Traditional photojournalism is an objective, narrative mixture of journalism and art. Photojournalism aims to deliver a story by using imagery to raise questions and force viewers to investigate the images, the messages and underlying meanings of the work and create their interpretations.

It requires attention. Photojournalism is not out for the obvious statement, the quick shock, the clear, singular answer. [1]

In essence, traditional photojournalism is a form of communication that is ill-suited to short-attention media, short-attention forms of communication and a short-attention audience.

What is going on? It all starts with the subjects, the style, the methods of communication, and the audience.

… the consumer appetite for real news is undiminished. What has changed is that they are looking in new places and they are consuming information in different ways…

… Photojournalists are no longer disembodied observers; in the world of blogs, citizen journalists and hyper information sharing, we are all participants in the affairs of the world and in the reporting of events.

In essence, the old way of interacting with the audience is a poor fit with today’s society.

Is the answer to create more engagement?

It is about expanding the communication but simplifying the message with a better understanding of the context and solutions, it is about engaging the audience to become participants.

Can we (photographers) learn the new language?

The world is not returning to old ways. Photojournalism, perhaps even more than photography, needs a new way to add value, a new way to raise questions, a new way to deliver messages and spread insights and meanings. Perhaps out of this a new business model will emerge.

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[1] Granted, I know perhaps the most famous photo journalistic images are the most sensational and shocking. Yet that was often not the photographer’s intent, and perhaps their greatest lament.