I am reminded of my Kindergarten book. It was a colourful book full of images, pictures and a few alphabets strewn around. The photographs took me to the wilds, green pastures where a farmer’s assets could be seen munching on fodder, birds chirping on mango trees and the sun trying to struggle out of grey-blue skies. As you have guessed, I was unlettered and unguided, but I still understood almost everything that the picture had to convey. The memory of which, I carry even to this day. A single photograph is worth a thousand words. Then, should we say, that the imprint on one’s mind of a photograph is direct and long lasting. Therefore, I believe that it was my first lesson in photojournalism?
Photojournalism is about telling a story through pictures. More authentic the picture, the more closer you are to the definition of the term. The images talk to you, are very communicative, the colours add to their expression and they depict truth and nothing but the truth. Should you attempt to make it more interesting by manipulating the image, it would amount to changing the basic story to suit your convenience, then that would be journalism sans objectivity. The photojournalist is duty bound to take pictures that convey the event in body and soul, its magnitude, impact and residual history. The photojournalist’s judgment and sensitivity are of paramount importance, which are also the cornerstone of this noble profession.
Drought in Africa
Society comprises of journalists with different talents. Some are good with words and we call them well- lettered, but yet some wield the camera to the same effect to complement the written word, this is what makes Photojournalism an essential part of the news media. Consider a pack of cigarettes which carry ‘Smoking Kills’, ‘Smoking Causes Cancer’, but the effect is greatly enhanced when a picture of a ghastly individual with cancer is posted alongside the warning.
Let’s examine a newspaper without photographs. It wouldn’t be very interesting. In fact, you would dwell more on a page which carries more photographs than the one which carries more text. Pictures give the words a visual representation of what the printed words are summarizing. If the photograph expresses it all, the words can become insignificant. This reminds me of the page that declares ‘Business by Tenders’. Most of us who do not wish to do business by tenders will invariably turn the page hastily, but if the companies inviting tenders were to post a picture of their requirement, I am sure many of us would make a short stop over to scan the picture. The picture enhances the effectiveness of written word, since it gives its reader a greater insight into what it must be like to witness these events as they are unfolding. In my opinion, images become the key to understanding a story, especially for those who seldom watch the news or read the newspaper.
Modern day technology has had a profound effect on photojournalism. Not only can the pictures travel all over the world in nano-seconds, but the high-tech allow us to process and print pictures of excellent quality, thereby, giving the role of photojournalism more visible presence. However, this brings added responsibility on the shoulders of the photographers to present images that are objective. In today’s age and times the disadvantage of technology is that now individuals have the ability to manipulate images. So photojournalists should also be guided by the moral fitness of a decision and follow the established code of ethics. It’s a serious profession and should be taken as such, since its professionals have an equally important duty towards the society.
I am reminded of a conference in Delhi on 31st August 2011, which I attended, where Aruna Roy, a renowned social activist, said that it was the ‘media’ who created the ‘Anna Hazare Movement’ and that it ‘lacked objectivity’. Ashutosh, representing IBN-7, supporting the cause of the media, pointed out that it was indeed a ‘people’s movement’. Here I must mention the images that were splashed during that period all over the newspapers. They not only enhanced the narration, both verbal and written, but added to its authenticity. The photographs were that of infants mounted on their parent’s shoulder, children and whole multitude of people, waving the National Flag, men and women assembled at several locations in the city and country as a whole, from all sections of the society; participating in the uprising against corruption. These photographs and efforts made by the photojournalist, confirmed that there was no coercion, as claimed by the written reports also. Thus proving the statement made by Ashutosh. It was indeed a feather in the cap of photojournalism, since the pictures added to the objectivity of the stories.
There are numerous shining stars of this profession. Raja Deen Dayal was one of the first notable Indian photojournalist. He was a Court photographer in India during the rule of the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad. Among the other famous photojournalists who worked then was Sunil Janah. A political activist and journalist, Janah commenced his career in photojournalism while writing stories for his newspaper. During India’s struggle for independence, Janah photographed significant events in the country and made a record of the transition from British rule to independent India. He is also known for his photographs of India’s partition. Photographs of Nehru and Gandhi by Sunil Janah are now seen by us everywhere.
Lala Raja Deen Dayal
There is yet another name which needs special mention here, because in a profession dominated by men, she was the first Indian woman photojournalist. Homai Vyarawalla crashed through the glass ceiling with her work, which was first published in 1938 in the Bombay Chronicle and later in other major publications of those times. She also worked for the Illustrated Weekly of India. She carved a special niche for herself and for her work during the WW II, by documenting the efforts of women who provided utility services. Another prominent image captured by her was in 1959 when her camera chronicled Dalai Lama’s permanent foray into India. Her documentation of the events of the freedom movement is significant. She scored several spectacular goals and remained a freelance photographer until 1970. She left for her heavenly abode on 15th January 2012 in Vadodara, Gujarat, leaving the entire world mesmerized with her work – kudos to photojournalism.
Jawaharlal Nehru & Edwina Mountbatten - personal moments captured by Vyarawalla
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