Art Quote by Stuart Franklin
“Newspaper photographs nowadays are highly tautologous. You'll have an article about, say, stopping the war. And the photograph that will be used is literally a poster that reads "Stop The War." Or you'll have a story about a cash crisis in Barcelona, and the only picture you'll see is an ATM in Barcelona. The problem is actually systemic. On the one hand, you'll have a picture of a soda can to "illustrate" an article about the dangers of sugary drinks. On the other hand, anything that's reasonable in documentary photography is snapped up by the art world and we never see it.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Commentary on Modern Photojournalism, 2015
The quote critiques how contemporary newspaper images often redundantly echo article headlines, reflecting a systemic lack of visual originality and depth in media representation.
In simple terms: Photos repeat headlines, showing little creativity.
Key Takeaway
Seek more nuanced, original visual storytelling.
Themes
media criticism
visual redundancy
journalism
art vs documentary
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- newsrooms
- editorial meetings
- photo assignments
- media education
Key Concepts
semiotics
visual literacy
media saturation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can journalists balance speed with creative visual content?
- What role should editors play in encouraging originality?
A Different Perspective
The critique may overlook constraints like budget, time, and editorial policies that limit visual experimentation.
![“[Documentary photography] is unwittingly literary, because it is nothing other than an observation of contemporary life apprehended at the right moment by an artist capable of seizing it. (1928)” quote by Pierre Mac Orlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8de/pierre-mac-orlan-59102_art_documentary-photography-is-unwittingly-l_2407575.jpg)
