Photography

UK Journalists Show Support for Professional Photographers

In the always-evolving world of journalism, flexibility with multiple abilities and skills has become just as paramount as writing talents. In moves that promote both cost-cutting and finding multi-faceted workers, the world of journalism has become a realm for people with multimedia backgrounds to thrive and flourish. However, the growth towards this direction has left some of the old school behind, while others are put into uncomfortable situations where their duties happen to include aspects outside of their abilities.

Chicago served as one of the most prime examples of the changing landscape of journalism in 2013 when the Chicago Sun-Times laid off 28 full-time staff photographers to opt for journalists and reporters to handle photographic duties, oftentimes from their smartphones. The results were less than stellar, as you can see in the example below featuring the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win later that summer - on the left is a professional photograph published by the Chicago Tribune, on the right is the photograph published by the Chicago Sun-Times.

The National Union of Journalists in the United Kingdom and Ireland have banded together to protest against the growing change in journalism by refusing to take assignments that should be assigned to professional photographers. The show of solidarity further proves the importance of keeping professional photographers on staff, but also indicates how vital proper photographs can be in crafting the story being written.

The National Union of Journalists thusly ask the question:

Who will be there to do it when [photographers are] gone? An over-stretched reporter or an unpaid member of the public simply whipping out a smart-phone to take a quick snap smacks of exploitation.

The last thing we want happening in the world is mainstream news outlets running stories with TMZ-quality photos and videos. I just shudder at the thought.

[via PetaPixel]

by Geoff Henao

Flash Photography Can Detect Eye Cancer in Children

We always lament and cheer on the latest innovations in technology by focusing on all of the cool things we can do that weren't available to us beforehand, but we don't always cheer on the advancements in everyday technology that can actually save lives. This could be because the large number of us aren't constantly facing medical or health perils on a regular basis, or because we have a tendency to shy away from anything that reminds us of our mortality. Nevertheless, scientists and inventors are finding ways to utilize modern, everyday technology to effectively save lives.

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) has recently begun a poster campaign in the UK to raise awareness about retinoblastoma, a deadly form of eye cancer that targets children. The four posters (which you can see below) have a special reflective ink in the children's pupils that, when taken using the flash from a camera or cameraphone, while show up white, and it's this white appearance that can indicate a tumor within the eye. In fact, the four children chosen for the posters are survivors of retinoblastoma.

While simply utilizing a camera's flash to detect whether or not a child has retinoblastoma may help, visiting an optometrist is always the safest and best route to take when worried about your loved one's health. CHECT also released a video detailing retinoblastoma and their ad campaign that you can watch below.

[iframe id="http://www.fastcocreate.com/embed/393352429c2dc?rel=1&src=embed&veggiemode=1"]

[via Co.Create]

by Geoff Henao