Recently, I received my monthly copy of the National Press Photographer’s Association (NPPA) magazine, “News Photographer”, and the cover story was about how the Chicago Sun-Times decided to “purge” 28 full-time photojournalists.
They came to the decision, in part, due to changing times and the rise of “instant” news, and the rising cost of doing business. It would seem there is neither as much need of still pictures, or the photographers who take them.
I have been around long enough to have lived through the age of downsizing. I’ve worked for multinational corporations during that time. And, when economic times got bad, I saw these successful corporations continue to invest in resources, not cut them back.
The world of photography is changing. Anyone can take a picture nowadays, but after all is said and done, a bad picture is still a bad a picture.
Those resources included well-trained and talented staff. They continued to expect — no, demand — the best. I believe that letting the photojournalists go from the Chicago Sun-Times will end up being a regrettable decision.
I remember using film in all its glory and limitations. I recall how it forced the aspiring photojournalist to think about the very basics of photography before they took a shot. They considered the best way to compose a shot, what camera settings to use, whether flash would be required, or even where to stand just to name a few things.
But all of those things seem to be deemed unimportant now. I question the quality of what will be (and what has lately been) submitted to many print media outlets. I, for one, have seen many pictures submitted that make me beg the question, “how did this get to print in the first place?”
Did anyone even proof the image? But, I digress.
The article details the great improvement in devices like iPhones, smartphones and tablets which allow less cumbersome equipment to carried. And, there’s no need to invest in skill training for the would-be photojournalist.
What a great way to save budgets, right?
I say no.
Costs are an issue with any business, of course. But a common mistake made by many corporations is that, during hard times, they knee-jerk react to current economic problems by investing even less.
Cutting an entire department of any business is suicide. Historically, it’s been proven to be the wrong way to be successful. Time, I’m sure, will bear this out.
Fortunately today there is much less to worry about in taking that perfect shot. After all, just throw the camera on auto and go nuts. While we’re at it, why not put the camera on continuous shooting mode and hold that trigger down. At least one shot should be usable.
Then let’s Instagram it and voila — a great shot.
Yes, this is sarcasm.
Now don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against using an auto-pilot function, but that’s like having a fully equipped kitchen to cook TV dinners and saying you’re a chef.
This brings me back full circle to quality and calibre of images. Yes, anyone can take a picture nowadays. Yes, the pixel quality is really great. Yes, the digital age and advancement of post-processing software programs is just amazing.
But in saying that, all the post processing in the world does nothing for poor composition and bad picture-taking. Software can only fix so much. After all is said and done, a bad picture is still a bad a picture.
When professional photographers are being replaced by iPhones and tablets, the quality of photography has only one way to go — down.
Chuck Swinden is a professional photographer and photography instructor at Rodenas Photography. For more information, visit www.rodenasphotography.com.
