What Motivates Photojournalists

Ruddy Roye

Photo by: Rudy Roye

Rudy Roye represents himself as a whole in a community and is motivated by the ability to have capabilities of taking a photo when no one else can. As he states “I shoot because I see. I shoot because if I don’t, I don’t know who will.” He finds motivation in finding and capturing photos that if weren't taken, would never exist and maybe never of made a difference in the world. My motivations compare to this in the sense that, I will help someone in need no matter the situation knowing that I would be doing it as if no one was watching. No one would be there to capture the moment of assistance I have given for publicity rights. Like Stacy Pearsall states when she was in the army “I did not want to accept defeat, I have been fighting my whole career” she was seen as less developed being a female in the war capturing war photography. No longer would either one of these photojournalists stay quiet and provide nothing less than the other person being shut down by a stigma, lessons were learned in capturing significant events that would've been unspoken of. 

Stephanie Sinclair 

Photo by: Stephanie Sinclair 

Stephanie Sinclair seeks her motivation in the people that are in the photographs she has taken. As she states “I still believe in the power of journalism and photojournalism to spark positive change”, she realizes that the only voice that will get out to the public to spark some interest is the voice of the person who has enough courage to take charge. This being said, it is not easy containing that role but it can be indefinitely outspoken when doing so by taking photos that pull on the heartstrings of individuals. I agree with what her claims are due to the fact that I also believe in change only coming from the one who leads it. You can preach improvement and success all the time and having a losing experience or you can act on what you say and change yourself for the better. 

A reporter Lewis Line found rare and un-well conditions trough child labor and documented many of the photos that could never be seen due to the fact that companies needed to bring in Revenue and make a product at a low cost. This man sought out a change in his time and day and stood up to the world's rough appeal to make a change for the ones who were suffering and unnoticed. Due to many people at the time only viewing children as workers and nothing other than what they want to be, their personal health was blurred and overlooked. Change in these conditions only arose due to someone capturing these painful events and documenting them to the world. If no one took charge then there might have never been a change. 

Stacy Kranitz

Stacy Kranitz

 Photo by: Stacy Kranitz

Stacy Kranitz finds her motivation by seeking another way of making an impact on the world besides being the perfect stereotype, she explores ways through journalism to reach her viewer's hearts. As she explains, “For me it began with this fear of myself as a hermit and a search for a tool that would put me in a position to have to be out engaging with the world everyday” Stacy finds herself to be someone who doesn't reach out to the outside world in ways that seem normal to other people. She finds loopholes that consist of reaching out through social media aspects that build her platform of engagement. I also can find interest in seeking involvement in other ways than providing myself to the public. In some cases being shy and less vocal can come off as a significantly better approach to an audience that doesn't listen. Other significant unappreciated leaders like Kenyan photojournalist Felix Masi were quoted “through the struggle and determination, he turned to the lens” and this allowed him to provide an unspoken improvement on his society. He made changes where others would not seek differences other than what they wish they could do. He fought for the ability to share without imposing his voice to the world.