A good book is good for the writing and I read many such books while studying history but the one thing that always proved a point more than any other was when a history lesson was accompanied by contemporary images. There is something very powerful about a photograph. There is an intimacy between the viewer and the subject that, I feel, cannot be replicated in any other form of media.

While I worked for a small studio in my hometown, my primary job was in the dark room making reprints of a local photographer whom for the past 60 years has captured every significant event and person that has been associated with the city. As his career–and to an extent his life–faded into the past, he decided to create a book of his work to sell locally. The book was nothing more than his photographs, but together it formed a rich narrative on the past 60 years of the small town.

This is the power of photography. A mentor of mine, who continues to have his work published in the likes of Time, once told me that, as a photographer you do not capture reality. This was a hard thing for me to accept initially but the more I listened to what he was saying the more I understood. In essence, you can capture reality with your camera but it is only the reality as you see it. As a photojournalist you are to be as neutral as possible. It is important to know the power that your photographs may have on history.

Today’s history in photographs

Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the infamous Tienanmen Square Massacre.  There was much that lead up to the events of that day that could be discussed for hours. The one thing, though, that comes to mind when anyone utters “Tienanmen Square” is a photograph by Stuart Franklin of Magnum Photos.  The image of a man holding arbitrary bags in front of a line of tanks.  The image has become ingrained in the minds of anyone who knows of the months leading up to and following June 4th 1989.  At the time, the man in the image became a hero and spokesman for millions of Chinese people.

There have been other images like this in the past. Franklin’s photo is only 1 of Life’s “100 Photographs That Changed the World“.  Life’s series, and title, hit home the point I’m trying to make.  Photography has been and will continue to be a central part of World History.  In their stillness, photographs bring the viewer back to the fraction of a second that the image was conceived and allow that person to focus soley on the moments leading up to and after the image.

Cecil W. Stoughton was there when Lyndon Johnson was sworn in on Air Force One following the Death of John F. Kennedy.

Eddie Adams of AP captured this image durring Vietnam.  The image captured one man’s final moments on earth while demonstrating the brutality of war (it should be noted that most probably misinterpret the image, as the man being assassinated was likely the cause of many American’s losing their life).

Air force Pilots were their with their camera’s as atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

John Paul Filo captured this now famous image of Kent State

The list goes on but the point remains; wherever there is history happening, there are photographers capturing it.  The power of photography can’t be understated.  The quicker a photographer embraces this power–the quicker they can harness it.

Snap on!

More Reading
100 Photographs That Changed the World

Flowers laid for Tiananmen Square

The 2009 Share the Experience Photo Contest will run from May 4, 2009 through December 31, 2009 and showcases the more than 500 million acres of Federal Lands, drawing entries from all across the United States.

“Our nation’s parks offer amazing experiences from the highest peaks to the most remote coasts and right in your own backyard. Photography enables you to capture and share your experiences with countless others,” said F. Mark Gumz, president, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “We continue to develop new technologies that expand the frontiers of digital photography, enabling you to be a part of the action and capture it all, and we’re proud to support the National Park Foundation’s Share the Experience contest for the second year.”

“I am honored to announce our 9th annual Share the Experience photo contest, which draws thousands of participants each year,” said Jamie Patten, Senior Vice President, the National Park Foundation. “We are grateful to Olympus for their support, and delighted to partner with them again on this successful program, which invites people to our parks and federal lands, and encourages them to share their experiences – and beautiful photographs – with each other.”

All 2009 entrants will have the opportunity to win one of six exciting prize packages, including trips to national parks. The Grand Prize winner will earn the international honor of having his/her winning image grace the cover of the 2011 “Federal Recreation Lands Pass,” an Olympus E-3 digital single lens reflex (DSLR) Camera Kit, plus a five-day, four-night trip for four to the Federal Recreation Area of your choice. The runner-up prizes are:
Second Prize — A three-day, two-night trip for two to a Federal Recreation Area, an Olympus E-620 DSLR Camera Kit, and a Federal Recreation Lands Pass.
Third Prize — A two-day, one-night trip for two to a Federal Recreation Area, an Olympus SP-590 UZ digital camera, a handheld GPS unit, and a Federal Recreation Lands Pass.
Fourth Prize — An Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 digital camera, $250 gift card for outdoor gear and apparel, and a Federal Recreation Lands Pass.
Honorable Mentions — Each of the ten Honorable Mention photos will win an Olympus Stylus Tough-6000 digital camera, $150 gift card for outdoor gear and apparel, and a Federal Recreation Lands Pass.
All winners will receive the Ken Burns The National Parks: America’s Best Idea DVD and companion book.

For an additional chance to win, this year NPF is introducing a special new category to acknowledge the PBS special by Ken Burns entitled, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. Take a photo in any of the federal recreation lands that you believe showcases “America at Its Best.” The winner of this category will be separate from the winners from the regular contest, and will be featured in an issue of Parks magazine, in addition to winning an Olympus E-30 DSLR Camera Kit and the Ken Burns The National Parks: America’s Best Idea DVD and companion book.

