Truth Needs No Ally: Inside Photojournalism

by Howard Chapnick

The man called "Mr. Photojournalism" by the Washington Post here offers the most comprehensive book available on documentary photography, covering the history and ethics of the craft as well as practical issues for anyone with a serious interest in photography.

Genres: Photography, Journalism, Nonfiction

382 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1994

Reviews

[Jack D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entirely generic and largely outdated advice when Chapnick isn’t busy name-dropping. I skimmed through just to find professional photographers to study.

Towards the end Chapnick mentions up ethics concerns with upcoming digital photography and computer editing not dissimilar how today’s photographers criticize generative AI.

Although, AI is vastly worse than digital manipulation.

[Maddison Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Social Doc class, it had good information about photo journalism for someone who knew nothing about it. Not sure all the information was necessary, it seemed wordy and bias, but still leavened from it.

[Sasha Smithie · Rating 5 out of 5]

COURSE READING LISTS IVE MISSED YOU 💞💞💞💞

[Anastasiia Bereza · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Камера - это оружие, с помощью которого можно выражать несогласие с тем, что нам не нравится в этом мире".

450-страничный учебник по истории фотожурналистики и одновременное практическое пособие по ней, написанные легко и увлекательно.

Первая, за последнее время книга которую я обнаружила случайно, купила благодаря названию, а теперь могу смело рекомендовать всем, кто интересуется темой.

После "Правды..." Говарда Чапника хочется купить еще пару десятков фотокниг, прочесть множество страниц из Википедии и абсолютно все журналы Life и National Geographic.

Из недостатков издания только объем и мягкий переплет - слишком большая, чтобы читать в дороге, и быстро приобрела не самый опрятный вид после путешествий в сумке.

[Brian Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapnick's title makes absolutely no sense in itself and especially in the context of his (quite useful) text. Of course truth needs an ally; indeed, in Chapnick's time and even more so today, truth is as obscured as those of wealth & powers can make it. Truth and justice exist only through the courage of reporters and photographers in every quarter of the globe. Truth is as fragile as a flower.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is wonderful, filled with stories and practical advice. It's also interesting to take a look back at what the top minds in photojournalism were thinking as the entire industry began to change with the rapid advancement of technology during the 1990's. Amazing how much has changed even since then. Although it's outdated, there is plenty of timeless advice to find within these pages.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE definitive text on photojournalism. History, technique, ethics, you name it and its in here. I'll admit tht it is a bit dated, but it is a guidebook on how to be the ype of pj I want to be, but alas no longer exists.

[Erin Siegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, interesting and of course outdated by now- more of my review at www.rine.wordpress.com