2. Photojournalism
For this particular task I have chosen to look at photojournalism in war and sport. (War –
past, sport – present). I will be looking at the way their photographs are/were taken and
the use of natural or artificial lighting. I have chosen to look at War as my past
photographs because of the way War was highlighted and because it was a important
story that everyone wanted to know about, this is the same in modern day with sporting
events. I have chosen to look at these two photographers:
Garda Taro- the first female war photographer.
Vladimir Rys – Sports Photographer.
3. Garda Taro
Garda Taro was born on August 1st 1910 and died at the age of 26 26th July 1937. Garda was considered as the first
female photojournalist but died whilst doing her job.
Garda was born into a Jewish family and attended a Swiss boarding school. In 1929 her family had to move just before
the Nazi German war. Taro was against the Nazi parties, she was arrested and detained in 1933, which led to her
family leaving the countries in different directions, Taro never saw her family again. Escaping Germany, Garda moved
to Paris where she met another photojournalist and became his personal assistant (1935).
The two decided to work together and changed their names (previously Gerta Pohorylle), covering the power of
France during the 30’s. Garda travelled to Barcelona in the year of 1936 to cover the break out of the Spanish Civil
War, her most celebrated photographs were in 1937 covering the single bombing of Valencia. Taro refused
international press as this time and her photographs were the only testament to the true situation.
Discussing, Garda’s death – in 1937 she travelled with the Republican Army during the Battle of Brunete, Garda then
got into the car that was carrying the wounded soldiers when a tank collided. Garda died the following morning in
hospital with critical injuries. Although her photographs were not international, her most celebrated and well known
photographs are from the time period of 1937. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerda_Taro
4. Vladimir Rys
Vladimir Rys is a 38 year old photographer born in Prague, July
20th 1978. His grandfather used to be a famous photographer and
Vladimir started taking after his granddad at the age of 15. Using
the streets of Prague and his parents house to develop his
photograph skills. He has won numerous awards and started
working as a freelance photographer in 2011.
Vladimir’s career:
•
1996-98- Czech Daily Sports paper.
•
98-2002 – ‘Hatrick’ (monthly sporting magazine in the Czech
Republic).
•
2002-04- Bongarts Sportfotografie (Germany).
•
2004-10- Photographer for Getty Images.
•
11-present – Freelance.
2010
Kicker Sports Photo of the Year 2010
"Photographer of the Year"
1. Prize Sports Picture of the Year
2. Prize in category Football
3. Prize in category Portfolio
Czech Press Photo 2010
3. Prize in category Sports
2008
Kicker Sports Picture of the Year 2008
3. Place in a category Sports Portfolio
"Formula One Photographer of the
Year 2008" by Red Bulletin magazine
(UK)
2006
Czech Press Photo 2006
3. Prize in category Sports
"Nikon Prize" for the best picture in
sports
Kicker Sports Picture of the Year 2006
1. Prize in a category Olympic Games
(Torino 2006)
Vladimir has also had a string of awards whilst working as a
photographer, here they are as follows.
2004
http://www.vladimirrys.com/about/ Vladimir has covered the
vast majority of sports including, F1, Beijing
Olympics, Skiing, German soccer and so on. His most famous
work is photographing German F1 Driver, Sebastian Vettel and
Spanish driver Fernando Alonso.
Kicker Sports Picture of the Year 2004
1. Prize in category Sports General
3. Prize in category Olympic Games
(Athens 2004)
2002
Sports Photographer of the Year
finalist (CZE)
Story of the Wimbledon 2002
2001
Czech Press Photo 2001
2. Prize in category Sport Stories
3. Prize in category Sport Stories
"Nikon Prize" for the best picture in
sports
2000
100 Sport Photos of the Year (CZE)
"Photographer of the Year"
1999
Czech Press Photo 1999
3. Prize in category Sport Singles
1998
100 Sport Pictures of the Year (CZE)
Nikon Prize
5. No abstract elementsno specific colours as
the photograph is in
black and white.
Natural light
used in this
photograph as
the picture is
taken in the
day time.
Content – the subject of
children clearing up
what would have been
their house or area.
Garda Taro
Cannot see the
facial expressions
of the young
boys therefore
this does not
apply.
Not a high key
image as
Intention – Garda took the
Garda is not
photograph to show the
promoting
vulnerability of the children at positivity.
this time.
Subject- the main object of
the photograph is the
rubble in the background.
Representational –
Recognisable objects within
the photograph are bricks.
Landscape- showing the
natural environment of what
once was housing.
The young boy on
the left is the
clear focus within
this photograph
as his hat
provides a sharp
look.
In this particular
photograph- looking
from the outside
there is a faint
organic tree shape.
Limitation
within the
photograph is
that there are is
no balance or
symmetrical
points.
Theme – War.
Documentary- Garda
spent her time taking
photographs of different
people within the event
of the Spanish Civil War.
No geometric
shapes within
this photograph.
Garda has not
used any portrait
shots within her
photographs.
Monochrome
photograph –
would not have
colour filters
during war time.
Soft Lighting- low key
photograph.
The walls
and the
stone that
the boys are
sat on
structure the
photograph.
The biggest
amount of
rubble is in the
background of
the
photograph.
Vantage point
taken straight
– no
exaggerated
high or low
points.
Lightest value
of the
photograph is
the
background.
Busy
photographrubble in the
background
and children as
the main focus.
Space within
the
photograph –
lots of depth
within the
background.
Garda’s
photographs
from this
period are
candid as the
photographs
are taken when
the people are
unaware. No
posed
photographs.
