Sunday, 11 December 2011
Nightlife Photography Primary Research
My e-mail
Hi,
My nameis Kay Fenech and I am a 3rd year student at UCLan (Preston, Uk), studying BA(Hons) in photography. I have taken up night life photography, so far taking pictures just in a couple clubs, capturing pictures of people dancing and having fun really. I was wondering if I could ask you a couple questions assomeone who already works within the industry.
What equipment do you generally use? I have been using a Canon 5D and a canon speedlite 580ex ii.
Do you work freelance? I don’t know much about the industry to be honest, I am quite new to it, howeverI find myself really enjoying it and would love to get into it after University.I am not sure how competitive this industry is yet and I was wondering what you think from your own experience.
Do you keep a printed portfolio with you? Or do your employers refer to your website to see your imagery?
I would really appreciate any help and advice you may offer,
Thanks a lot,
Kay Fenech
Responses
Tom Horton
Dear Kay
In a nutshell:
There is a huge amount of competition.
There is practically no money to be made.
But if you enjoy it, keep going.
Don't give your pictures away for nothing, and always charge a fee (even if just to cover your expenses).
I suppose Manchester and Liverpool are you best bets for getting out to decent clubs.
Above all have fun :)
Kind regards
Tom
Nikola Tamindzic
Hello Kay,
All the technical and shooting info is here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157594547230536/#comment72157594562139241
I stopped taking nightlife photos almost 4 years ago, so I shared the "secret sauce" with people interested in the style. I can't help you much with "industry" recommendations — I got my break shooting for Gawker.com in late 2004, because owner saw some party photos I casually took at a friend's party. Lucky break! I shot for Vogue.com later on, and that came through work for Gawker.
I never worked for bar owners, promoters, etc. — normally that's where the money is, but I wasn't interested in working for them, I was interested in shooting for editorials. (People in magazines are generally less scummy/shady people that nightlife promoters.)
I've no idea how competitive is — nightlife in particular is pretty saturated from what I can see, because it's one of the easiest things to get into; that's how I got into it as well. Parties are fun and colourful and interesting, so you don't have to work too hard at coming up with a nice set of good photos.
If I have any advice for you, it would be to cut your galleries down to no more than 25-40 photos each: anything larger than that will make the gallery boring to everyone who wasn't at the party. I'm saying this because you'll likely be tempted to post as many photos as possible, so that everyone who was at the party sees their photo and hopefully passes your name around. True — your name will get around, but so will tons of average photos that will make you seem a more boring photographer than a good, tight edit would. (An editor friend of mine just said to me, "Kill your babies." That's it, really.)
For nightlife work, I never had a print portfolio. I could've used some at a later point, but I already decided to leave that genre. Nowadays, of course, I have a portrait and fashion portfolio — it's necessary in those genres.
Good luck w/ everything — best, NT
Nikola Tamindzic
Hi,
My nameis Kay Fenech and I am a 3rd year student at UCLan (Preston, Uk), studying BA(Hons) in photography. I have taken up night life photography, so far taking pictures just in a couple clubs, capturing pictures of people dancing and having fun really. I was wondering if I could ask you a couple questions assomeone who already works within the industry.
What equipment do you generally use? I have been using a Canon 5D and a canon speedlite 580ex ii.
Do you work freelance? I don’t know much about the industry to be honest, I am quite new to it, howeverI find myself really enjoying it and would love to get into it after University.I am not sure how competitive this industry is yet and I was wondering what you think from your own experience.
Do you keep a printed portfolio with you? Or do your employers refer to your website to see your imagery?
I would really appreciate any help and advice you may offer,
Thanks a lot,
Kay Fenech
Responses
Tom Horton
Dear Kay
In a nutshell:
There is a huge amount of competition.
There is practically no money to be made.
But if you enjoy it, keep going.
Don't give your pictures away for nothing, and always charge a fee (even if just to cover your expenses).
I suppose Manchester and Liverpool are you best bets for getting out to decent clubs.
Above all have fun :)
Kind regards
Tom
Nikola Tamindzic
Hello Kay,
All the technical and shooting info is here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/strobist/discuss/72157594547230536/#comment72157594562139241
I stopped taking nightlife photos almost 4 years ago, so I shared the "secret sauce" with people interested in the style. I can't help you much with "industry" recommendations — I got my break shooting for Gawker.com in late 2004, because owner saw some party photos I casually took at a friend's party. Lucky break! I shot for Vogue.com later on, and that came through work for Gawker.
I never worked for bar owners, promoters, etc. — normally that's where the money is, but I wasn't interested in working for them, I was interested in shooting for editorials. (People in magazines are generally less scummy/shady people that nightlife promoters.)
