Help Me Decide Please: I have an upcoming camera club competition and the genre is black and white photojournalism using PSA standards. I have narrowed it down to these four. Could you...

kenievans Loc: Dallas

I have an upcoming camera club competition and the genre is black and white photojournalism using PSA standards. I have narrowed it down to these four. Could you tell me which one you would choose and why? I just can't decide.

Thanks
Keni

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luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

My personal preference is #2. It gives me more of a story and has a stronger impact. It says to me there is trouble brewing and I want to know more about what's going on. #1 could be 2 guys waiting for a bus. #3 would be a great companion to #2 if the tent and table wasn't present. It gives me more of a feel of there's going to be trouble but we're going to have vendors to sell you stuff while you riot. Just doesn't work for me. #4 could be a group of college kids discussing class homework or where they are going for dinner.

JUST MY OPINION

Dodie

kenievans Loc: Dallas

luvmypets wrote:

My personal preference is #2. It gives me more of... (show quote)

Thank you Dodie. I realize it's all very subjective but I appreciate your feedback. I needed fresh eyes on them.

I think #4 is better in color. Then you could see the guns, one of them is pink camouflage, strapped to the backs of the two girls on the right. Now I know they don't stand out enough in BW. Definitely won't use this one.

luvmypets Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC

kenievans wrote:

Thank you Dodie. I realize it's all very subjective but I appreciate your feedback. I needed fresh eyes on them.

I think #4 is better in color. Then you could see the guns, one of them is pink camouflage, strapped to the backs of the two girls on the right. Now I know they don't stand out enough in BW. Definitely won't use this one.

I hope you will let everyone know which you submit and what happens. Best of luck!!!!

Dodie

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

kenievans wrote:

I have an upcoming camera club competition and the genre is black and white photojournalism using PSA standards.i

I thought true journalism was dead mainly because of political bias. I have to ask: would your club look at your photos 'photographically' or would they look at them as supporting or not supporting a political narrative?

Stephan G

travelwp wrote:

I thought true journalism was dead mainly because of political bias. I have to ask: would your club look at your photos 'photographically' or would they look at them as supporting or not supporting a political narrative?

Ah, the "political bias" card. The "show both sides as equivalents" as opposed to actual actions.

The video on the news this morning exemplified "political bias".

Stephan G

kenievans wrote:

I have an upcoming camera club competition and the genre is black and white photojournalism using PSA standards. I have narrowed it down to these four. Could you tell me which one you would choose and why? I just can't decide.

Thanks
Keni

I am not up to speed with rules for submissions.

As for photojournalism, I do know how photographs tell stories. #2 is the one with a clear and straightforward story depicted. It raises questions to ask and the need for further investigation. It is also grabs the attention of the viewer the quickest.

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

kenievans wrote:

I have an upcoming camera club competition and the genre is black and white photojournalism using PSA standards. I have narrowed it down to these four. Could you tell me which one you would choose and why? I just can't decide.

Thanks
Keni

Number 2.
I have no idea what PSA standards are. But this is the one, in my opinion that tells a story. The two main characters are leaning away from each other, showing caution. He certainly appears interested in her, and she is clearly indicating no interest, and that he should best back off.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

travelwp wrote:

I thought true journalism was dead mainly because of political bias. I have to ask: would your club look at your photos 'photographically' or would they look at them as supporting or not supporting a political narrative?

They only look at them photographically within the definition of photojournalism regardless of politics. This is a good definition from Wikipedia:

"Photojournalism is distinguished from other close branches of photography (e.g., documentary photography, social documentary photography, street photography or celebrity photography) by complying with a rigid ethical framework which demands that the work be both honest and impartial whilst telling the story in strictly journalistic terms."

I think my shots fall within that definition but I am looking for the one that is technically a good photograph and tells the best story.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Stephan G wrote:

I am not up to speed with rules for submissions.

As for photojournalism, I do know how photographs tell stories. #2 is the one with a clear and straightforward story depicted. It raises questions to ask and the need for further investigation. It is also grabs the attention of the viewer the quickest.

Thank you Stephan with a space G. I appreciate the feedback.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

StevenG wrote:

Number 2.
I have no idea what PSA standards are. But this is the one, in my opinion that tells a story. The two main characters are leaning away from each other, showing caution. He certainly appears interested in her, and she is clearly indicating no interest, and that he should best back off.

Thank you Steven without a space G. The story you get from it is interesting. That is not where my mind went but I can see that. I didn't see it like that since I know the where, what and why of the shot.

Voss

Keni, here's one more opinion. #1--scratch it. The two subjects are too isolated from each other, leaving that empty hole in the center. #2--There are four people looking in three and a half directions. To me, it suggests lack of unity, and maybe confusion. #3 is my runner-up. It focuses on the guns, and gives an impression that the person on the right is giving instructions.

And the winner is #4. It's the only one that shows human emotions. She's distressed or upset, and is surrounded by people who are (mostly) listening to her. And the elements of street war are all present: guns, bull horn, medics, and masks. A little more action wouldn't hurt, but it does have a center of interest, emotion, and elements to support the center of interest. And the composition and B&W work are good.

(P.S. a pink gun would steal the photo. And who would take a pink gun seriously?)

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Voss wrote:

Keni, here's one more opinion. #1--scratch it. T... (show quote)

Voss thank for your assessment. I was concerned that #4 was too busy without a defined focal point.

I am a gun owner but yeah pink would not be my choice for a protest.

JimG1 Loc: Waxahachie, TX

I like #2 or #4. Both speak to me of the strife and turmoil we're going through.

travelwp Loc: New Jersey

kenievans wrote:

They only look at them photographically within the definition of photojournalism regardless of politics.

Sounds like you are in a professional group, enjoy your fellow photojournalists and much success with the club competition.

I like #4, it suggests 'unity' more than the others.