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Some interesting news today regarding the ever evolving digital landscape as the Chicago Sun Times lays off its entire award winning photography staff including its photo editors. As the way in which we consume media changes, traditional news agency struggle to keep up, trying to incorporate social media with their traditional format. This development is said to be an attempt to move forward and keep up with these changing times.
The Chicago Sun Times wanting to streamline makes sense, however I think in this regard it has missed the mark considerably. The idea behind the move seems to be to focus more on video, freelance photographers, and using reporter’s smart phones to capture images. While certainly this is how much of the news is captured now, it feels like a misdirected attempt at forward thinking.
Take for example the smart phone. Technology has advanced to the point where smart phone cameras now rival top quality point and shoots. This effectively gives many eyes to events being recorded to a scale that simply was not feasible only a short time ago. The Stanley cup riots for example had massive numbers of pictures and videos allowing for convictions and recording of events simply not possible in the 1994 riot. While the smart phone by very nature of being dual purpose and compact cannot rival a professional DSLR in image quality or functionality. Its dual purpose and compactness for those very reasons allows it to have versatility in photojournalism that is unquestionable.
The problem for news agencies then remains, what will drive me or anyone else to view their news site. While smart phone images can be anywhere, I can also view them anywhere. News sections on YouTube, or photos posted to Instagram, Twitter… it does not end. So what separates a news site? While I would never criticize a news organization for not taking advantage of social media and smartphones, they would be fools not too, the question remains, how do they intend to stand out? Well, how about having a staff of award winning photographers and dedicated photo editors for one. Why do I want to see a smart phone picture from a journalist, or uploaded from a reader when I can get that same photo 100 other places. However a site where I can find professional photography, representing a story and impacting the audience is something I find great value in.
As more employers want jacks of all trades I think they are going to end up with staff who are masters of none. It is great to embrace smart phone videos but keep in mind what you offer over other sites. Professional photographers provide insight into stories as much as writers. A news group may embrace social media tweets and status updates, but hopefully not replace their talented writers and editors with such information. Tweets may be faster, and a more numerous way to get news stories, but they will never convey a story to the dimensions a quality writer can.
If it is truly the path of media outlets to replace photographers in this manner I find it a little sad. It will be a path away from quality into a more quantity based news system. Photography is a very misunderstood medium for telling a story and in such may be hit the hardest. I hope in the new age of instant snapshots and 140 character descriptions there will also be time for the thoughtful storytellers as well.