I've no idea how competitive is — nightlife in particular is pretty saturated from what I can see, because it's one of the easiest things to get into; that's how I got into it as well. Parties are fun and colourful and interesting, so you don't have to work too hard at coming up with a nice set of good photos.
If I have any advice for you, it would be to cut your galleries down to no more than 25-40 photos each: anything larger than that will make the gallery boring to everyone who wasn't at the party. I'm saying this because you'll likely be tempted to post as many photos as possible, so that everyone who was at the party sees their photo and hopefully passes your name around. True — your name will get around, but so will tons of average photos that will make you seem a more boring photographer than a good, tight edit would. (An editor friend of mine just said to me, "Kill your babies." That's it, really.)
For nightlife work, I never had a print portfolio. I could've used some at a later point, but I already decided to leave that genre. Nowadays, of course, I have a portrait and fashion portfolio — it's necessary in those genres.
Good luck w/ everything — best, NT
Nikola Tamindzic
Tod Seelie
Hi Kay,
I'd be happy to answer some questions for you.
What equipment do you generally use? I have been using a Canon 5D and
a canon speedlite 580ex ii.
- I use the same equipment you do, so seems like you're already ahead
of a lot of those in the game.
Do you work freelance? I am not sure how competitive this industry is
yet and I was wondering what you think from your own experience.
- Nightlife photography is like most other types of photography, which
are typically freelance. Really the only exception to freelance in
photography are the few staff photographers left at newspapers that
are still surviving these days. The industry as a whole is kind of
going down the tubes. It is suffering from the double-team of
shrinking publications (and their ad revenue) as well as a flooded
workforce due to the affordability and technological advances of
digital cameras. So you have fewer clients willing to pay and a huge
surge in people competing for the shrinking revenue streams. It's
become a bit of a route for masochists these days, not that it wasn't
a bit before.
Do you keep a printed portfolio with you? Or do your employers refer
to your website to see your imagery?
- I keep a printed portfolio ready, yes, but it's become rare that
people ask you to drop it off anymore. There is a lot more focus on
your website, since it is instantly and always available. But I do
bring my book with me when I can get a meeting with an editor/art
director. My advice would be focus on your website first, as that can
always serve as an impromptu portfolio on your laptop in a pinch.
I hope this was helpful!
Tod Seelie
Conclusion
I didn’t really receive a great number of responses from night life photographers, however the few that I did I found helpful. It seems generally photographers are using Canons and Speedlites, which is what I have been using and which will also benefit me in photojournalism. Photographers in nightlife photography seem a bit more optimistic in regards to employment within this industry. I researched lots of nightlife photography agencies and it seems on average in the Uk photojournalists are earning between £40-£80 a night, which is relatively decent.
Nikola Tamindzic gave good advice when she told me to keep my images to a small number, between 25-40, something which I have probably been told a hundred times before at University. This prompted me to go through my blog and delete most of the images.
On the whole they seem to carry with them hardcopies of a portfolio, however, I think the focus needs to be a decent website, because it’s quick, easy for employers to access and with a good number of imagery available.
Below is an e-mail response which I received from Nicholas Gazin, who seemed to be advertising himself as a night life photographer which is why I initially contacted him, however he is perhaps more of a voyeur. Additionally I was amused by the profound ending ‘Also, I don’t consider photography an art’ to his already eloquent e-mail response.
Nicholas Gazin
I don't have a portfolio or seek out work as a photographer. I mainly use a Canon Rebel and my iPhone. I have a blog where I post photos that I take of girls.
http://nicholasgazin.tumblr.com/
Also, I don't consider photography an art.
http://nicholasgazin.tumblr.com/
Also, I don't consider photography an art.
Photojournalism Primary Research
My e-mail
Hi,
My name is Kay Fenech and I am studying BA Hons Photography at UCLan (Preston, Uk), with a particular interest in photojournalism. I am conducting some research into this field and was wondering if you could help me by answering the following questions.
What equipment do you find you use most and why?
Are you ever expected to write articles to go with your imagery, just caption, or simply hand in the images with no text?
Thank you for your time and help,
Kay Fenech
Hi,
My name is Kay Fenech and I am studying BA Hons Photography at UCLan (Preston, Uk), with a particular interest in photojournalism. I am conducting some research into this field and was wondering if you could help me by answering the following questions.
What equipment do you find you use most and why?
Are you ever expected to write articles to go with your imagery, just caption, or simply hand in the images with no text?
Thank you for your time and help,
Kay Fenech
Responses
Julie Denesha
Dear Kay,
Thank you so much for your interest.
I primarily use Nikon D3 cameras and lenses: 14-24mm, 24-70mm and a 70-200mm.
