Week 12: Photojournalism the best of both worlds Q. 1) Find a journalistic news story from any newspaper or magazines and answer the following questions: a) Why did you choose this news over others?

‘I really miss him because I have a great relationship with him,’ 

‘He’s a fantastic person, a human person. He taught me many things. Like I said before, he’s like a father in football.’

 

Fatherly figure: Former Man United star Ronaldo admits he misses Ferguson

Why did u chose this news over others?

I chose this news because i love Manchester United.

b) Is the narrative component of the story necessary or is the picture enough to express the intended message of the news?

Photograph is not really an objective representation of reality this is because a photograph comes from the biased mind of a human photographer. Therefore an understanding of symbols which are part of the composition and the ones which are omitted purposely is essential. The symbols which are outside the picture’s frame are revealed through the use of words of a photographer and the subject which is as important as the elements which are in the frame (Lester, 1995). The picture is not necessary, but the pictures really help to represent the reality of the relationship between Ronaldo and Ferguson. 

c) Did the picture and writings capture the “truth” of the event?

 Yes, because the source of the news is reliable, however the truth might be exaggerated to attract readers. Images helps journalists do a better job of being a journalist and they rely on the images help substantiate stories responsible for informing. Other than that, images are valued by journalists with the eye witness authority of having been there and concept of we were there and you were not there. Images help journalists with the notion to account the events as it happens (Stuart, 2005).

The fascination of looking at photographs in the way of what we think the meaning of the image might present of which we cannot have any sense of knowing, characterizing the photographs a catalogues of acquired images which stands for memories.

A photograph always have many stories to tell, such as the subjects within the picture’s frame, how the photographer made the image and the incident after the image is taken and published. However, most importantly is the viewer’s perception of the photograph

WEEK 11: INFORMATION GRAPHICS : 1) Look at the following information graphic broken down into a series of 4 images and answer the following question.

The original photograph is called “Skull with cigarette, 2007” by Chris Jordan. It has a caption below the photogtaphs which reads: “Depicts 200,000 packs of cigarettes, equal to the number of Americans who die from cigarette smoking every six months”. Why didn’t the photographer just present the information in numbers? Why explain the statistics in graphical form?

Info graphics are essential in story telling, however images alone cannot provide information which is fully comprehensible. Words will forever be a major component in communication. Informational graphics (infographics) are primarily visual displays provided with labels and text which aids in explaining the illustration meanings (Lester, 1995).

The photograph above which shows images of a skull in which the image is actually a illustration of graph which shows 200,000 packs of cigarettes is equal to the number of Americans whoo die from cigarette smoking every six months. The photographer uses an image of a skull in presenting the information instead of in numbers and in graphs possibly because it is more understandable, appealing and it is remembered. According to Vogel Et. Al in 1986 “Visual presentations provided with visual aids are 43% more persuasive than unaided presentations. Presentations made with visual information are more comprehensible than presentations made with verbal dominancy” (Petterson, 1989).

The image which is being used is an image of a skull which is smoking it is symbolizes the idea that smoking causes deaths which is related to the effects of smoking to a person. This is perhaps why the photographer uses the image of a skull. According to Otto Neurath in 1925 “words divide, pictures unite”. When majority are visually literate, people across different cultures is united through the same understanding of information which is presented by images which contained informational graphics. It is essential for an info graphic designer to put the audience’s understanding of the presentation of their work as a priority (Lester, 1995).

Which can be seen from the photographs above which provided a caption of the photos states “Skull with cigarette, 2007” by Chris Jordan. It has a caption below the photogtaphs which reads: “Depicts 200,000 packs of cigarettes, equal to the number of Americans who die from cigarette smoking every six months”.  The photographer aim is to attract the viewer or audience through his creativity in using the image to provide the statistics or graphs  provided with the caption attached to it. A picture without a caption is considered as something that has no informational value. However, a picture’s caption has to describe a picture and it has to be able to guide the viewer to the interpretation which the producer is wish to present (Petterson, 1993).

The best infographic designs are the ones that “draw the viewer into the wonder of the data” (Lester, 1995).From the photographs shown above, it attracts the viewer and leaves them in astonishment of the possibility of putting information or statistics by using a skull how could a large information fits the skull perfectly (leaves viewer in wonder).

As a conclusion, the photographer presents the information not in statistical numbered form because he/she wants it to be appealing, remembered, comprehensible, leaves the viewer in wonder, it is easier to understand provided with the images and captions. However, information graphics should be thorough in presenting the information to not overlook the graphics and designs therefore neglecting the importance of presenting acurate the actual data or statistics because the audience or viewer is not careless, or unknowledgable. Neglecting the importance of presenting actual data or statistics to the audience is disrespectful and damages the communication (Lester, 1995).

References:

Lester, P. M (1995): Informational Graphics. Visual Communication: Images with messages. California: Wadsworth Publishing.

Petterson, Rune ((1989): Visuals for information Research and practice. United States of America: Educational Technology Publications Englewood Cliffs.

Petterson, Rune (1993) : Visual Information (2^nd ed.). New Jersey: Educational Technology Publications.