Blast from the past: Photo Editing in 1946

A fun article from Charles Apple this week with excerpts from a 1946 instruction manual on how to edit photos for newspaper publications. The pages were originally published this week on PetaPixel from the 1946 book “Shortcuts to Photo Retouching For Commercial Use.” by retoucher Raymond Wardell.

Apple explains that although it is interesting to look back on what Photoshopping was back in the day, it can only make modern editors cringe with the thought of breaking all ethical rules. One of the most famous example of a documentary news photo that was edited unethically is from the Kent State shooting where an editor cropped a pole out of the background to make the photo look better.

Publishing photo books now easier than ever

Author Heather Graulich explains in her new article featured on the NPPA website that it is easier than ever for a photographer to publish their own book. Before photo books were thought of coffee table accessories from famous photographers. Now anyone has the ability to publish their own photo book by uploading photos online, adding in captions and checking the mail a week later to see a poorly made scrapbook of memories.

 But Graulich explains that now professional photographers can easily produce their own pro-quality book to help them with their brand. She explains "But for the majority of professional photographers today, publishing books of their work is no longer a lifelong career dream most won’t reach – it’s a very real, active part of how they publicize their brand; yet another important tool in marketing themselves in an increasingly freelance-based industry."

With funding available through donation sites such as Kickstarter and Emphas.is, photographers can receive help with monetary costs as well.

Matt Eich, pictured left, is a Norfolk, Va. photographer that recently published his photo book Carry Me Ohio. The book was well received, winning a people’s choice award in Blurb’s Photography Book Now competition.

Eich spent $5,000 on editing and printing costs for a 100-book digital press run with Edition One – a cost of $50 per book. He decided to price the book at $85 in order to recoup his costs and be able to keep a few of his books. He listed the books for sale on his blog – and sold 75 of them literally overnight. 

Denver Post photograher wins NPPA BOP award

A gunman slipped into a midnight premiere of the new Batman movie through an emergency exit, tossed two hissing gas canisters and then methodically, calmly walked up the aisle firing, killing 12 people and wounding 70. It was among the worst mass shootings in American history. Tom Sullivan, center, embraces family members outside Gateway High School where he has been franticly searching for his son, Alex Sullivan, who saw "The Dark Knight Rises," in the movie theater where a gunman opened fire Friday, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, CO. Photograph by RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

RJ Sangosti of The Denver Post was named the National Press Photographers Association's Best of Photojournalism 2013 Photojournalist of the Year in the larger market. Sangosti is most known for his photo from the Aurora theatre shooting over the summer.

When Sangosti got the call to learn that he'd won the title, Sangosti said, "It's been a hard year. But this is very flattering and humbling. I look at Tyler [Hicks] and Damon [Winters] work every day. Both of them are amazing."

Sangosti credits the advances the Denver Post has made on their website in terms of photography. "Photography has become really important to the Web site," Sangosti said, "in these days when the print product takes a bow to the Web, and on the Web photographs are really important, maybe it makes the newsroom approach things a little differently now than maybe they did before."

World Press Photo of the Year faked

It was just announced today that the 2013 World Press Photo of the Year is a fake. The World Press Photo has been around for over 50 years and is one the most distinguished photo competitions every year. The World Press Photo has not yet reprimanded the photographer, Paul Hansen, from his award. According to Extreme Tech, however, believes that he will lose his award this week.

The photo is of Palestinians carrying two casualties after an Israeli attack in Gaza City in November 2012. The reason that the photo was not caught earlier was because there were other similar photos by other photographers from the same event. The actual photo is not a fake however. Dr. Neal Krawetz analyzed the photo and found that the shadows of the top left corner were manipulated. The photo was shot at 10:40 a.m. in the winter and the sun would have been lower, creating a more noticeable shadow.




Finally the article brings up an interesting point of whether the photo is fake or just overly enhanced? What is unacceptable when it comes to editing? Can a photographer rotate a photo, burn and dodge, remove dust from the sensor?

From the Pros: How to get the perfect portfolio

Photography consultant Jim Colton recently published part 1 of a 3 part series called "The Perfect Portfolio: A Photographer's Guide." Colton was the photography editor of Sports Illustrated and has previously worked for the Associated Press and Newsweek.

He stressed 10 key points to focus on to achieve the ultimate portfolio. The biggest dilemma is creating a portfolio that is marketable and showcases their "photographic soul."



1. Be original. Show creativity in your thought process to be different from everyone else. Colton stresses that "imitation is NOT the sincerest form of flattery."

2. Content is King. Make sure your content is better than anyone elses. Since nobody wants to buy an inferior product, make sure your work reflects you and is your calling card.

3. Editing. “Your portfolio is only as good as your weakest picture!” With that in mind, keep your emotions out of it and only show your best work.

4. Quality. You need to follow the basic rules and make sure all your photos are appropriately exposed, toned, cropped, and captioned.

5. Personal Project or story. This part of the portfolio is key because it shows the photographer can tell a story all the way through with a beginning, middle, and end. Also it shows that the photographer can shoot a subject with variety of lenses and angles.

6. Portraits. Portraits are a key part of a photographers portfolio. If you are good at all portraits, sports, business, daily life, then it will help you land more freelance opportunities. They should be an equal balance of creativity and newsworthiness.