More and more, I am expected to bring a digital video camera in
addition to my digital cameras and I usually depend on a combination
of my D7000, a GoPro Hero and a digital sound recorder.
I always am expected, at minimum, to provide caption information
following AP Style, and sometimes expected to provide text beyond
captions.
I hope this helps! Good luck with your report.
All the Best,
Julie
Zoriah
Hi,
My name is Kay Fenech and I am studying BA Hons Photography at UCLan (Preston, Uk), with a particular interest in photojournalism. I am conducting some research into this field and was wondering if you could help me by answering the following questions.
What equipment do you find you use most and why?
Fast wide lenses are good for low light and tight spaces. Strong, environmentally sealed bodies are best for in the field.
Are you ever expected to write articles to go with your imagery, just caption, or simply hand in the images with no text?
Depends on the client. Some of all of the above.
Thank you for your time and help,
Kay Fenech
Edmund Terakopian
Hi Kay,
I use my Leica M9 the most, because it's inconspicuous, and uses the best lenses ever made, so extremely high image quality.
Although I do write for the British Journal of Photography, in my photography for the papers and magazines, I don't write articles. I do however write in-depth picture captions and metadata before wiring in any pictures. This is essential.
Good luck with the course. If they don't already, demand from your course leader that they teach you all about copyright.
Regards,
Edmond
KarimMerie
Hi Kay,
Please see the posts on my blog for equipment and tech I use for each job.
I usually work for clients so there is a press release that goes out with myimages [which I am sent] or the clients press office adds relevant text to myimages.
In my picture agency days I would send images with basic captioning only,really depends on your agency.
I wish you well on your studies.
Karim
Ben Krain
I use canon digital SLRs
usually 2 camera bodies, brand and type chosen by the company I work for.
Currently it's a Canon IV and 7D
One has a wide angle zoom and one has a telephoto zoom.
I much prefer wide angle because I am able to do so much more with my composition and give the image depth instead of the flat perspective a long lens gives.
I work for a newspaper but every photojournalist should supply some information about the images they shoot. I write concise captions on every photo I submit but am not responsible for the article.
Hope this helps
Best on all your adventures
Ben Krain
Bradley Secker
Hi Kay, cheers for your email.
I most often use my Canon 7D with either a 16-35mm f2.8 lens or 24-105mm f4.
This is because my work usually involves getting close to my subjects and spending lengthy periods of time together. The results are also better with these two lenses as they offer anything I want to shoot in terms of focal length and aperture, especially in low light. There's still the flexibility of a little zoom too.
I'm always asked for clear and concise image captions by agencies and picture editors, and although its not necessary to provide a lengthy written article to accompany the images, I more than likely will as it provides more platform for them to be published. That's just my opinion though I suppose. A lot of other hoot journalist friends don't write such long accompaniments as myself and their work does very well.
I find that a written article provides the audience with more contextualisation for the images, background info and maybe something about the individual if necessary in some stories.
Sorry to be quite brief but I'm pretty tired. Hope that answers your questions and has shed a little more light on the subject from my perspective.
Best, and night.
Bradley
Ed Thompson
Hi Kay,
I use cameras the most, as I'm a photographer. Both film and digital.
Every photograph is fully captioned with place, date, series info and description as well as my contact info. I send off a few hundred words about each series to my agencies. If you don't write your details embedded in your photographs then they can become "orphan works" and idiots try and publish them and not pay you.
I do write essays, but only for publications in other countries, most UK mags have their own staff writers.
Best,
Ed
Brent Stirton
Hello Kay I use Canon Eos 5d mk 2 cameras, they are discreet, quiet, reliable, robust and produce an excellent file quality. I use a 35mm 1.4 lens and a 24-70 2.8 lens most often, they are the focal lengths that best reflect human interaction for me.
I always caption and occasionally I write complete feature articles, those usually happen if I am the only person there.
Take care
Brent Stirton
Michael Kamber
kay i'm running for baghdad and can't answer at lenght. i usually use a Canon 5D mkII. it's the standard camera that 905 of us use. also the M9 once once in a while but the canon is the go-to piece fo gear with a 24-70 zoom lens. lately i'm using teh canon and not hte leica, the canon has better low light.
i work as a writer too, so i'm not typical at all. i usually just turn in pix with captions if that's what they want. but i also do a lot of stuff with video. i'm a freelancer and it helps to know many things today.
here is a post i wrote that may help you
http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/advice_for_young_photographers
best, m
Julie Denesha
Dear Kay,
Thank you so much for your interest.
I primarily use Nikon D3 cameras and lenses: 14-24mm, 24-70mm and a 70-200mm.
