The image below is taken from patch.com, a local news station. The photo, depicting the aftermath of the recent Navy yard shooting in Washington, DC, was taken by James Cullum, an amateur editor for the Patch. The photo was shot from a distance of several blocks, perhaps indicating the reporter's lesser stature in the news industry. This particular photo was taken under poor conditions, including a gray sky and seemingly inclement weather. Apart from the elements outside the photographer's control, there are some apparent flaws in the image which separate it from a professional news report. One notable characteristic of this photo is its blurriness. It is one thing for a photo to be intentionally blurred in some areas to focus attention on one specific aspect, but this photo appears to be entirely out of focus: there is no focal point. One defining characteristic of this picture is the broad camera angle and holistic view of the scene. A benefit of this perspective is the inclusivity and “big picture” effect it provides. The viewer is offered a look at the chaos and state of emergency that Washington, D.C., was experiencing at that moment. The numerous police, fire department, and emergency service vehicles surrounding the area conveys the seriousness of the situation at hand. One interesting thing to notice is the big red “X”s on all the traffic lights, restricting traffic indefinitely. Overall, this is a poor quality photograph of a news scene, despite some positive qualities. Compared to a professional photograph, this is clearly the work of an amateur.
Compared to the first photograph, the professional photograph below was taken by Susan Walsh, a reporter for the Associated Press. The news story accompanying the photo appeared on the website csmonitor.com. Compared to the picture above, this one offers an in depth view of a particular scene during the tragedy. The viewer is able to see armed first responders up close to the Navy yard. Being a journalist for the more established AP, Walsh most likely was granted preferred access to the scene. One major difference between the two photos is the overall image quality and utilization of lighting. Despite being taken in the same poor weather conditions, the AP photo demonstrates a higher level of professionalism and quality. Another improvement from the first photograph is the clarity and use of focus. The focal point of the picture is the three people in the center of the frame. Even the areas of the photo that are blurred have greater clarity than even the clearest portion of the amateur picture. A unique benefit of being closer to the action is the intimacy and “in the moment” feel generated. Seeing the peoples’ faces, the police cars, especially the “K-9” on the window of one vehicle, truly adds a dynamic factor to the mood of the story. Despite uncooperative weather conditions and the spur-of-the-moment nature of the event, the professionalism of this photographer definitely is noticed and appreciated.
