Photojournalism and Street Photography

By Mark Chamberlain LPSNZ

Image post-processing, how far do we go?

Last year, it was refreshing to come across a competition run by the New Brighton Photographic Club in Christchurch, open to all PSNZ members and NZ Residents – The Annual New Zealand Photojournalism Competition. The 30th annual competition opens again this year on 6 June and closes on 31 July 2021. The judges include a former newspaper photojournalist who should provide very useful feedback.

The competition will be a refreshing change from many competitions relying on heavy image post-processing.

As a primarily landscape photographer living in New Zealand, I spend an unhealthy amount of time doing image post-processing in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. This competition persuaded me to try something different. One can invest as little or as much time as one chooses on post-processing. It’s a personal choice on time investment, and it depends on the photographer’s overall objectives.

The New Zealand PJ competition has strict rules, ensuring only minimal image postprocessing. Most photographs do require some postprocessing, especially if shooting in RAW format (recommended).

Post-processing, in this competition, permits only minor editing – removal of dust spots, colour conversion (if choosing black & white), contrast and sharpening tweaks, and image cropping. No object removal from images, use of filters, vignetting or extensive pixel manipulation in Photoshop layers!

This competition forces a different approach – enjoying photography on the streets or at community events.

The competition has two categories:

• Sports / Action

• Street / Social

Entries may also include travel and documentary photography in more exotic overseas locations (current COVID-19 issues aside).

Images by Pixabay

Photographs and background stories

Let’s look at just a few of the best photographs from the 2020 National PJ Competition and their background stories. For a complete list of last year’s photos, use the following link: https://www.newbrightonphotoclub.org.nz/national-pj-2020-results/

Hongi

by Lynn Fothergill LPSNZ

This image really grabs the viewer’s attention and deservedly won 1st place and Honours in the Street / Social category. Lynn says:

“In my day job, I am the proud Deputy Principal of a primary school in Manurewa, South Auckland. This moment of respect and reverence was captured before lifting a hangi at my school in celebration of Matariki.

“With the voucher won in the National PJ Competition, I had it printed on a canvas for the boy and his whanau to thank them for letting me use the image. I also wanted the young boy to remember how he felt on that day, at that time. The print now hangs proudly in their home.”

- Nice touch, Lynn; I’m sure it means a lot to the boy.

by Lynn Fothergill LPSNZ

Another compelling photograph by Lynn, this time in the Sports/action category, receiving 2nd place and Honours. For this photograph, Lynn says:

“I love the chase of a good action shot, and Polocrosse is certainly a game that calls for that. It’s incredibly fastpaced and super exciting to watch and photograph. This particular frame was taken at the ‘line up’ when the ball is thrown to start a chukka or restart. All kinds of mayhem and expressions to capture! The dry, dusty environment added to the dynamism of the shot.”

Salt Workers

by Dorothy Walker

A documentary style travel photograph from India, it highlights the hardships and endurance of many people in this region. Dorothy gained 2nd place in the Street category of the competition. Dorothy says:

“I was on a trip in India and was going from Chennai to Puducherry, and upon seeing the salt pans, we asked our guide if we could pull over for some photographs. We walked into the area where bags are loaded, and the men were more than happy to allow us to photograph. We did not ask them to pose. They were natural, especially with their lovely smiles. So lucky to pass the saltpans and permitted to take the photos. It was a boiling hot day, and those men were amazing, filling and carrying the bags as they did.”

Racing the Rain

by Pauline Allen

I like this photograph – the facial expressions clearly show both the camaraderie and rivalry between the boys. The rainfall also adds to the picture. Pauline gained joint 2nd place in the Sports category.

Pauline says: “I usually watch my grandchildren when they are having school sports days. This photo is of my grandson and his friend, racing in the final of the 50m race. I find the smiles on their faces tell the story even in the rain. “Where only friendly competition matters.”

London - Hong Kong Protest

by Mark Chamberlain LPSNZ

This photograph is a chance shot taken whilst visiting London in 2019. My London photographs had been sitting on a memory card for over a year, forgotten – it was only the adverts for the National PJ competition that encouraged me to go digging for the images.

While my wife was serially abusing the credit card in the West End department stores, I decided to remain outside and enjoy the rare British sunshine. Suddenly, a large protest crowd approached – primarily young people and students from Hong Kong. The protest crowd extended the entire length of Oxford and Bond Streets. The protesters were angry about the current political situation with China in their homeland. With my camera already slung over my shoulder, I decided to take some photographs as the crowds passed. After a few warm-up shots, I became increasingly involved, mingling with the protesters and using my feet to take close-up shots with a fixed focal 35mm lens. This particular photograph catches the moment’s mood with the focal point on the protester’s eyes and distinctive mask. The protest banners and surrounding crowds give context and show the intensity of the situation.

There are also lessons to be gained from this kind of street photography. While this may have been a break from tedious shopping and camera fun for me, it was certainly not the case for the protesters. They were wearing masks and dark sunglasses for a reason – they didn’t want to be recognised. The protesters were observed, photographed and filmed by anonymous people (not tourists or passers-by) in the background. The students likely feared possible reprisals and consequences in their homeland.

Despite my actions, I would generally advise photographers to avoid or keep a distance from political protests, unless working in a professional capacity or have experience in such situations. The Hong Kong protest was a peaceful, controlled event in London. However, I lived for many years in Southeast Asia, and I can personally testify to seemingly peaceful and friendly protests suddenly escalating and turning very nasty and violent. Use your common sense, particularly when travelling overseas.

Give it a go! Why not enter this year? The competition opens for entries on 6 June and closes on 31 July.

Background to the competition, rules, last year’s photographs, along with details and entry forms for this year’s competition, can be found on:

https://www.newbrightonphotoclub.org.nz/ national-pj-2021/

The photo by Anastasia Taylor-Lind in Ukraine. The artist planned to photograph a series about the declining population in the country, but quickly realized that the protests were her story.

Source: https://blog.ted.com/intimate-portraitsof-the-men-and-women-caught-up-inrevolution-in-ukraine/

“Matthieu Paley... His interest and the curiosity for humankind has taken him to the most remote areas in the world. In his images, we can see isolated communities but also people climbing the highest mountains in the world!...”

Source: https://www.exodusaveirofest.com/ member/16254-2/

““Under The Same Stars” by photographer Acacia Johnson is a series of images taken in the winter months of 2014-2015 in and around the Arctic Bay community...”

Source: https://plainmagazine.com/stunningimages-acacia-johnson-life-arctic-circle/

“Documentary photographer Rena Effendi describes herself as a “global storyteller”. Her work centres on themes of social justice, conflict and the environment, at once evoking both a distinct sense of place and questions of universal significance...”

Source: https://hundredheroines.org/featured/ breaking-boundaries/

By Krisanne Johnson - an American photojournalist who presents her signature candid, black & white photography emphasising the emotions and movements.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/ krisannejohnson/

“On the eve of October 1st, China’s national day - hundreds of Hong Kongers form a Pepe-the-frog human chain starting from Victoria Harbour, all the way into Kowloon.”