More and more, I am expected to bring a digital video camera in
addition to my digital cameras and I usually depend on a combination
of my D7000, a GoPro Hero and a digital sound recorder.
I always am expected, at minimum, to provide caption information
following AP Style, and sometimes expected to provide text beyond
captions.
I hope this helps! Good luck with your report.
All the Best,
Julie
Zoriah
Hi,
My name is Kay Fenech and I am studying BA Hons Photography at UCLan (Preston, Uk), with a particular interest in photojournalism. I am conducting some research into this field and was wondering if you could help me by answering the following questions.
What equipment do you find you use most and why?
Fast wide lenses are good for low light and tight spaces. Strong, environmentally sealed bodies are best for in the field.
Are you ever expected to write articles to go with your imagery, just caption, or simply hand in the images with no text?
Depends on the client. Some of all of the above.
Thank you for your time and help,
Kay Fenech
Edmund Terakopian
Hi Kay,
I use my Leica M9 the most, because it's inconspicuous, and uses the best lenses ever made, so extremely high image quality.
Although I do write for the British Journal of Photography, in my photography for the papers and magazines, I don't write articles. I do however write in-depth picture captions and metadata before wiring in any pictures. This is essential.
Good luck with the course. If they don't already, demand from your course leader that they teach you all about copyright.
Regards,
Edmond
KarimMerie
Hi Kay,
Please see the posts on my blog for equipment and tech I use for each job.
I usually work for clients so there is a press release that goes out with myimages [which I am sent] or the clients press office adds relevant text to myimages.
In my picture agency days I would send images with basic captioning only,really depends on your agency.
I wish you well on your studies.
Karim
Ben Krain
I use canon digital SLRs
usually 2 camera bodies, brand and type chosen by the company I work for.
Currently it's a Canon IV and 7D
One has a wide angle zoom and one has a telephoto zoom.
I much prefer wide angle because I am able to do so much more with my composition and give the image depth instead of the flat perspective a long lens gives.
I work for a newspaper but every photojournalist should supply some information about the images they shoot. I write concise captions on every photo I submit but am not responsible for the article.
Hope this helps
Best on all your adventures
Ben Krain
Bradley Secker
Hi Kay, cheers for your email.
I most often use my Canon 7D with either a 16-35mm f2.8 lens or 24-105mm f4.
This is because my work usually involves getting close to my subjects and spending lengthy periods of time together. The results are also better with these two lenses as they offer anything I want to shoot in terms of focal length and aperture, especially in low light. There's still the flexibility of a little zoom too.
I'm always asked for clear and concise image captions by agencies and picture editors, and although its not necessary to provide a lengthy written article to accompany the images, I more than likely will as it provides more platform for them to be published. That's just my opinion though I suppose. A lot of other hoot journalist friends don't write such long accompaniments as myself and their work does very well.
I find that a written article provides the audience with more contextualisation for the images, background info and maybe something about the individual if necessary in some stories.
Sorry to be quite brief but I'm pretty tired. Hope that answers your questions and has shed a little more light on the subject from my perspective.
Best, and night.
Bradley
Ed Thompson
Hi Kay,
I use cameras the most, as I'm a photographer. Both film and digital.
Every photograph is fully captioned with place, date, series info and description as well as my contact info. I send off a few hundred words about each series to my agencies. If you don't write your details embedded in your photographs then they can become "orphan works" and idiots try and publish them and not pay you.
I do write essays, but only for publications in other countries, most UK mags have their own staff writers.
Best,
Ed
Brent Stirton
Hello Kay I use Canon Eos 5d mk 2 cameras, they are discreet, quiet, reliable, robust and produce an excellent file quality. I use a 35mm 1.4 lens and a 24-70 2.8 lens most often, they are the focal lengths that best reflect human interaction for me.
I always caption and occasionally I write complete feature articles, those usually happen if I am the only person there.
Take care
Brent Stirton
Michael Kamber
kay i'm running for baghdad and can't answer at lenght. i usually use a Canon 5D mkII. it's the standard camera that 905 of us use. also the M9 once once in a while but the canon is the go-to piece fo gear with a 24-70 zoom lens. lately i'm using teh canon and not hte leica, the canon has better low light.
i work as a writer too, so i'm not typical at all. i usually just turn in pix with captions if that's what they want. but i also do a lot of stuff with video. i'm a freelancer and it helps to know many things today.
here is a post i wrote that may help you
http://www.lightstalkers.org/posts/advice_for_young_photographers
best, m
Jide Alakija
Hi Kay,
Thanks for your message and so sorry that I'm only replying it right now. Your email got 'burried' in the whole mist of my other work emails. I hope my reply is not too late for your request.
