The Journalistic Image as Visual Sociology

Comment on the Journalistic Image as Visual Sociology

Although the idea of the journalistic image can be disputed (instead some would prefer the term ‘journalistic uses of images’), the journalistic image can be defined as an image which traditionally accompanies a story intended for newspaper or magazine readers (Rudolph, 2008, p.1). As such, it has to be instantly readable and interpretable. Although journalistic images are particularly perceived to be unbiased and factual, story-telling and heroic, in reality photojournalism has become a business, with publishers aiming to become increasingly successful and wealthy in a profitable society. This has resulted in the snapping and use of not necessarily valid and reliable journalistic images. I am thinking here particularly about photographs used by the tabloids. A photo can be taken at the precise moment Angelina Jolie frowns at Brad Pitt when both are standing some distance apart. This one second snapshot can easily be interpreted wrongly, and for the magazine's benefit the couple's marriage is argued to be on the rocks. So how can we tell an image is really a true representation of reality? Harper (1998, p. 29) reminds us that photographs are not 'truth' but as social constructs are ruled by ideology, and I personally agree with Rudolph (2008) who argues that:

“It is impossible as I see it for a photograph to be wholly true because the mind of the person clicking the shutter button cannot be extracted from the image itself. They are one.”

Any kind of information, whether it be image based or textbook, if not manipulated, is interpreted or ascribed certain meanings, and the researcher's questions or ideas in mind are often already in place before research is started or a photograph is taken. Additionally reliability and validity depends for a great part on the honesty of the researcher or journalist, and what story the researcher/photographer wants to tell. Most journalistic images still depend on context and interpretation, and are therefore accompanied by captions or some text. However this concern has already been considered in my comment on ‘Validity and Reliability in Visual Methods’. If we however presume that most journalistic images are objective in that they are an accurate representation of an event in time, they are also defined by their narrative quality. Every image tells a story at cultural level and attains meaning from its context. The journalistic image is distinguishable from Visual Sociology and other kinds of photography in that it is completely dependent on its contemporary context. As journalistic images are created in order to be entered in the newspaper or magazine, it does not necessarily depict the sociological context the event pictured takes place in; instead, it captures a specific moment in time. The image makes sense at the time, to the people who are aware of what is happening, thus making it a valid entry for a newspaper of magazine. However considered years later and without written comment its context and meaning would be lost. The image is then left with ‘only historical’ value (Becker, 1998, p.94). Let us look at this issue by using an example.

Becker (1998, pp.93-4) describes an image of Richard Nixon, head down and shoulders hunched, leaving the White House after his resignation of Presidency of the United States. From the moment viewers would have seen this in the paper at the time, they would have known its connotations. The image functioned as the representation of the closing stages of Nixon’s career as political leader, following a series of events and stories published which lead to the termination of Nixon’s career as political leader, and reflects defeat, loss and perhaps also shame. However we have to remember this is only one image of the time between Nixon leaving the White House and the helicopter taking off, and therefore only one version of the truth; the photographer's. In fact, for many at the time the last memorable image is that of Nixon entering the Marine-One Helicopter door, smiling and showing a two-handed V-sign:

http://www.famouspictures.org/mag/index.php?title=Nixons_V_sign

Which image reflects correctly Richard Nixon's mood at the time? Each seen individually can be considered as journalistic images, although each telling a different story. While both would have been accepted as perfectly valid journalistic images at the time, both photographs would lose these connotations when time passes, and as a result lose their function, validity and reliability as Journalistic image.

However, Becker argues, such an image can continue to survive and become useful for Visual Sociology as part of a sociological analysis. Visual Sociology is a branch of the academic and reputedly unscientific discipline Sociology, which values Image-based Research in juxtaposition with other methods of qualitative research. Becker (1998, p.94) suggests that the image of Nixon leaving the White House can be looked at in order to investigate how the media deals with the non-specific phenomenon of political scandal. If seen in comparison with other photographs taken during the various stages of his Presidential career, this would create an excellent qualitative research project, explains Becker.

If we consider again the two contradicting images of Nixon, in juxtaposition both images could be used in Visual Sociology in this sense or to investigate the president's theatrical actions at the day of his resignation. This comparison also supports Rudolph's claim that there is no such thing as a Journalistic Image, but only journalistic uses of images. If an image can no longer be used as such, it can still apply to other kinds of photography, particularly Visual Sociology.


Bibliography

Becker, H.S. (1998) ‘Visual Sociology, Documentary Photography and Photojournalism: It’s Almost All a Matter of Context’, in Prosser, J. (ed.) Image-Based Research: A Sourcebook for Qualitative Researchers. RoutledgeFarmer, London, pp. 84-96.

Harper, D. (1998) 'An Argument for Visual Sociology', in Prosser, J. (ed.) Image-based Research: A sourcebook for qualitative researchers. RoutledgeFarmer, London, pp.24-42.

Rudolph, K.E. (2008) ‘Are there Photojournalistic Uses of Images Or ‘Photojournalistic Images’?’, Photojournalist and Educator, Dr. Ellen K. Rudolph, Essays in Photography [Online]. Available at: http://www.drellenrudolph.com/essay34.html (Accessed: 19 March 2009).