Photojournalism facts for kids
Photojournalism is a special kind of journalism where people use cameras to tell stories. Instead of just writing words, photojournalists take pictures that show what's happening. These photos are then shared with many people through things like newspapers, magazines, and websites. Their main goal is to capture important moments and help us understand the world around us.
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The Start of Photojournalism
Photojournalism began a long time ago. The very first photojournalist was Mathew Brady. He took many pictures during the American Civil War in the 1860s. His photos helped people see the reality of war for the first time.
Early Newspaper Pictures
One of the first times a photo was used to help tell a newspaper story was in 1848. A picture called 'Barricades on rue Saint-Maur' showed a street in Paris during a conflict. This was a big step for newspapers, as they started to use more images.
Showing Real Life
Later, photographers like John Thomson in the 1870s started taking pictures of everyday life. His famous series, Street Life in London, showed how people lived in the city. This helped people understand different parts of society.
The Golden Age of Photojournalism
From the 1930s through the 1970s, photojournalism became very popular. This time is often called the "Golden Age."
New Cameras and Magazines
A big change happened in 1925 when the Leica 1 camera was introduced. This camera was small and easy to carry. It allowed photographers to take pictures quickly and in many different places. Because of this, magazines like Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung and later Life magazine became famous for their amazing photos. These magazines hired many talented photographers.
Competition and Impact
During this time, there was a lot of competition among photographers to get the best and most important pictures. Their photos helped people around the world understand major events, like World War II and the Great Depression. These images often showed strong emotions and important moments in history.
Photojournalism Today
After the 1970s, it became harder for many people to make a living as full-time photojournalists. This was because fewer magazines and newspapers had their own photographers. Also, with digital cameras and phones, many more people started taking pictures.
The Role of Photojournalists
Even with these changes, photojournalists are still very important. They travel to different places to capture events, from sports games to political meetings. They show us what is happening in the world, often from unique perspectives. Their work helps us stay informed and understand different cultures and situations.
Images for kids
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National Guardsman in Washington D.C. (2021)
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'Barricades on rue Saint-Maur' (1848), the first photo used to illustrate a newspaper story
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The Crawlers, London, 1876–1877, a photograph from John Thomson's Street Life in London photo-documentary
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"Geronimo's camp before surrender to General Crook, March 27, 1886: Geronimo and Natches mounted; Geronimo's son (Perico) standing at his side holding baby." By C. S. Fly.
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The Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung pioneered modern photojournalism and was widely copied. Pictured, the cover of issue of 26 August 1936: a meeting between Francisco Franco and Emilio Mola.
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Boy destroying piano at Pant-y-Waen, South Wales, by Philip Jones Griffiths, 1961
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Sports photojournalists at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
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Photojournalists at the 2016 Labour Party Conference in Liverpool
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Roger Fenton's Photographic Van, 1855, formerly a wine merchant's wagon; his assistant is pictured at the front.
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Leica 1, (1925)'s introduction marked the beginning of modern photojournalism.
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See also
In Spanish: Periodismo fotográfico para niños
