We have had some recent entries into the Photojournalism competitions that did not very well reflect the definition of a photojournalism image. We have discussed this issue with the competition judges before recent competitions and will continue to do so in order to highlight the issue. In addition, this was discussed at the December competition meeting.
We've all heard the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words." Photojournalism images must, first and foremost, tell a story. In many cases, no further text, discussion or explanation is necessary. Considerations such as lighting, exposure, etc., are secondary to the story.
A quick web search will easily turn up definitions of photojournalism and many great examples. Two are included here:
- Basics of Photojournalism
- Examples of Photojournalism Images
Our club uses the Photographic Society of America (PSA) definition of photojournalism.