skills you seek by choosing a great photographer, who can do all kinds of styles than a self proclaimed photojournalist, who frankly cannot.
Gary Rabenko may be reached at gary@rabenko.com. Rabenko Photography & Video Artists is located at 1001 Broadway in Woodmere.