Photojournalist as agents of change

Photojournalist : Stephanie Sinclair

Source: http://www.worldpressphoto.org/stephanie-sinclair

Stephanie Sinclair (born in 1973) is an American photojournalist known for gaining unique access to sensitive gender and human rights issues around the world. After university, Sinclair worked for the Chicago Tribune, which sent her to cover the lead up to the war in Iraq. She later moved to the Middle East covering the region for six years as a freelance photographer. She is a regular contributor to National Geographic and The New York Times Magazine. Sinclair received numerous awards including the CARE International Award for Humanitarian Reportage, the Overseas Press Club’s Olivier Rebbot Award, a Pulitzer Prize, two Visa D’Ors, and three World Press Photo awards. 

Photojournalism combines texts and visuals, and it becomes a form of communication. This is how a photojournalist shares information with others. Without visual, the story that is being conveyed has lesser impact to the audiences. Her photo series, “Child Brides,” examines “how children continue to be forced into marriage in more than 50 countries around the world.” The project was the result of eight years of work in Afghanistan, Nepal, Ethiopia, India, and Yemen. 

Rajani and her boy groom barely look at each other as they are married in front of the sacred fire. By tradition, the young bride is expected to live at home until puberty, when a second ceremony transfers her to her husband. 
Source: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/child-brides/sinclair-photography#/13-rajani-groom-sacred-fire-wedding-714.jpg

Based on her interview by National Geographic, she is passionate with what she does as a photojournalist. According to her, photography has the power to change a perspective on life. She hopes that those who have seen her photographs are overcome with a sense of urgency and emotionally moved by the situation that she photographed. A photojournalist has to be neutral and not biased. She said "whether or not I agree with these practices or what they're doing...", she just strives to get closer to her subjects, hear their stories and photographs this reality that is happening in the 21st century.  

"Everyone can take a good picture,.....but to take GREAT photographs, you need TIME..."

- Stephanie Sinclair

The statement above echoes Tom Hubbard, in his article "The Essence of Good Photojournalism". He wrote "reporters can cover five years in an hour interview. It takes a photographer five years to cover five years". Indeed, to be a good photojournalist, there are no shortcuts, time is one of the key investment.

In 2012, Sinclair and Jessica Dimmock made a short documentary about Child marriage, “Too Young to Wed". A photojournalist photographs issues that are happening in the world, shares to the world in order to create awareness and a platform for people to extend help to those in need. 

Too Young To Wed 

Photojournalism crosses borders, in this case, a different country and language, where a translator is required. However, that does not stop Sinclair from being a voice for her subjects. Relating this short documentary to the documentary by James Nachtway regarding Tuberculosis shown during Week 2's Photojournalism class, to me, a photojournalist has to be strong emotionally. They need to understand the subject's story yet not be overwhelmed by the emotions. Then, they photograph the emotions portrayed in that situation for the world to see and to be aware of. To be a photojournalist is a calling. 

Sources:

1. Hill, U. o.-C. (2013, November 20). Stephanie Sinclair on Creating a Sense of Urgency. Retrieved from National Geographic : http://proof.nationalgeographic.com/2013/11/20/stephanie-sinclair-on-creating-a-sense-of-urgency/

2. Stephanie Sinclair. (n.d.). Retrieved from World Press Photo: http://www.worldpressphoto.org/stephanie-sinclair

3. Too Young to Wed: The Secret World of Child Brides. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYleXcpbzKY
4. Gorney, C. (2011, June). Child Brides. Retrieved from National Geographic : http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/child-brides/sinclair-photography#/15-indian-student-not-married-714.jpg