Truth Needs No Ally: Inside Photojournalism Volume 1

By Howard Chapnick

Book Overview

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826209556
• ISBN13: 9780826209559
• Release Date: July 1994
• Publisher: University of Missouri Press
• Length: 382 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.2" x 9.2"
• Age Range: 14 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 5

Customer Reviews

"The Ultimate Treatise on PJ"

"Truth Needs No Ally: Inside Photojournalism," Howard Chapnick, Univ. Missouri Press, Columbia, 1994, ISBN: 0-8262-0955-6, PC 370 pgs., (Table contents 2 pgs, 48 pgs photos, Biblio 12 pgs. Index 8 Pgs.) 6 1/8" x 9 1/4" Author Chapnick, 50-yrs experience in freelance PJ, photo-agency presidency, & as monthly columnist, amassed salient sagacity that sanctions him to write, rigorously, of the many faces of photojournalism (PJ). He illustrates 4 broad miens of PJ - its foundations, basic components, career evolutions, & creative and ethical issues in 24 chapters of succinctly written prose. His style & clarity of delivery reveals he is a gifted writer. He interprets the essence of eyewittness PJ, responsibilities, of "concerned" photographers, & PJ essays using examples of renowned PJs, & of how one enters the field via portfolio, dress code, gender, education, specialization, minority ranks & agencies. He summarizes fundamental assets of 29 successful PJ photographers. In describing the evolution of PJ field, he notes importance of ideas, aesthetics, personal projects, writings, photo book projects, workshops, grants awards, etc. Importantly, he devotes coverage of ethical concerns including invasion of privacy, manipulations, setups, marital break-ups, demands of wartime PJ & re-affirming news photographs as sacrosanct. Throughout the book are short accounts of PJ greats as Margaret Bourke-White, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, Newman, Karsch, Lange, W.E. Smith, Leibovitz, Arthur Fellig (Weegee), & 2-time NPPA awarded Lisa Larsen of LIFE whom I met on photoshoot of Paul Robeson. He quotes the 1990 AP statement: The content of a photograph will NEVER be changed or manipulated in any way," but then details some deviations & manipulations by mags as LIFE, Nat. Geographic (pyramids), TV Guide (Oprah Winfrey's head on Ann-Margaret's torso) etc., & notes damages are done to alter public's perception of truth.

A very talented man

Howard Chapnicks book on Photojournalism should be a standard text book on any PJ course... ooops it already is. And rightly so. The book is an absolute mine of information. This man was a genius and deserves much wider recognition.

This is the bible for photojouranlism students

There are many must-read about photojouanlism. Among these, this should be the first you buy. It leads you to the professional field. It tells you how you can get into the business and what you should know. I cannot find something compete.

Great Information

This book was fascinating. Howard Chapnick's observations and comments on the world of photojournalism were wonderful to read. Reading it was like sitting down to a dinner conversation with a very smart man. His comments on the craft and business of photojournalism were enlightening. This book is well worth the money.

The Photojournalist's Bible

This is the only book any photographer should read. It tells you every kind of career there is in photojournalism and more. Descriptions on how to do everything from selling pictures to agencies to holding on to your self in a world that demands that you change along with it.