Comments on: Two photojournalistic controversies

By: GJ

GJ — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:37:09 +0000

You see journalists doing worse at newspapers? I would love to know what things these journalists do worse and at what newspapers on a DAILY basis, nonetheless. You call him talented, which yes he is, he caught the moments but then wanted to \make it more dramatic\ through ridiculous toning. It’s a total shot to credibility. It’s a great moment that could use some toning, unfortunately it’s completely overdone and thus not photojournalism in a true sense. Im not going to say the image is ever 100% un-manipulated as it is a digital image and there is a level of toning that may need to be done to some photos. But to do it to this extreme is just as bad as clone stamping \distracting elements\ for the \dramatized effect.\ I’m not in that business, as a photojournalist, show it like it is. If you don’t like those rules label it a photo illustration, because that’s what it has become.

By: Bilal

Bilal — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:46:25 +0000

I’ve no experience running a mag or newspaper, and sure there is quite a bit of difference in the original shot and the processed one. But I really dont see any truth altered in the picture or its contents, just the lighting/tones changed. Maybe thats bad enough for newspaper, I dont know, I just dont think the photographer altered any truth, but dramatized lighting a bit more. Err… correct me if I am wrong, but I see journalists doing worse than that every day in their writings for newspapers all the time! I see double standards then. I may not want to do that myself as a photojournalist, but I dont see why one talented person is being reprimanded for it as such.

As for the picture Mike has posted above, shot by Dustin: http://www.sportsshooter.com/showImage.html?id=657774

I think its brilliant!
I’m actually glad I’ve come across his profile even if only through this controversy.

Bilal

By: Disappointed fan

Disappointed fan — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:47:19 +0000

Is that last response really by Dustin Snipes? I hope a shady person isn’t trying to represent something that isn’t, that would be wrong, you know. If that response was really by him, Q. Any response to the main football photo in question?

Dustin is a great photog but he messed up, big time. Better to come out and apologize than not.

By: Dustin

Dustin — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:27:46 +0000

No, that photo you showed was not altered. If you want to see the original please ask. If not, you can always pic up the issue of Sports Illustrated where it ran. (The photo was edited by them)
The reason for the silhouette in that spot is from the shape of the arena is was played in, there are light pockets and shadows all over the field from different elements that make up the architecture. He was in the light moments before and ran into shadow. It would be amazing to anyone to see a stadium that is evenly lit when the sun is going down.
If you have anymore questions, please feel free to email me.
Dustin