Chapter Four: Women Photojournalists

           It is no surprise to hear that just as in many other occupations, women photojournalists have faced similar hardships. For women, they faced discrimination by men in their profession because they believed it was a male’s occupation and that’s it. What they failed to see was that woman photojournalists have more access to some things than males. For instance, Lyndsey Addario stated,” …I have access to those things because I’m a woman and woman feel comfortable talking about those issues with other woman.” This brings me to talk about photojournalist, Stephanie Sinclair. I believe Sinclair would have agreed with Addario’s statement previously mentioned because, “she was known for gaining unique access to the most sensitive gender and human rights issues around the world.”

            Stephanie Sinclair is a thirty-five-year-old American photojournalist. According to National Geographic, “she is from Brooklyn, New York and graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in journalism and an outside concentration in fine art photography.” They also stated, “she went to work for the Chicago Tribune, which sent her to cover the start of the war in Iraq. She moved to Iraq and then to Beirut, Lebanon covering the region for six years as a freelance photographer.” Until this day she still contributes to National Geographic, New York Times Magazine, Time, Newsweek, Stern, GEO, Marie Claire, and plenty more.

            Sinclair has won a countless number of awards as a woman photojournalists, with so much respect. National Geographic stated, “She’s been awarded the Alexia Foundation Professional Grant, UNICEF’s Photo of the Year, and the Lumix Festival for Young Photojournalism Freelens Award for her extensive work on the issue of child marriage.” To name some others she won the CARE International Award for Humanitarian Reportage, Visa D’Or, First place in World Press Photo and FiftyCrows International Fund for Documentary Photography, and Caucasus Grant. Sinclair stated, “as a conflict photographer I was always moved by the stories of the women and girls I met in my travels.” One of her many projects was photographing under aged wives in Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Sudan and many other places. She was a strong woman who believed on women’s rights and tried to get out the horrible stories that young women suffered from.

            Women have suffered from discrimination and have faced hardships in many different workplaces. I know that in the law enforcement work field many females face gender discrimination. A lot of men believe being in law enforcement is a man’s job but that is not the truth women are just as capable as men to work in law enforcement. Just as some females aren’t cut out to work in this field, is the same with some men that may not be cut out for the job either. Everyone is good at their own thing and that’s how it should be not by gender discrimination. 

Photo by Unknown

Image Source: http://alchetron.com/Stephanie-Sinclair-420597-W

Year Created: 2011

Subject’s Expression

            The subject in this image is Stephanie Sinclair herself. Her expression seems extremely happy, as she is doing what she loves most, photographing. Her body language I believe definitely fits her happy expression.

In or out of focus

            The focus of this image is solely on Stephanie Sinclair. If you look at the individuals around her they are a bit blurred out. I believe this was done to show and express the joy and happiness on Sinclair’s face.

Is this image in black and white or color?

            This image is in color. This image was taken recently, so yes, the photographer had a choice if he or she wanted to make the image in black and white or color. I believe they chose color because it just matched her bright and enthusiastic smile.

Why I chose this image?

            I chose this image because I believe it defines the kind of person Stephanie Sinclair really is. If we look at this image it shows how happy she is with that camera in her hand, which in my research she repeatedly said she is with her profession. This image also shows us how she truly fits in wherever her assignment is.

Photo by Stephanie Sinclair

Image Source: http://tooyoungtowed.org/#/explore

Year Created: 2013

Keep it simple

            This image for the most part is simple, there's not much clutter, besides the mountains and rocks in the background. Due to the photo being simple it really emphasizes the expressions on the young girls face. When viewing this photo we can really focus on the sadness of both girls.

Texture

            The texture of this image is very rough and dry. I feel like this shows how this is not a happy moment for the two young girls who are forced into marriage. The texture really emphasizes this unfair life they have to live

What feelings does this image create?

            This image makes me feel sad. It makes me sad to see two innocent young girls have no choice but to get married. Not only do they not have choice, but it’s to such older men, it just shows how unfair it is.

Why I chose this image?

            I chose this image because it is one of Stephanie Sinclair’s biggest projects she’s worked on. I think it really shows what she is trying to get across the harsh reality of these young girls. We can tell no one is happy in this image and a change really needs to be made.

Photo by Todd Heisler

Image Source: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/us/femalepolice.html

Year Created: 2016

Background compliments or detracts from composition

            The background helps to complete this image. The police cars in the back really helps to show the seriousness of these officers working together. There is no one in the background which also helps to emphasize the two women officers working with the male officer.

Obvious main subject, about ¼ to 2/3 of image area

            The main subject is right in the front of the picture. What I like is that the main subject is not too big in the picture, and with the background I feel like it allows them to stand out more. I feel being like this it is a more powerful image.

Rule of thirds

            The photographer did avoid placing the main subject right in the center of the image. If the image was broken into thirds they would be more on the outer third of the image.

Why I chose this image?

            I chose this image because I feel the entire presence of the photo is powerful. I feel as if it really shows the women and male officers working hard together without any gender discrimination. I believe these are the kind of images that show women can work in law enforcement just as men can.