I just finished the British Journal of Photography and am a bit disturbed by what I read. It looks like Hipstamatic is coming up with the plans to create a Foundation for Photojournalism. Not a bad idea but after reading the story I see many problems.
I see legions of people becoming "photojournalists" because they have a camera phone and Hipstamatic software. According to the article CEO Buick states, "create an educational platform, where professionals will be able give
some of their time to educate up-and-coming photographers on how to go
into Libya, for example, and not get shot."
And if something else goes wrong then who do they call? The bigger problem I see is the local community guy who decides he is a photojournalist simply because he has an iPhone and the "photojournalism Goodpack" and thinks that makes him or her part of the 4th estate.
Covering spot news is dangerous and not for everyone. A photographer can be seriously hurt of killed if they are in the wrong spot. And if you are not there as a member of the real press then you are just in the way of police and firefighters who have a real, and more important, job to do.
Photojournalism, as I practiced it for many years, needs some CPR if it is going to survive but I'm not sure the foundation knows the correct technique.
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