Photo EssaysStories in pictures

Pictures everywhere

• 1826: Nicéphore Niépce creates the first permanent photo

• People became able to see things that were far away

Photojournalists

• Report the news through photos• Publish in newspapers, magazines, books, web

sites• Take many pictures to get 1 or 2 good ones• Combine science (to make a clear picture) and

art (design and feeling)

Photos tell stories

• Photo essays: telling stories through pictures – Share facts– Act for social change

• The photo essay is both:– factual record (history)– work of art

Photo Essays: Promoting Social Change

• Jacob Riis – one of the first photojournalists– Believed that poverty caused crime– Used his pictures to help him prove his point – Took pictures of poor people in New York City (

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/02/27/nyregion/20080227_RIIS_SLIDESHOW_index.html)

– Took pictures of small children working in factories: • Shocked people – creation of child labour laws

Larry Towell

• Canadian photographer• His work often focuses on social issues• See gallery on Mexican Mennonites:

http://www.magnumphotos.com/Catalogue/Larry-Towell/1996/MEXICO-Mennonites-NN110355.html