The public will be able to view an online photo gallery of 2009 submissions throughout the contest period and vote on their favorites from January 17, 2010 – January 31, 2010.
Citizens and legal residents of the United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter by submitting up to three photo entries online at www.sharetheexperience.org; or via mail in a hand-written, stamped envelope to:

Share the Experience Official Federal Recreation Lands Photo Contest
c/o ePrize, LLC
PO Box 8070
Royal Oak, MI, 48068

All photographs entered must be taken in one of the Federal Recreation Agency Lands between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, must be original creations, and must be submitted by the original photographer. PLEASE SEE OFFICIAL RULES AT www.sharetheexperience.org.

Mail-in entries must be postmarked by December 31, 2009 and received by the close of business on January 8, 2010. Each envelope must include only one entry. All photos will be judged on creativity; photographic quality; visual appeal; appropriateness; ability to show diversity and the richness of the Federal Recreation Lands.

About the National Park Foundation The National Park Foundation is an independent charitable organization chartered by Congress in 1967 to strengthen the connection between the American people and their national parks. As the official national non-profit partner of America’s National Parks, the Foundation raises private funds, makes strategic grants, creates innovative partnerships and increases public awareness about the need and opportunity for park philanthropy. In its 2008 fiscal year, the National Park Foundation distributed grants and program support of $27.3M. For more information, visit www.nationalparks.org

About Olympus Imaging America Inc.
Olympus Imaging America Inc. is a precision technology leader, designing and delivering award-winning products for consumer and professional markets.

Olympus Imaging America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and its ultimate parent company, Olympus Corporation, to develop breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality that enhances peoples’ lives every day. These include:

• Digital and Film Cameras
• Professional Digital SLR Imaging Systems
• Related Underwater Products and Accessories
• Digital and Microcassette Recorders
• Digital Media
• Binoculars

Olympus Imaging America Inc. is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com.
Website: http://www.nationalparks.org

Some purists like to argue that it ruins the act of taking photo’s.  Some of them may just be getting nestolgic about the days of yesteryear when a shot wouldnt’ be seen until a few hours later as it slowly faded onto the paper as your hands dripped wet with developer (mmmm, smell those chemicals!).  There is a certain level of magic that takes place in a dark room and until you’ve done it for yourself (ideally with your own work), it’s difficult to explain. And on a certain level, digital photography has taken some of that magic away.  No matter how good a shot i’ve taken, seeing it on the computer–or more related to this topic, on the LCD of my camera– is less satisfying than had i seen it come through on photography paper.

Magic aside, there are some logistical reasons why you should and shouldn’t chimp during a shoot.

Why you should:

1. LCD screens have allowed photographers to instantly and accurately check exposure in a way that meters don’t allow for

2. Knowing if you’ve got your shot enables you to work less if you’re in a hurry

3. Seeing that your framing isn’t working allows you to adjust accordingly. Instant feedback.
Why you shouldn’t chimp:

1. Looking at your camera means you are not looking at the subject(s). I can’t tell you how many shots I’ve missed because i couldn’t resist the urge to chimp.

2. Relying on what you see on your LCD removes you from the actual process of taking photographs. Instant feedback is only good when it doesn’t limit the way you think.  Psychologists know that thinking more critically about something leads to more understanding.

3. The photographs aren’t going anywhere. Looking at it now isn’t going to change what has already been done.

4. Missing shots because you’re looking at your camera is a bad thing!

I stated one of those reasons against chimping twice, and for a reason.  Recently my LCD on my camera broke.  I haven’t been able to fix it yet and i’m in no rush because the camera still takes photographs.  And i’ve seen an increase in the quality of my photographs.  I’ve always been under the belief that constantly looking at your LCD after you take a photo removes you from the actual act of taking photographs.  If you can find a way to prevent this removal, i think your photography will improve.
I’m not advocating that you never look at the LCD. There is a reason it’s there and I’ve listed some reasons why it is useful. But there is a time and place for it.  Figure that out, and you’ll be golden.

Canon PowerShot A590

I’ve talked about always being on the ready before. Today’s camera’s allow all sorts of fun, so long as you have one available. This video was shot on a Power Shot A590. Not all visuals need to be done on expensive equipment to be good!

[There is a video that cannot be displayed in this feed. Visit the blog entry to see the video.]

Nikon Profits Fall

Last week it was reported that Canon’s 2008 profits tanked, specifically the most recent fiscal quarter* (Q4) to the tune of 91%. As most likely expected, Nikon has followed suite. The simple fact is that the rough economy is hitting everyone right now and our camera manufacturers are no different.

Nikon, the second largest (behind Canon) manufacturer of consumer and professional camera equipment, has announced that it is reducing it’s 2009 profit forecasts. They attribute the likely drop in sales to a reduction in camera sales and the weakening Dollar. Nikon stock dropped 73% in 2008 and it continues to drop as the global market continues to struggle. Despite producing the best camera’s they ever have, Nikon suspects that DSLR sales will drop around 6%. On a whole, Nikon suspects that digital camera sales globally will drop as much as 11%. Thus, Nikon profits, which dropped 98% in 2008, will likely continue to fall in 2009. As a result, they have “temporarily” laid of 800 employees, a number which could very well grow.

What does all this mean to us? One has to wonder how much money is being cut around these camera manufacturers. The ramifications of reduced budgets may mean delayed production in new model lines or improvements over old ones. In the meantime, i guess the only thing we can do is take photographs.

*Canon’s fiscal calendar aligns with the calendar year, thus Q4 includes September-December.

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