The setting of
the photograph
looks to be in a
bombed
house/room.
The rooms have
been knocked
down so the
setting is
outside.
Lacking any set
positions that
the photograph
has been taken.
Could be taken
from the right
hand side as the
majority of the
child on the left
is shown.
The natural light is
been seen in the
photograph however
there is a contrast in
light as the young
children are enclosed
in the walls.
6. Content- An
official and
possibly two
villagers
talking.
(information)
Setting of the
photograph- on a
field where the
battle would
happen.
Intention – to
provide
knowledge of
control from
officers at this
time.
Limited grey tones
or actual light.
No balance
within the
photograph i.e.
no symmetry.
Theme of war.
The main objects
are the soldiers
themselves and
the clothes that
they are
wearing.
No heavy
composition to
structure the
image.
Landscapeshowing the
surroundings of a
field in the
photograph,
where battles
would normally
take place.
No need for a
vantage point in this
photograph.
Recording an
event and a place
within a
documentary
photograph –
battle.
There are no organic
shapes as such
Low key lightinghowever there are
keeping the mood
trees and bushes
low.
surrounding.
Garda has captured
the leading officer as
looking concerned
hence the expression.
Limited- no
portraiture, showing
the full uniform.
Candid photograph as
the three front men are
unaware on the camera
however some men in
the background have
noticed Garda taking the
photograph.
Once again, the
photographer has used
the ambient light to
capture the photograph.
Monochrome
photograph –
using black and
white.
Fairly passive
photograph as
there is not much
visual wording.
This photograph
has a dynamic
dark light even if
taken in natural
light.
7. Low Key
photograph – not
promoting a
positive, bright
image.
Intention- showing the
number of troops
walking into battle.
The photograph
goes from a dark
dynamic to a light
one as the dust
changes the
picture.
High level of a
grey tone
because the
photograph is
monochrome.
Carrying on the
theme of war.
The main object of this
photograph are the
supplies that the army
are carrying.
No block
colours.
Landscapeshowing the field
and or the wind
being
blown, blurring out
the people at the
back of the march.
Documentaryshowing the troops
during their
march, journey could
have taken days?
The light within this
photograph is
definitely not artificial
and has yet again
been taken in the
ambient light.
Mostly
monochrome
photographs in this
time period and in
documentary style.
No clear expression
on anyone in this
photograph
however, the leading
officer looks very
concentrated.
Candid photograph
of the troops as
they are walkingconcentrated on
where they want to
get too.
No mound to a
proper
composition/str
ucture.
Busy
photographlots of people
to look at.
Setting- probably
another field when
crossing to the
battle. Lots of dust.
No vantage point or
background within
the photograph –
limited.
8. No abstract lines or colors –
more specific objects.
Vladimir Rys
Intention – to
show the focus
and
concentration
mid race or after
the race.
Theme – sports
photography.
No actual
landscape within
the
photograph, inte
nded to be
done.
Not a
documentary
photo, photogr
aph been taken
in the moment
Portraiture
photograph –
showing head
and shoulders.
Candid
photograph –
knows that
photographers
will be there but
is in his
moment.
Soft lighting on
Ambient lighting.
the
photograph, refle Low key lighting, not
bring heavy coloring.
cting his
personality?
Used to blur out the
background to focus
on the sports star.
Context- used in racing
magazines and on
websites to showcase
work.
9. Used a long lens to
capture this photograph
as the person is in the
pool and the
photographer cannot get
in the pool.
Environment photographshowing a person at an
event.
Expressive form of photographyfocusing on the face
Bright colours – eye
catching.
Texture of the photograph is the
water.
Could be classed
as a portraiture
as the shot is
within the head
and shoulders
range.
The main object of
this photograph is to
show a clear
reaction of the
swimmer after his
race – instant
thoughts without
speaking.
Candid photograph,
the swimmer – Craig
Stephens. The
photographer has
taken a candid view
on his expression.
No adjustments
made to this
photograph –
sports journalism
reflects the actual
truth within a
moment of time.
Using the natural light
available i.e. in the
grounds of the
swimming pool.
Composition/settingin the Olympic park
swimming pools.
The intention of this
photograph is to show
the viewers the
reactions of those
competing in the
games (Athens)
No vantage points,
not taken from any
special angle.
The theme for this image
is sport.
Passive image, not a lot of visual
information within the photograph i.e.
doesn’t unravel a clear story.
Contexts- used in magazines for one particular magazine or
internationally for newspapers. This image was taken when
Vladimir Rys worked for Getty Images.
The central focus within this
photograph is the swimmer.
High key photograph- bright
colours, suggesting a positive atmosphere for
some.
10. Theme – sport. Getty images.
Only geometric
shapes.
No texture in the
photograph.
Candid photograph, in
the moment of time.
Recognisable
objects:
football, goal
posts, sponsor
boards.
Geometric shapes, the
circular ball.
The focus within
the
photograph, is
the Barcelona
football player.
Intention of the
photograph is to
show the
moment in time
when the
Barcelona player
is scoring a goal.
Natural light –
floodlights
within the
stadium.
Landscape
photography –
showing the
crowds and the
other players on
the pitch.
High key
photographbright colours
on the
football kit.
No flowing lines
within the
photograph.
Environment
image –
showing the
people and the
event i.e. the
football match.
Expressive
photograph, sho
wing the reaction
of the Barcelona
player and the
way he shoots.
Busy photograph
– lots of
individuals to look
at and study.
Setting – at the Camp Nou in
Barcelona where the match is
being played.
Low vantage point, tricky angle to get
so many players into the photograph.
