Vocab & Concepts
What do we call using real photographs to tell factual stories about real events?
Photojournalism
Which shot is taken from a distance to set the scene?
Wide shot
True or false: Photojournalists should alter images to look more beautiful if it helps the audience care.
False
Which photographer is associated with Civil War era photography?
Edward Curtis
Fill in the blank: “The camera is the ______ of history.”
Eye
What term describes waiting for the perfect instant when emotion, motion, and meaning align?
The decisive moment (timing)
Which angle creates an equal connection between viewer and subject?
Neutral
Why should photojournalists consider public impact before publishing?
Images can influence beliefs, emotions, and political decisions, possibly causing harm.
Charles Moore photographed protests and police brutality during which American movement?
The Civil Rights Movement
Which historical photographer believed that images could inspire action and social change?
Charles Moore
What is the term for using natural elements in the scene to surround and highlight the subject?
Framing
Which shot focuses the viewer on action and people?
Medium
What ethical concerns were raised when Lange removed the mother’s thumb from Migrant Mother?
It altered reality and raised debate about honesty vs. beauty in journalism.
What organization did Dorothea Lange work for during the Great Depression?
Farm Security Administration (FSA)
If a photo makes the subject appear small, powerless, or afraid, which angle was most likely used?
High angle
Explain the difference between truth and beauty in journalism.
Truth comes first, beauty can enhance impact but cannot replace accuracy
How does a low angle change the viewer’s perception of the subject?
Describe one situation where photographing a moment might be truthful but still unethical.
Example: Taking photos of someone in pain, death, or extreme private grief without consent or sensitivity.
Why was Civil War photography shocking and historically important?
It showed real death, suffering, and war damage for the first time, not romanticized stories.
You see a photo where a doorway, branches, or window frames surround the subject. Which technique is being used, and what effect does it create?
Framing; it directs attention and adds depth/interpretation.
Why must ethics guide photographers first?
Images influence public understanding, so misleading pictures can cause harm
Give an example of when a high angle would communicate important meaning in a photo.
Example: Photographing a frightened child from above to show vulnerability; or documenting victims to emphasize weakness or danger.
Explain how truth, dignity, and consent complicate taking photos of people in crisis.
Even if it’s truthful, images may exploit, dehumanize, or violate privacy; photographers must respect human dignity.
How did Moore’s photos support the passing of civil rights legislation?
They raised national awareness, influenced emotions, and motivated political action by showing injustice.
What is the name of the woman photographed in the famous photo, "Migrant Mother"?
Florence Owens Thompson