Photojournalism provides a visual record

by Helen Kaye and Lauren Fox
Presidency and the Press

Photography is more than just a pretty picture, according to Professor Katherine Cronin.  Photojournalism is the concept of using photos and images to report on different topics and events. “Having a camera gives you a voice”, said Cronin. She believes that no matter what angle you’re shooting from, whether it’s meant to be investigative or informative, there are always multiple sides to the same story.

Cronin feels a photo is often times more effective in capturing a story than what words can portray. “We take in most of our information visually,” Cronin said. She is a documentary photojournalist that enjoys spending her time with her family and photographing inspirational people who try to make a difference in the world.

Cronin spoke to the Presidency and the Press conference students about how photojournalism translates to real life media and how important photography is to the public. She told students that most people nowadays feel they have to see it to believe it and are most intrigued by visually captured information.

The 2010 July cover of Times magazine shocked readers all over the world as it displayed the disturbing face of 18-year-old Aisha, an Afghan woman who fell victim to the Taliban. This

photograph will forever be remembered for the effect it had on all who saw it, raising new concerns in those who were unaware of the brutality of terrorism in Afghanistan.