Some time ago I went to shoot young boxers getting ready for Tammer-turnaus. I had one flash that I balanced with ambient light and moved it around the gym. As you can see, I felt more compelled to focus in the boxers doing their solo training routines instead of sparring. I had planned to do series in black and white but then decided to change my mind. Images would have worked in B&W but not in a way I wanted. By “working” I mean that they emphasize those notions, feelings and accents that the photographer wants.

I have a complicated relationship with B&W.  I do love it – as most photographers do – but I find it hard justifying the use of it in photojournalism.  I mean it is year 2010 – not 1940. I understand that using B&W is a way of getting rid of some distracting factors and the eye has a chance to pay more attention in composition and form. But at the same time you are also depriving information. I am not saying that “thou shalt not covet the world of no colors”. What I am saying is that it feels problematic.

Some photographers doing B&W also state that it links their work to the lineage of the classic photojournalism – in a way recognizing the tradition. Fair enough, I can understand that. But still, I feel that it is a way of aestheticizing the world around us. And I’m not claiming that there is such thing that as objective photography. Choices are made through out the whole process, from choosing a specific lens to post-production – and many of those choices are aesthetical. And heck, many of these photos are purely aesthetical! But for me it is a gut feeling that the use of B&W is like bringing harmony to where there wasn’t any to start with.

I feel that after taking down the color the photo is no longer “here”.  It moves somewhere where it dresses up in many disguises and picks up loads of historical baggage. It becomes hostile and introverted towards us who have the burden or the pleasure of existing here and now – smirkingly waving goodbye.  It seems determined to cease to exist.

Posted by Jarkko
7 Comments on this blog article.

It’s been while. I’ve been busy with both my studies and assignments. Yes, I’ve been photographing, but have not posted anything here since.. can’t remember when. Why? Because I didn’t have anything to show, really. Someone suggested we should make this blog more than “an extension to our portfolio websites”. Well, if that means I should post every portrait I shoot for the magazines or all the stuff I see around me when I walk to the university in the morning, thanks for the idea, but I’ll pass. I don’t really think anyone would be very interested to see everything I shoot. There would be two or three posts a day, and most of them without any real story behind them. It’s true that we could add a lot of things to this blog, and we will, but I didn’t join parta&linssit to create a new facebook or a portal for everything concerning photojournalism. There are already some great sites for that. For me, this is a place where I can show you what I find interesting in the world, and what I think could interest you, too. This is one of those things.

—————-

This is the first part of the story I shot in India. IPAN (India Project for Animals and Nature) is a non-profit animal welfare organization working to improve the livelihood of the people in Nilgiris, India, through the well-being of their domestic animals. IPAN also sterilizes stray dogs to control the population and gives them rabies vaccinations. Rabies is a lethal disease, but vaccinated dogs are not dangerous to people. Killing the stray dogs is not a solution, as rats and wild animals (like monkeys) very quickly take their place and bring other diseases to towns and villages. The three-legged dogs in the pictures were either hit by a car or attacked by some wild animal, like panther. The organization also helps wild animals of the mountain area and tries to find solutions for peaceful co-existence of animals and people. It is run by Nigel, an Indian environmental activist and Ilona, a Finnish veterinarian plus many local volunteers. IPAN is funded by donations. I was lucky enough to get a chance to follow Nigel’s and Ilona’s work (and the daily life of their family) for some days, and here’s the first set of photos. I’ll post some more later.

—————-

If you want to know more about IPAN, their work and how to get involved, visit their website at http://www.indiapan.org/

Posted by Tatu
1 Comment on this blog article.

I shot some boxing recently. Young guns with wicked fast hands and fiery eyes, and some of that stuff will appear here. So stay tuned.

Posted by Jarkko
0 comments on this blog article.