7. Clips. You should have PDF copies of publications that your photo ran in. It shows what editors think of your work and how they play them on a page. A 6 column photo says more than a 1 inch photo that ran the size of a postal stamp.

8. Promo Cards. Promo cards are an underutilized tool when it comes to promoting your work. Cards should have all of your contact information in an easy to read format.

9. Digital vs. Print Products. Both your hard copy portfolio and website need to be equally strong and impactful. They should both easily convey the strength of your work and be able to get you a job.

10. Keep it Current. Your portfolio should always be changing because ideally you should always be producing better work. Don't become emotionally attached to photos and know when it is time to replace one.

Omaha residents allowed to record police

A frame grab from a video posted on YouTube shows the scene at 33rd and Seward Streets on March 21.

Police officers in Omaha have been told to not interfere with citizens recording police activity, according to an article just published by The Omaha World Herald yesterday. This new department policy comes after four officers were fired last week after their innapropriate actions when they assaulted a citizen videotaping them make an arrest.

“Individuals have a First Amendment right to record police officers in the public discharge of their duties, plain and simple,” said Deputy Chief Greg Gonzalez.

As long as citizens stay behind caution tape and do not interfere with the officers then they are doing nothing wrong.

“If an officer is at a crime scene, and you're recording and cooperating with police, you're well within your legal right,” Gonzalez said.

The Chuck Norris of Military Photography

A feature article was recently published in Peta Pixel on Jeremy Lock, who is called the Chuck Norris of Military Photography. Lock recently won the distinguished Military Photographer of the Year for the seventh time. No other military photographer has come even close.

What makes Lock unique is that he is equally comfortable using his gun and his camera. He can be shooting a conflict and have no hesitation grabbing his gun and jumping in to help his fellow soldiers. Lock is extremely well trained and can shoot from land, air, and under the sea. He has shot in over 40 countries and 6 continents.  He has even earned himself a Bronze Star, which is awarded for acts of heroism in a combat zone.

A look back at Boston

 Newspaper analyst Charles Apple recently published a blog post looking at the best and worst front pages from the day after the Boston Bombings. He commended the Virginian Pilot and  The Arizona Republic. Personally the Virginian Pilot was my favorite front page. However I do recognize that The Arizona Republic also did a solid job, especially considering the event happened on the other side of the country.

 The Patriot Ledger, along with several other papers chose to focus on the firefighters, police, and fellow runners that became heroes that day. He said that it was a great picture paired with a great headline.

However not all papers were as effective. The New York Daily News chose to run a gruesome photo that wrapped around the front and back of the paper. Charles Apple did not approve of using "Massacre" in the headline. "Yes, a lot of people were injured yesterday. But I’m not sure that three dead justify use of the word 'massacre.'"

David Guttenfelder wins International Center of Photography award

Associated Press photojournalist David Guttenfelder, recipient of the International Center of Photography Infinity Award for Photojournalism.

Today the International Center of Photography awarded David Guttenfelder the winner of the photojournalism category in its 2013 Infinity Awards. Guttenfelder is the Cheif Asia Photographer for the Associated Press. He is most notable for his astonishing photos taken from inside North Korea. He was granted special access and has visited the country over 20 times since 2001. Since there is no information coming from North Korea, Guttenfelder decided to focus on the country to help tell its story. He strives to make photos that show everyday life from the country. He has also been a seven-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

"The very best pictures are the ones you can't describe in words, [you] just hold it up and...woah"

In the video Guttenfelder talks about how he got started and how he documented Afganestan for 10 years after 9/11. He discussed about how certain events, such as documenting family reunions between North and South Korea, changed him as a photographer.

"I saw mothers and sons see one another and just gasp."

Preparing your portfolio

The New York Times photo blog, Lens, recently published a video, seen here, of Santiago Lyon of the Associated Press giving a talk on Preparing Your Portfolio at the New York Portfolio Review. The talk was sponsored by the New York Times and was hosted by CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Lyon stressed that students need to recognize that your portfolio is your calling card.

He highlighted the four main points he is looking for in a portfolio:

1. Strong News photos, 12-25, maybe 30.  They don't have to from big stories. No matter what you have to prove you can document a fast-moving situation under deadline and keep your cool.

2. Sports. In the US 75% of an AP photographers time is spent shooting sports. There needs to be a solid mix of action, fans, and atmosphere.

3. Standalone feature photos. Try to be original and show your creativity. The goal is to show the ordinary in an unordinary way.

4. Long term feature story. 12-20 photos. This shows the photographer can establish a relationship and tell a story. Find your beginning and end to the story first and them everything else will come together.

You need enough photos to show them what you're capable of doing. You shouldn't have too many for an editor to get bored but not too few to make them think you don't have enough.

Personally the note I found most helpful was to photograph passionately but edit dispassionately. Separate yourself from what you went through to make that photo. You can bring in other people if necessary so you don't become emotionally attached to your photos.

And finally you need to always be on assignment. Even for yourself. Shoot something your interested and keep yourself "visually fit:" You need to be as comfortable using your camera as a musician is using their instrument and constantly producing content.