Introduction
Photographs save moments. The most efficacious and optimum images provided in the news capture the viewer. The viewer not only sees the news moment, but also feels it through the presentation of the image. These images are seen as reality by viewers. Viewers hold the news images as truths. This was the case before video and digital photographer and it still applies today with the exponential advances. Advances in technology and the image on news photography has been both advantages and disadvantages to newspapers and electronic news sources. The way in which the news captured images prior to the digital age was slow, costly and with the tendency to skew the actual moment. Digital photography and video made substantial changes to news photography, by not only changing the business, but in providing enhanced high quality photos.
History of News Photography
One way to access the changes made to news photography by video and digital photography is to analyze the history of each. News photography gives viewers a perception of the world. It acts a witness to news reporting which makes it an invaluable tool for news reporting. Readers and viewers rely on news photography and believe in the information it provides. “They have more trust in what they see than in what the read:.
Photographs were first printed in newspaper in 1896 . These photographs appeared only in the Sunday edition. Magazines like newspapers of news events and have been changed dramatically by digital photography. Time Magazine and U.S. News and World Report are two popular news magazines. Although National Geographic is not a news magazine, much of the content and photography are often news related.
News photography is about grabbing the image that is newsworthy. This means that the collection of news as well as the dissemination of news is urgent which is one reason digital photography has had a heavy impact on news photography. Today, newspapers provide electronic versions of their content on the Internet which enhances the quality of the pictures. Digital images of war in the news is a primary of the changes that have occurred as the result of digital photography. The images are brighter and more realistic. The photographer has the ability to capture images that were not available for a variety of reasons in the past, including accessibility. This can be seen in the photographs below. In the Vietnam war photograph, we see an image of army personnel following a battle. The image was shows the three men after they have returned from the field and received medical treatment. See directly below.
Photo retrieved August 13, 2016 from http://wardocumentaryfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Unknown-images.jpg
This image of the Vietnam war presents the images of war in a realistic manner. However, as a viewer can see, the digital image of war in Afghanistan tells a more complete story of the event. See image below. The image appears brighter. The image is taken during the battle. The soldiers are not posing or resting after engaging in war, but are being presented as they are in reality: in the midst of chaos and trauma.
Photo retrieved August 13. 2016 from http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/images/photo/2008/07/25/20080726CENSOR/18311505.JPG
History of Digital Photography and Video
Television gave rise to the first digital photography. Video tape recorders were first used in 1952 as an addition to live and broadcast shows. Video tape allowed the ability to record an image as a coded signal. The signal was later decoded on a video tape player to convert the code back into a picture. Rather than recording simply an image frame by frame, a video allowed for stream of images.
Scanners are also part of the history of digital photograph as the introduction of scanners allowed for an image to be copied. The first scanner was created in 1957 by Russell Kirsch. The scanner operated by deciphering the light intensity of the picture.
Aeronautics also play a significant part of the beginning of digital photography. Digital cameras were first created as a mean to send pictures from space back to earth. The cameras to be used in space were made so that could they could record photos and send them to earth via a digital signal. Those who would receive the signal would decode the signal to view the image.
Nikon digital cameras were produced by Kodak in 1989. Steven Sasson, an engineer with Kodak, crafted a digital camera in 1975 that used a lens from a movie-camera and a Fairchild CCD electronic sensor. Images were placed on a tape and a special screen was used to view them. The camera was not hand held and took nearly 25 seconds to record a photo. It was not until 1981 that the use of digital photography became available for computer use with the invention of the compact disk player, it was not until 1988 that a handheld digital camera appeared. At this same time, the standards of JPEG and MPEG were established. The digital camera for sale to consumers was soon made available in 1990. This camera had the ability to store digital photographs. In 1992, the internet became familiar with digital photography with Mosaic, which allowed internet users to view photographs on the worldwide web.
The creation of PhotoDropper which allows news sources to manage and share images of news almost instantaneously. Newspapers and magazines are required to keep pace with modern technology. If this cannot be accomplished, the newspaper or magazine shuts its doors.
Impact of Digital Photography
Photography is more alive, instant, and brief practice as a result of the introduction of digital photography. In order to catch a spectacular news image, a photographer need not be a professional. Professionals exclaimed that digital photography enhances the image and “solid(ies), glorify(ies) and immortalize(es) the photographic” .
Business benefits of digital photography include the saving of both money and time. It helps to establish a virtual database for information. Images can be viewed prior to publication . Another significant impact digital photography has had on the news is that relating to perfecting the photograph. Images seen by viewers prior to the introduction of digital photography had significant alterations. Photos were cropped, burned and dodged. Blemishes were removed in order to present a satisfying image to the viewer. Digital photography has enabled the news media to obtain instant and vivid images of a news event.
Many disadvantages exist as a result of and advances in digital photography. More pressure is placed upon the news reporter to capture a photo more perfectly and more quickly. Thus, the news reporter has little time to decipher the footage obtained and less actual time to observe the newsworthy image to be photographed . Insensitivity as a result of digital photography and video in the news.
Conclusion
Photographs save moments and news sources have presented these moments to viewers for many years. The goal of the news is to capture the viewer and enable him or her to not only see the news moment, but also feel it through the presentation of the image. Advances in technology and the image on news photography has had a significant impact on news photography. With this impact, there have been both advantages and disadvantages to newspapers and electronic news sources. The way in which the news captured images prior to the digital age was slow, costly and with the tendency to skew the actual moment. Digital photography and video made substantial changes to news photography, by not only changing the business, but in providing enhanced high quality photos. War has been presented to viewers on the front lines. Photography is more alive, instant, and brief practice as a result of the introduction of digital photography. It has also saved both money and time. Digital photography helps to establish a virtual database for information. Images can be viewed prior to publication It has enabled the news media to obtain instant and vivid images of a news event. Many disadvantages exist as a result of and advances in digital photography. More pressure is placed upon the news reporter to capture a photo more perfectly and more quickly. regardless of the disadvantages brought to new photography, the impact of digital photography and video has been tremendous.
References
de Castella, T. (2012, February 28). Five ways the digital camera changed us. Retrieved from BBC News: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16483509
Fried, R. B. (2016). Digital Photography: An In Depth Analysis of an Emerging Trend within the Computer Age. Retrieved from Crime Scene Investigator Network: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/digitalphotography-fried.html
Harper, C. (2016). Journalism in a Digital Age. Retrieved from mit communications: http://web.mit.edu/comm-forum/papers/harper.html
How Digital Technology has Changed Photojournalism. (2010, March 8). Retrieved from Adorama ALC: http://www.adorama.com/alc/0012375/article/How-Digital-Technology-Has-Changed-Photojournalism
Kivowitz, S. W. (2013, February 13). How Social Media and Digital Photography Changed News Media Forever. Retrieved from Scott Wyden: https://scottwyden.com/social-media-digital-photography-news-media/
MacGregor, B. (1995). Our Wanton Abuse of the TechnologyTelevision News Gathering in the Age of the Satellite. The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, 80-93.
Murray, S. (2008). Digital images, photo-sharing, and our shifting notions of everyday aesthetics. Journal of Visual Cultre, 147-163.
Payne, D. (2015). History of digital photography - the early days. Retrieved from Digital Photography Tips.Net: http://www.digital-photography-tips.net/history-of-digital-photography-early-days.html
Tirohi, B. (2000). The photo-journalist and the changing news image. New Media & Society, 335-352.
Trenholm, R. (2007, November 5). Photos: The history of the digital camera. Retrieved from CNET: http://www.cnet.com/news/photos-the-history-of-the-digital-camera/
