The opening of the World Press Photo exhibit in Manila, led to some pretty powerful words about images.
"Indeed, no event that takes place in the world can be so inconsequential as to escape the scrutiny of the camera lens, whether it is in politics, the economy, the arts and humanities, scientific research and technological advance, or environmental protection and conservation.
It is true: a picture is worth more than a thousand words. And photojournalists are out there precisely to remind us, on a daily basis, that where words are simply inadequate to describe what is happening around us, the click of the camera shutter can often work wonders to bring the rest of the world what would otherwise go unnoticed. "
Skip the fodder at the beginning and get to the meat, it's worth the read.

At a time when many predicted the death of photojournalism, thanks to new media, it appears to be not only still alive, but also thriving.

Look up consistency in the dictionary and you'll see a picture of this guy. Mike Stocker has won just about every honor imaginable in the world of photojournalism, numerous awards from World Press, POY, a 1st place portfolio at the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar a few years ago, and he's this year's Southern Short Course Photographer of the Year. And, it was just brought to my attention that my friend/co-worker/mentor Mike, has just become the Region 6 Photographer of the Year as well. Quite an honor when you know who his competition is. Congratulations Mike! (i'll pass along a link for some of the clips that helped Mike when, whenever they get around to updating the NPPA Region 6 site).

The New York Times pictorial reminder of the year.

i appologize for the lack of posts lately. i've been out-of-town and the world's slowest connection made the thought of anything beyond basic email a headache. so, without further hesitation, here is something to mull over while i get a chance to catch up on the news in pjland.
same photographer! similar style? World Press Photo of the Year 2000 vs. Mr.Winkle.
i can't make this shit up.

hey, it's official. we're finally someone's site of the week. how cool. thanks monkeypond.

The book opens with this epigraph from Dante's "Inferno": "Through me is the way to the sorrowful city. Through me is the way to join the lost people."
"I don't want people to be concerned about me. I want them to be concerned about the people in the pictures." There's power in James Nachtwey's words about his pictures -- which are some of the most powerful images ever made.

the geranium: nature's camera

"Helen Levitt is considered "a photographer's photographer" -- little known by the public, but revered by fellow photographers. She doesn't enjoy talking about her life, and doesn't find it terribly interesting. But Helen Levitt has led a remarkable life. Levitt created some of the most indelible photographs of New York City street scenes in the 1930s and 40s. It was a time when indoor temptations didn't yet lure people off the street. Levitt would walk all over the city, shooting, for the most part, in the streets of Spanish Harlem."
Listen to the rest of NPR's interview.

Well, I've known for years that this kid is going to be huge. It's about time the rest of the world got clued in. Check out pages 100-101 of the January 2002 issue of PDN Magazine for a nice, little spread on our very own Eric J. Larson.

You want fun, energetic photos? Meet Michael Laughlin. This guy's good. Really good. And, he's got soul. And, I'm lucky enough to work with him.

After reading the PDN article on the emerging Danish photographers a few months ago, I've kept my eye out for one in particular, Jan Dago, whose images blew me away. In 2001, he was named a Magnum nominee. It was through Magnum's site that I found his home page. It's essays like his that make me want to shoot more/better/powerful photos. His images also prove that photojournalism is not dead.

advertising with powerful photos and social responsibility in mind. prepare to spend some time at this site, and in the end, try to remember that they sell clothes.

three-time pulitzer prize winning photojournalist carol guzy speaks about the art of taking pictures and the emotional toll it has.

contest time is upon us.
the POY deadline was last Friday, i hope those who were planning to enter made it in time.
The World Press Photo deadline is January 17. (enter. you get a free book, win or lose).
And the NPPA is having a contest of its own this year. the deadline is February 15.

there's a really nice selection of new essays coming. david holloway explores the south during arkansas' chuck wagon races. rich glickstein uncovers a hidden main street in columbia, s.c. and jen friendberg uses her diana camera to make magical images of everyday life. they'll be up in the essay section by mid-february. please check back.

finally.
there's a new essay, a random assortment of images taken "in the evening", for you to see over at visualdiaries.
now i just wish the folks at untitled magazine and handheld magazine would get off their asses and publish something new. (grin)

see why they're the best in the business? consistency, consistency, consistency.

how wide is america? the way photographer matt frondorf measures, the answer is 3,304 photos - one 35mm shot for every mile. [kick ass link via lucious lex. thanks alex.]

nice. very nice.

3 new member galleries have been added: chris curry, ryan holloway, and jacob langston.

worth a look:
national geographic is has a special spot now where they are showcasing one of their photos each day.
and i've also added pulitzer-prize winning photojournalist david hume kennerly to the masters section on the "elsewhere" page. kennerly has been everywhere and done everything in his 35 years as a photographer, and continues going strong. go visit his site and learn from one of the masters.