Photojournalists Wally And Win McNamee example essay topic

GENERATIONS: PROBITY IN PHOTOJOURNALISM? With the existence of first-rate technology, depletion of society moral standards, and ethics for sale on the street corners, has the general public lost the original intent of a photograph? For photojournalists Wally and Win Mcnamee, a father and son who are well known and respected in the photojournalism field, probity reaches out through their photos with the presence of its' own soul. Elizabeth Anstead, the author of the article, was all too convinced of this fact trying to expose an alter ego in photojournalism.

The alter ego, that is all too often overshadowed by those of poor taste and more so as time goes by, receives the respect and glory that she surmises as overdue. Modern photographers tend to chase personal success, in turn placing a cover over the original story that a photograph portrays. A sigh of relief can be taken after reading her article, for it emphasizes the points that should be held of high importance in the area of "still memory". She denuded the layers, empathizing with Wally and Win both; disclosing to the surface the passion they have for their profession directly out of their hearts and highly noted work, interpreting both factors into words. "They [editors] think that 'fiddling' with images is like wordsmith ing, but it's not the same...

I see this as one of the single biggest dangers to the integrity of photojournalism. People rely on us to present the story as it really happened. This is not fashion photography or the movies -- if things don't look the way you want them too, then it's the rub of the green!" stated Wally Win when asked about the "digital revolution". As Elizabeth Anstead transits from the father to son, it is obvious the reiteration of views and standards written for both generations, the only difference appearing had been the use of higher technology.

This proving that the honesty and intent behind a photo is only as pure as the photographer. The collaboration of Wally and Win McNamee offers a unique perspective to photojournalism, providing an unchanging view on changing times. "I wanted to know what it was that made my father the way he is... The internal strength and integrity that he has... I wanted to see if I could bring that out in myself. I wanted to do something that would make him proud of me".

Win Mcnamee stated while speaking on the idolism he has for his father. Turning through the assortment of photographs, it is evident the admiration Win has for his father, as well as the hunger to acquire the obvious qualities that make his "hero" great. The political and personal perspectives of events that are concerning to most Americans, are captured within these photographs with words pouring out of the subjects' inner consciousness. These two men expose feeling lingering within the events, zooming out their lenses and capturing the outer essence and feeling that inhabits the environment. All too often the people of today are presumptuous, gathering the image of what they want to see, ignoring the truth behind their own atmosphere.

Creases chiseled in his face and exhaustion present in his eyes divulges age, life experience and abundant distress. The grandfather of a wounded boy glares through the bullet hole situated in glass, searching for justice that may wait on the other side. The intrusion of the bullet pushed the force surrounding the missing portion, which spliced the glass outward. Such meaning brought to an object, originally thought with little or none. How unfortunate that war has been brought among the towns that were once thought to be a safe-haven, the backyards children play in, and the lives that were once treated as sacred. Win McNamee didn't photograph the gunmen or the incident for this photo, but the life affected by the action.

Releasing the raw truth behind violence in the present anger-filled society, which we exist in today, the raw truth that can only be found in the eyes of the effected... the eyes of the innocent. Anstead, Elizabeth. "Generations - An American Portrait". Generations. July 1998. web.