Equipment
Canon EOS-5D DSLR Mk II DSLR x 2
Canon EOS-1D MkIII DSLR - SOLD
Canon EOS-5D DSLR - SOLD
Canon EOS-10D DSLR
Canon 24mm f/1.4 II L
Canon 35mm f/1.4 L
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 85mm f/1.4
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM - Damaged
Canon 50mm f/1.8 MkII - Damaged
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS
Canon 24-70mm L f/2.8
Canon 16-35mm L f/2.8 MkII
Canon 580EX Speedlite - Damaged
Canon 580EX II Speedlite x 2
Canon Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2 - No longer in use
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 - Stolen
Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Lowepro Pro Roller 1
Sigma EX 30mm f/1.4 - Stolen
Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8 - Stolen
Velbon Tripod - No longer in use
Canon EOS-1D MkIII DSLR - SOLD
Canon EOS-5D DSLR - SOLD
Canon EOS-10D DSLR
Canon 24mm f/1.4 II L
Canon 35mm f/1.4 L
Sigma 50mm f/1.4
Sigma 85mm f/1.4
Canon 50mm f/1.4 USM - Damaged
Canon 50mm f/1.8 MkII - Damaged
Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon 70-200mm L f/2.8 IS
Canon 24-70mm L f/2.8
Canon 16-35mm L f/2.8 MkII
Canon 580EX Speedlite - Damaged
Canon 580EX II Speedlite x 2
Canon Off-Camera Shoe Cord 2 - No longer in use
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 - Stolen
Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Lowepro Pro Roller 1
Sigma EX 30mm f/1.4 - Stolen
Sigma EX 18-50mm f/2.8 - Stolen
Velbon Tripod - No longer in use
Software
Plugins
I'm not usually expected to write text, captions or stories to go with my images as I deliver mostly wedding images. It's good practice to do so however.
Kind Regards,
Jide Alakija
Creative Director
David Brabyn
Hi,
My name is Kay Fenech and I amstudying BA Hons Photography at UCLan (Preston, Uk), with a particular interestin photojournalism. I am conducting some research into this field and waswondering if you could help me byanswering the following questions.
What equipment do you find you usemost and why?
Canon EOS 1D mk3
16-35mm f2.8
PhotoShop
Are you ever expected to write articles to go with your imagery, just caption, or simply hand in the images with no text?
no texts, but always captioned images. There is a tendency for photographers who write texts are often seen as unable to do either well for some reason. Same for writers who photograph.
Conclusion
I am aware that the primary research I conducted received a limited number of responses; however, there is a general analogy within the responses. Moreover, most of the photojournalists are concerned with low light and spaces. Furthermore they are predominantly buying wide angle lenses which are able to achieve a large aperture. Canon seems to be the favoured ‘make’, I am not quite sure what the reason behind this is, perhaps it’s merely coincidence, however I intend on contacting the people who responded back and ask the ones who use canons if there is a specific reason why they have chosen Canon over say Nikon.
The only photographer who said they did not write captions was Jide Alakijs and the reason only being that he mainly produces wedding photography. The rest all said they send captions along with their imagery, Demotix who I previously researched also put a lot of emphasis on the importance of captions being sent with their imagery. Generally the responses indicated that sometimes they need to write articles, which further encourages me to develop writing and journalism skills.
I think Ed Thompson gave some good advice when he said, ‘If you don't write your details embedded in your photographs then they can become "orphan works" and idiots try and publish them and not pay you.’ I have never watermarked an image before, but I think it’s something I need to start practising and taking into consideration.
Friday, 9 December 2011
Media Coverage
An avocation of mine is reading newspaper articles, even though for the most part its bad news, I generally think its important news, news which I should know and not avoid. I have always been aggravated by the fact that when I am reading an article, in the back of my mind I always try tell myself not to believe it just because I read it. Furthermore I tend to be a fastidious reader; my favourite world news newspaper has been The Guardian for a long time, back in Malta I used to stick to The Times of Malta. I fear tabloid newspapers and their ability to distort the truth. In fact spread on the bar where I work, every day without fail, lay the latest copy of The Sun, The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail, but regardless of how interesting their front page story may seem, I refuse to read their articles and this is because I know that something in there is potentially going to be fed to my brain and stick even though I don’t want it to, on the grounds of their reputation.
