I’m not personally that big on photojournalism – that is, telling (human interest) stories with photographs.  It’s not that I don’t like it, I just don’t have the knack for it.  Or maybe I do, but haven’t developed it properly.  You certainly won’t see that side of me on this site.

I’ve been thinking today about what good photojournalism is.  I’m not sure that I have an answer for the masses, but I do for myself: good photojournalism will touch your soul.  That’s it – it may let you see life through someone else’s eyes, or see places you will never go, but in the end it has to touch you.  Otherwise it’s just a series of (maybe interesting) snapshots.

The best photojournalist I know (not personally, just following) is Zoriah.  He’s the real thing – not just his skill (which you can see), but he’s completely freelance.  No company/organization/government sponsors him, only donations from folks.  In his photos, I see the hardships of life that I have never known.  I see the death and damage to U.S. soldiers, that which is sanitized and hidden in the U.S.  I see the starvation, the sickness, the suffering of people who, but for a short boat/car/plane ride, would be in a civilized land with medicine and food for all.

And he does it on peanuts.

Check out his site, it’s worth the visit.  And chuck him a few bucks, if he touches your soul

Author’s Note: I was not paid for this – it’s just something I believe in.