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Using telephoto lenses and angles that preclude the audience from understanding distances between people in a crowd without knowing the specifications of photog
by goblin89 6y ago
Using telephoto lenses and angles that preclude the audience from understanding distances between people in a crowd without knowing the specifications of photography equipment is absolutely fine for artistic effect, but in documentary shots IMO it treads the line next to bad (regardless of the times) journalism, especially if another composition that allows the viewer to approximate crowd density objectively is possible.
- goblin89 6y agoTo clarify, the blame does not lie entirely with the photojournalist. They may choose to get a shot using a telephoto lens to capture, say, which face expressions dominate the crowd (which may be unfeasible with a wide lens). Now, if this is the only picture the photographer has taken, then both the editor (who had not had a lot of options, though still could go without a photo entirely) and the photographer are guilty of contributing unprofessional journalism. On the other hand, if the editor chose to use only the tele shot while having other angles available, then the editor is culpable (the photographer, only in so much as they do not raise a concern and choose to continue to work with that editor).