With the intention of keeping up to date with what is going on in Malta I now read The Times of Malta online. Today as I scrolled down the list of latest headlines with thumbnail photos adjacent, I was stopped in my tracks by a specific article. It was not the subject matter which affected me, it was the tiny photograph I could see placed next to the headline, ‘Maximilian Ciantar re-arrested after Attorney-General's appeal’. I clicked on the link to open the article and before even getting a chance to read it, I am faced with a large poor quality image of a man sat on a leather couch, eyes lowered, not looking at the camera as he takes in a drag from his cigarette. Perhaps it’s just me, but I can’t help but thinking this picture is absolutely ridiculous. Prior to reading the article I felt irritated, I didn’t yet know anything about Maximilian Ciantar, but The Times of Malta seemed to essentially be advancing my comprehension by illuminating that fact that he’s bad with this nonsensical, essentially gangster like photo. I read through the short article and found the first sentence of the fifth paragraph most interesting; ‘Dr Joe Brincat, who is appearing for Mr Ciantar, said this case had been sensationalised by the media and the charges were not serious enough to merit his client being kept behind bars.’ In addition, I scrolled down to read reader’s comments, which although I never leave myself, I can’t help but mentally judge most of the ones I read, it’s almost impossible not to. Nevertheless, as expected, everyone basically hated Mr. Ciantar.
With the intention of keeping up to date with what is going on in Malta I now read The Times of Malta online. Today as I scrolled down the list of latest headlines with thumbnail photos adjacent, I was stopped in my tracks by a specific article. It was not the subject matter which affected me, it was the tiny photograph I could see placed next to the headline, ‘Maximilian Ciantar re-arrested after Attorney-General's appeal’. I clicked on the link to open the article and before even getting a chance to read it, I am faced with a large poor quality image of a man sat on a leather couch, eyes lowered, not looking at the camera as he takes in a drag from his cigarette. Perhaps it’s just me, but I can’t help but thinking this picture is absolutely ridiculous. Prior to reading the article I felt irritated, I didn’t yet know anything about Maximilian Ciantar, but The Times of Malta seemed to essentially be advancing my comprehension by illuminating that fact that he’s bad with this nonsensical, essentially gangster like photo. I read through the short article and found the first sentence of the fifth paragraph most interesting; ‘Dr Joe Brincat, who is appearing for Mr Ciantar, said this case had been sensationalised by the media and the charges were not serious enough to merit his client being kept behind bars.’ In addition, I scrolled down to read reader’s comments, which although I never leave myself, I can’t help but mentally judge most of the ones I read, it’s almost impossible not to. Nevertheless, as expected, everyone basically hated Mr. Ciantar.
Below are two examples of reader’s comments.
Zagroma Savrene
Today, 16:14
Just throw him in a cell or something, I'm bored of hearing about stuff this wanna be tough guy is doing.
R Axisa
Today, 17:54
Jien tghallimt li ghal kull att li taghmel hemm konsegwenza, sew fit-tajjeb u sew fil-hazin. Imma f'dal-kaz, il-konsegwenzi ma ezistewx.
Translation:
I learnt that for everything you do in life there are consequences, which go for what you do that is good and what you do that is bad. However in this case no consequences existed.
Zagroma Savrene
Today, 16:14
Just throw him in a cell or something, I'm bored of hearing about stuff this wanna be tough guy is doing.
R Axisa
Today, 17:54
Jien tghallimt li ghal kull att li taghmel hemm konsegwenza, sew fit-tajjeb u sew fil-hazin. Imma f'dal-kaz, il-konsegwenzi ma ezistewx.
Translation:
I learnt that for everything you do in life there are consequences, which go for what you do that is good and what you do that is bad. However in this case no consequences existed.
This article got me thinking, this happens all the time and I am never surprised by the public reaction. The concept of ‘innocent until proven guilty’ doesn’t seem to generally exist amongst the public. Moreover, when a girl shouts ‘rape’ we automatically point our finger and shout ‘rapist’ and even if the accused’s charges are dropped, that one indictment can follow them forever. As strongly as I believe in the power of information, I certainly believe there are flaws in the system which are potentially sabotaging the lives of innocent people. To an even worse extreme, I started to think about individuals who have been labelled as the ‘bad guy’ by the media and then have to face a jury in court, I think it’s alarming to consider how many innocent people are sent to prison when they are conceivably innocent, yet their argument has been lost within the turmoil of the reputation the media has built for them.
