@liora
Liora H
@liora · 1:20

Let's Talk About: Photojournalism with Carolyn Pallof

Hello, everyone. I hope you're all gearing up for a relaxing weekend because frankly, I think we all deserve it. However, today I am eager to discuss an Avenue of journalism that I find to be incredibly fascinating. Speaking for myself, I know that I would be much more drawn to an intriguing old photograph than a vintage newspaper clipping, as in the headline. And this is because I'm somebody who really appreciates great visuals and that's one reason that I really love art

Join this conversation about photography and photojournalism as I chat with @carolynjean14 #photography #journalism #photojournalism #media

2
@carolynjean14
Carolyn Pallof
@carolynjean14 · 3:11
Hi Liora, thank you so much for the introduction. I'm doing well. I hope you're doing the same. So photography how I got into photography, I guess I would say I've always really been interested in photo, journalism and photography, but I never really got into photography until my senior year of high school. I took an after school program where I went twice a week and I got to get my hands on a camera for the first time
2
@liora
Liora H
@liora · 0:58

Attending a protest as a photojournalist?

It should always be a priority to bolster the voices of those who are in other frame rather than your own, unless a project calls for otherwise. And I'm glad you brought up Black Lives Matter because I wanted to ask you about the experience of attending a protest as a photo journalist. How does it feel to attend events for the sake of documentation? Do you feel like an observer or a participant, or do you find a way to use the camera in your allyship? How so
@carolynjean14
Carolyn Pallof
@carolynjean14 · 2:07
And the one word that kept coming to my mind looking at that picture is power and how people have so much power to advocate for change. And the photographer has so much power as well in depicting these pictures, talking about frame. And I really wanted to be that person behind the camera. And with power comes responsibility
2
@liora
Liora H
@liora · 1:10

What motivates you?

So my next question has to do with the work you're doing now, how do you stay motivated as a photo journalist in other sociopolitical climate? In other words, how do you stay motivated as someone who prioritizes being informed and forming others of current events, considering everything that's going on right now
@carolynjean14
Carolyn Pallof
@carolynjean14 · 2:27
But I feel like you have to stay on top of things, especially if you're going into media in some form because the better informed you are, the better you're your judgment becomes when you know you're out on an assignment and you're taking photographs and you're aware of just everything that's going on in the world, how people feel about things, what people are talking about. That's very important
@liora
Liora H
@liora · 1:09

Why people?

I'd like to take this time to ask you more about the creative side of your photography. You mentioned that you prefer portrait photography, which I think is really interesting because I think a photographer's preference can be very telling that and there is much variation in portrait photography, even if you wouldn't think so. So I'm wondering, why are people your favorite subject? And within that same vein, what inspires your work?
@carolynjean14
Carolyn Pallof
@carolynjean14 · 2:28
So it's kind of ironic that I love portrait photography so much. I love photographing people because I have severe social anxiety and and talking to other people, especially strangers is not really my strong suit, which I guess is why I'm more comfortable being the person behind the camera rather than the interviewer. But I don't know why. I just really love photographing people and hearing different stories of people and trying to capture that within a photograph
4
@liora
Liora H
@liora · 0:53

What do you want to accomplish?

It's the other way around the story prompts the picture. So we've covered a lot today, and I would like to end by looking ahead to the future. I've been thinking a lot about the future and my goals lately, and I'm curious about your creative aspirations, whether they rely to photography or, as you mentioned, creative writing or anything else. What do you hope to accomplish with your work
@carolynjean14
Carolyn Pallof
@carolynjean14 · 1:41
I went into College undecided, and it wasn't until maybe halfway through College that I declared my major and I declared humanities, which is very loose, but I'm focusing on English literature, religious studies and communications with a minor in creative writing so that I can kind of get my fingers in a whole bunch of different pies over here
2
@liora
Liora H
@liora · 0:30

Final thoughts

I totally agree. I also want to do something big and important and have an impact. And I can absolutely see you doing either of those things. So I wish you luck with whichever path you choose to follow. That was my last question. But thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me today. Welcome to Swell. If anybody has any other questions for Carolyn, feel free to join in. You
2
@carolynjean14
Carolyn Pallof
@carolynjean14 · 0:11
Thank you so much for having me Liora I had a whole lot of fun. This was amazing and I hope everybody enjoyed it. Thank you so much. Take care
Swell user mugshot
0:000:00