Blog Assignment: Photography Ethics

I would like to share this video which i find really apt as we discuss about photography ethics.



I belive in this time and age, we have to practice some critical skills as we view photos that we come across in our daily lives. We have to learn not to take photos at face value, but ponder into its sources and credibilty.

In order to make a more informed judgement of whatever photos we see in the media, as viewers, i believe we have to take a more pro-active approach in looking at various alternative media or sources. By gaining a wider perspectives and a spectrum of information, we can then aggregate our exposure and ultimately passing a more balanced judgement.

Should i ever be a news reporter, i believe that reporting news objectively is of utmost importance. If a picture of a car wreck has received feedback on being too horrifying, it however, does not warrant an immediate take down. There are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly, to what extent has the image caused discomfort to my viewers? one? tens? hundreds or thousands?

Secondly, what is the proximity of the accident to my target audience? It is a local accident? If it is, all the more i should not retract it as it will serve a message to remind my audience to take extra caution while on the road.

Lastly, does the photo reflect the actual state of the accident in a fair and just manner? if it is not, which mean to say the photo could be have been blown out of proportion, then i suppose it deserves to be taken down. If not, it should stay.

Thus, ethics, as usual as it is, does not have a definite answer to it. It all boils down to sound evaluation of the situation and also, considering values and meanings attached to our cultures and society at large.