Subsequently I began to read up on how media coverage can affect court cases. The first article I read extended the dispute even further. The article entitled ‘Children in African Communities put at risk by inaccurate media reports’, discusses how fallacious media reporting on child abuse in Africa ‘will put children at greater risk by driving the practice underground…’ (McCormack, H). Furthermore the media had been reporting allegations from a leaked police report as fact, this characterizes the African community and further alienates them from the rest of the world altogether. Suddenly we begin to think all children in Africa are in danger and we believe this based on media reports. McCormack makes a worthy comparison when she makes mention of the consequence of media coverage post 9/11. Suddenly, much of the western world who previously did not have much of an opinion on the Muslim nation would automatically think ‘terrorist’ at the mention of the word Muslim. This reminded me of a conversation I had one evening a couple months ago. I was in a bar having a few drinks and made a visit to the smoking area, possibly one of the most conversational places ever, where tipsy/drunk strangers fall into discussion. My one cigarette multiplied itself into about five as I met two guys from Afghanistan and we began to drunkenly debate political issues. The conversation deviated itself to their position in western society. They bemoaned the fact that when people look at them or listen to them speak in their language they often receive antagonistic responses. Perhaps the most unfortunate part of this is not that they felt this way, but that I was in no way shocked, this was a mundane truth which has developed and worsened over the years. I could not tell them they were being paranoid, it was true. The media had taken the small population of extremists and expanded it over the entire Muslim population. Suddenly the religious chant ‘Allah hu akbar’, simply meaning God is greater, became the chants of terrorists to an evil God, leading to countless Allah hu akbar terrorist jokes and the word terrorist itself being used so many times by the media it’s somewhat banal now.
Going back to court cases, I read an article on the BBC News website entitled ‘Net news ‘threatens court cases’. In this article Lord Falconer is arguing that articles which may affect trials need to be temporarily taken off the internet and this applies to articles written in the past concerning the accused party. According to the 1981 Act, under the contempt of court, reporters must be careful not to publish or transmit anything which may pose ‘a substantial risk of serious prejudice’ to a fair trial, and this includes the accused’s previous convictions, unless they are being discussed in an open court room. The obstacle faced here is the fact that many articles are legitimately written prior to an individual’s arrest, which can be harmful because they are still available on online archives. Charles Collier Wright a group legal manager at Trinity Mirror opposes Lord Falconer’s appeal to temporarily remove articles during the run-up to court cases arguing that this is an absurd idea and that information has always been available to people in libraries. Furthermore Collier Wright makes a fair point, however the information wasn’t so simple to get to, very few of the general public would bother themselves with going to the library in order to research any allegations being made. However today, if the allegations are even somewhat interesting, by the click of a few buttons and a little pressure on some keys, you’re fully informed, in the comfort of your own home - easy. Catrin Turner a partner and online law specialist too has disputes over Lord Falconer’s scheme for a solution. In the BBC article she is quoted saying, ‘websites are hosted on servers all over the world… if one hoster is ordered to remove information because it is in contempt, it is very easy for that information to pop up on another website.’ I comprehend Turner’s argument and I think it’s a strong point, however I considered if certain restrictions were being enforced and articles were being removed, particularly off prestigious/notorious sources, perhaps, this would lead to less widespread coverage and less amplification on the media’s behalf. Turner also mentions cache, which are invisible copies on the internet of what has been deleted, which are still fundamentally accessible. This point I believe is a bit similar to Collier Wright’s argument. Although the information is accessible through Cache the general public are not likely to attempt to access it. The only risk here being that proficient computer users have the ability to with ease and may republish the material, however with legal risks, thus limiting the aftermath.
The problem being discussed is not just internet related and recent; the issue has found itself arising for years. In an article entitled ‘Media Coverage Stops Trials’ discussing trials being having to be halted, reassesses and jurors being dropped was written in 1995. A QC specialising in media law conveyed that judges were underestimating juror’s capacity to ignore prejudicial reporting. ‘Most jurors are able to look at the evidence in court and ignore press coverage, often many months earlier, particularly when reminded of their duty by the judge.’ The juror’s job essentially is to enter a court room and listen to the evidence being put fourth, the arguments the lawyers make, defending and accusing and make a decision based on that. But I can’t help but feel this task is quite difficult, particularly with high profile cases, and/or for defendants such as Muslims who as I discussed have already been generally given a bad reputation. It’s so difficult not to absorb your surroundings; we are affected by everything that is said around us. I remember years ago, when I used to study art and design, our teacher told us that one of the most difficult things to do as a designer is to not without the intention of, copy someone else’s work. This is because, one of the most said words had always been ‘research’. Research, research, research, we had to look at pictures, paintings and products all the time. We would look at so many we would forget what we had looked at and sometimes you think you have come up with a great idea and you head back to do more research to develop it and you realise that it’s been done before, in fact you probably seen it and forgot. Your brain absorbs things, this is why I make an effort not to read articles from certain newspapers, because I remember when I would pick up a silly tabloid newspaper perhaps in a waiting room somewhere or at work, I would later mix the information I read with the rest and eventually forget where I read what. This makes me think of a court case, imagine the media constantly labelling and putting forth allegations, is it out of this world that as a regular person, a juror, not even a judge who too is susceptible to media influence, is it not understandable that your interpretations may get lost between what one sees and hears in court, to those one is hearing and seeing on the street? Consider the widely publicised cases of OJ Simpson and Michael Jackson. How many people thoroughly know what went on in those trials? How many people are actually comprehensively informed of the arguments and evidence put forth? Now think how many people still shout ‘murderer’ at one picture and ‘paedophile’ at the other.
