What motivates photojournalists?

            

Image Source: http://orioltarridasphotography.com/index.php?category_id=2&image_id=91
Image By: Unknown 

               James Nachtwey is a war photographer. Having photographed in South Africa and Rwanda, he has experienced on many occasions what it is like to be in the midst of a war zone. Though he consents that the main purpose of his work is to appear in the mass media, he comments about the pain that it brings him to achieve success from documenting other’s in times of struggle, despair and hurting. Photographing war however, is what he feels is important. He said, “Why photograph war? It is possible to put an end to a form of human behavior, which has existed throughout history, by the means of photography”. He goes on to say that, “For me, the strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke humanity. If war is an attempt to negate humanity, then photography can be perceived as the opposite of war”. His passion and motivation to capture such graphic and emotional events on film comes from a drive to share with the world things that not every person can experience. Nachtwey comments that he wishes every person was able to experience a war zone just once. To understand the effects of tear gas, to see the destruction caused by one grenade, on flying piece of shrapnel. However, that isn't possible and because of this he says, “But not everyone can be there, and that is why photographers go there. To show them, to reach out and grab them and make them stop what they’re doing and pay attention to what is going on. To create pictures powerful enough to overcome the diluting effects of the mass media and shake people out of their indifference; to protest, and by the strength of that protest, to make others protest”. Nachtwey’s motivation comes from a desire to capture and share his experiences with the world, which to me makes him a true photojournalist. 

Image Source: http://vsmeets.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/as-close-as-it-gets-james-nachtwey/
Image By: James Nachtwey

Image Source: http://www.choura2yak.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/death-of-kevin-carter.jpg
Image by:Unknown 

                Often times, motivation for taking a photo may lead to criticism by the audience who later views it. This can be said of a famous image taken by photojournalist Kevin Carter. Carter had traveled to Sudan in the early 90’s where he documented some of the most horrific and saddening images the world has seen. His most famous photo may also be his most critiqued. The image of a young, starving child being stalked by a vulture as the bird waits for the girl to die has been talked about, and continues to be talked about to this day. Many people criticize Carter saying that he should have helped the girl, and that by taking the picture he acted “like a true vulture” and that the picture was a display of his “lack of humanity”. Carter later received a Pulitzer Prize for the image that was so highly criticized, yet detailed exactly what he was there to do; his job. A note that Carter was found with after he committed suicide said, “I am haunted by the vivid memories of killings and corpses and anger and pain of starving or wounded children, of trigger-happy madmen, often police, of killer executioners. The pain of life overrides the joy, to the point that joy does not exist." Carter’s motivation too came from a desire to share the truth. He was quoted when asked what goes through his head when he approaches a horrific scene like that in Sudan saying “Inside a voice is screaming, ‘My God!’ But it is time to work. Deal with the rest later”. 

Image Source: http://www.pointblanknews.com/Articles/artopn3479.html
Image By: Kevin Carter

                

Image Source: http://www.celebspeakers.com/michael-coyne/
Image By: Unknown

                    While photojournalism is most frequently about a job, a desire to do that job everyday can provide a substantial amount of motivation and passion behind one’s work. Photojournalist Michael Coyne may have had his images published in Newsweek, Time, National Geographic and other notable magazines, but his real reason for being a photojournalist comes from his love and passion for taking pictures. Coyne wrote an article several years ago titled “As Long as there is Passion, There Will Be Great Photojournalism”. In this article he spoke about a meeting/get together that he attended with other photojournalists where they talked and shared some of their work. It wasn't about money, or fame, or whose pictures were the best, but rather about something that they all had in common, a love of taking pictures. Coyne said in the article, “The images on display reflected what good documentary photography is all about: involvement, passion,patience and a fire in the belly to get that once-only image”. Coyne recognizes that being a photojournalist sometimes means putting oneself in uncomfortable, dangerous, or venerable places, however the costs for him do not outweigh the benefits. He says, “Am I embarrassed, uncomfortable or even ashamed sometimes? Yes. We often justify what we do by saying that photographs can make a difference and change things. I don’t believe that. Photographs can inform people and be part of a series of events that change things, but they don’t change things by themselves.” Coyne takes pictures for a job, but he also takes them for himself and for others. Photojournalism is about connecting with others people who have similar interests and passions for you, and for Coyne, that is motivation enough to continue doing what he loves. 

Image Source: http://www.posterlounge.co.uk/traditional-costume-face-paint-pr67795.html
Image By: Michael Coyne

Original drawing and image by: Nicole Dufresne

Personal motivations come from a lot of places, and as evident in my motivation star, some of the sources can be positive while others are the exact opposite. I draw my motivation greatly from my interests, aspirations and from past experiences. I was never the child with a celebrity crush, or a family member that I was truly in awe of and wanted desperately to be. My motivation comes from finding things that make me happy and that will allow me to feel successful. Drawing from the past allows me to correct my own mistakes, which is a large component of success and a source of motivation for me. I am encouraged and motivated by my family, friends and peers to achieve the highest standards possible. My personal values of integrity and honesty guide my action sand motivate me to achieve for myself rather than for the sake of others. Like several of the photojournalists mentioned, part of what motivates me is my job, wealth, and my purpose as a student. Whether uncomfortable, lengthy, daunting or scary, I am motivated by eventual success and positive outcomes to push myself to achieve great things. Finally, health, fun and love are factors that make me who I am and encourage me to do what I love doing for the sake of pure enjoyment. This aspect mirrors closely with the ideas of Coyne as he works as a photojournalist because it is his passion. 

References
http://blog.chasejarvis.com/blog/2013/01/would-you-die-for-the-photo-a-look-at-war-photography/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=x3VoyjUP8hg
http://www.lehigh.edu/~jl0d/J246-06/THROUGH%20A%20GLASS%20DARKLY%20(full%20text).htm
http://rising.blackstar.com/as-long-as-there-is-passion-there-will-be-great-photojournalism.html
http://rising.blackstar.com/sometimes-poking-your-camera-into-peoples-lives-just-doesnt-feel-right.html

http://www.pointblanknews.com/Articles/artopn3479.html

http://vsmeets.wordpress.com/2011/07/13/as-close-as-it-gets-james-nachtwey/