When I clicked on the link to visit the Los Angeles Times website, I found myself staring at the accompanying image. In my photojournalism course last semester, we talked in detail about the use of light in photography and the effect it can have on the viewer. This is one of the best examples I have seen. It's breath-taking, it's shocking, it's real.
The story goes on (note that it was the picture that drew us in as viewers, not the lead) to paint a portrait of the life of Ana Rodarte, a woman who has been questioning God since she was five because of a deformed face that has always earned her questioning stares from strangers. The deformity was determined to be caused by neurofibromatosis.
Through the storytelling and the excellent audio slideshow included, the reader is given a glimpse into the lifelong struggle Rodarte has faced. The use of visual variety and a mixture of long, medium and detail shots in the audio slideshow kept my interest and made me anticipate what the next shot might be. The photographer used light in many shots to illuminate her face in different ways as her improvement progressed.
I think that this story and photo package is an excellent example of the importance of photography in journalism. Many times it seems that people brush off photography as an aid that simply augments the story. This particular story is proof that sometimes, it can be the other way around.
Caroline let me start by saying that you know Professor Johnson would love this! This is a very powerful picture and an especially powerful video. Your blog does a really good job at depicting the strength of graphics and art in journalism. This girl definitely had a story to tell to the world and I am glad she had such a good photographer to capture it.
ReplyDeletePeople say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes pictures do what no amount of words can. If I found this picture in a newspaper, magazine or online, I would definately read the accompaning article. This story should make editors think twice before firing their photographers and asking their writers to take pictures for their own stories. A trained photojournalist can sell a story.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really powerful story, and I feel that the only way to even come close to justifying this girl's life story is through a medium such as audio slideshow. All of the photographs that were chosen for the slideshow just present such a different aspect than print ever could. I was really impressed with the presentation of this story, and I'm glad you chose this particular story to discuss.
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