Journalism is a powerful force, filled with complexities effecting ethical issues and moral dilemmas. The solutions are rarely black and white and though I find myself leaning towards Lord Falconer’s idea for a solution, there seem to be too many gaps. Unfortunately today newspapers need to worry about sales and money, the articles we read are written with that taken into consideration, this leads to embellishments and omissions where they find need be, fundamentally leading to poor journalism. Journalism should not be about brain washing, it should be about reporting the truth, but sometimes it seems the truth is too boring and it needs spicing up with specific headlines, articles and pictures. On the other hand how can we restrict journalism? When it defeats the purpose of that it stands for.
Referencing
Newspaper Articles:
Children in African communities put at risk by inaccurate media reports
McCormack, Helen
Community Care; Jun 23-Jun 29, 2005; 1578; ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source
pg. 12
Coverage revives fears of prejudice: The media
Campbell, Duncan
The Guardian (1959-2003); Jan 3, 1995;
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Guardian (1821-2003) and The Observer (1791-2003)
pg. 2
Media coverage stops trials
Clare Dyer Legal Correspondent
The Guardian (1959-2003); Oct 27, 1995;
ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Guardian (1821-2003) and The Observer (1791-2003)
pg. 3
Websites:
Alexander, R . (2008). Net news 'threatens court cases' . Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7252474.stm. Last accessed 29/11/11
Bowcott, O . (2011). Riots appeal judges to review BBC news coverage. Available: Alexander, R . (2008). Net news 'threatens court cases' . Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7252474.stm. Last accessed . Last accessed 29/11/2011.
NA . (2011). Times of Malta . Available: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111129/local/attorney-general-appeals-against-bail-for-maximilian-ciantar.396098. Last accessed 29/11/2011.
Assignment 2 Proposal
Kailey Fenech
Assignment 2
Proposal
For this assignment I am working with Event organisers to photographically promote their parties. Initially working with Night/Style promotions, through their recommendation I am now working with the Dance/Deluxe promotions. Dance/Deluxe is promoting an event which takes place at the Persian Palace restaurant every two weeks. The restaurant is converted into a nightclub alongside a DJ stand and a dance floor, with a chill out area that is split into two, the bar area and the shisha smoking area. In addition the promoters have asked me to capture all areas of the vicinity, with the main objective being to capture people having fun.
The promoters of Dance/Deluxe have only recently come together and intend on building a website in the near future. In the meantime however they still need images to promote the parties which they are uploading onto a facebook page entitled Dance/Deluxe until their professional web page is completed.
I shall be the regular photographer for all of the Dance/Deluxe events. Thankfully the promoters of the events said I may keep the images which will essentially help me in building my own nightlife photography portfolio.
In conclusion for this assignment I will be providing:
Promotional imagery for an online webpage concerning Dance/Deluxe
A minimum of 5 12X16 prints which will be used for my evolving hard copy portfolio
A website including my imagery which is promoting me as a nightlife photographer
Costings per day if Equipment were to be rented from Calumet:
Canon EF 85mm F1.2L £34
Canon 580 EX II Flashgun £18
Canon 5D Mk II (21.1 MP) £100
Canon 5D Mk II Spare Battery £8
Total Costings per shoot: £160
NB £0 is being spent on travelling.
Assignment 2
Proposal
For this assignment I am working with Event organisers to photographically promote their parties. Initially working with Night/Style promotions, through their recommendation I am now working with the Dance/Deluxe promotions. Dance/Deluxe is promoting an event which takes place at the Persian Palace restaurant every two weeks. The restaurant is converted into a nightclub alongside a DJ stand and a dance floor, with a chill out area that is split into two, the bar area and the shisha smoking area. In addition the promoters have asked me to capture all areas of the vicinity, with the main objective being to capture people having fun.
The promoters of Dance/Deluxe have only recently come together and intend on building a website in the near future. In the meantime however they still need images to promote the parties which they are uploading onto a facebook page entitled Dance/Deluxe until their professional web page is completed.
I shall be the regular photographer for all of the Dance/Deluxe events. Thankfully the promoters of the events said I may keep the images which will essentially help me in building my own nightlife photography portfolio.
In conclusion for this assignment I will be providing:
Promotional imagery for an online webpage concerning Dance/Deluxe
A minimum of 5 12X16 prints which will be used for my evolving hard copy portfolio
A website including my imagery which is promoting me as a nightlife photographer
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