What is True Photojournalism

Photo by: Kayla Peterkin 09/09/2025 This photo represents photojournalism because it documents the aftermath of a rainstorm that knocked down sunflowers. It captures the real, unstaged moment in time, showing how weather events impact the environment. Images like this serve as visual records of events, helping communities reflect on what happened and what changes to consider. In the future this can help the owner of the sunflowers to learn to put up a barrier to protect the sunflowers from further damage.

Photo by: Kayla Peterkin 09/11/2025 This photo does not represent true photojournalism because it is staged and lacks clear news value. This young woman is standing next to an empty wheelchair in what appears to be an elevator, but the context is unclear/uncertain. There is no real event being documented, the image raises questions rather than providing information, making it more personal or artistic than journalistic. Question 1: In what ways does learning the history of photojournalism help us recognize the power of images to shape public memory of major events? Answer: Learning about the history of photojournalism shows us that photographs are more than just images; they are records that influence how people remember important events. Paul Almasy, quoted on the World Health Organization website, said that “a photojournalist is something of an historian, and an historian must never lie.” This reminds us that photographs can act as truthful evidence of history. By looking back at past photojournalism, we can see how images shaped public memory of events, and it helps us understand how today’s photographs will shape the way future generations remember our time. Question 2: How does understanding the history of photojournalism deepen our awareness of photography’s role in cultural identity and social change? Answer: Understanding the history of photojournalism shows that photographs are not only records of events but also reflections of culture and social struggles. Marcus Garvey once said, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,” as shared on the Afrobella blog. This connects to photojournalism because images often become the roots of collective memory and cultural identity. When we study how photojournalists have captured social movements and cultural change in the past, we see more clearly how photography continues to shape identity and inspire a change today. Personal Reflection I am studying the history of photojournalism because I want to better understand how images change the way people think and also remember events. I’ve realized that I don’t just scroll past news photos, I pay attention to what they are saying and why they were taken most importantly. I enjoyed looking back at old photographs in the modules because they helped me understand the generations before me and how they experienced the world. I’m especially curious about how images shape the way we view healthcare and social justice today, since those are areas I often follow in the news. I usually consume news online, whether through articles, social media posts, or photo stories. Learning the history of photojournalism makes me more concious of the importance of photojournalists capture stories , because their images could influence how people see these events decades from now.