Ethics And Photography

by Grazia Neri
http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue0101/neri.htm

“The camera is a different tool from a pen. It can be used to produce an instantaneous masterpiece, to upset society with a scoop, to amaze people with something new. Each of us reacts to the picture on the basis of our own sensitivity, culture, intelligence, mood and passion. What is more, the interpretation of one and the same photograph will be different at different times.”

The need for ethics to govern the world of photographs has become essential for all those who come into contact with photography: photographers, agents, photo editors, magazines, museums, publishers and gallery management. The absence of these ethics gives rise to distortions in the information and education of young people, prevents art and beauty from being enjoyed and turns us into victims of the worst types of manipulation.

Development Photography Ethics

http://www.photoshare.org/phototips/developethics.php

Common examples of misuse of photos include:

• Using a photo to illustrate persons affected by HIV/AIDS (or any other issue) when there is no evidence to support a connection between recognizable individuals and the content of the material.
• Using a photo of another organization's activities to showcase your own organization's program without disclosing the true content of the photo.
• Using a photo of people in one country to represent people in another country.
• Making a false or unfair, presumptive statement about a human photo subject in an explicit or implicit manner (e.g. captions, text, headings, document layout). For example, it is impermissible to use a general photo of a woman breastfeeding on the cover of a report on "Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission" or next to a caption that highlights statistics on HIV transmission, even if the text does not make specific reference to people in the photo.

Here are a few suggestions for sound editorial photo use:

Here are a few suggestions for sound editorial photo use:

• Never distort the true context, content, or meaning of a photograph. If, however, your purpose is to protect the identity of vulnerable populations who may be put at risk of reprisal, violence, or rejection in their communities as a result of telling their story, it may be appropriate to leave out detailed information about the content of the photo, even if you have written consent.


• Use the original caption when possible. Do not make false statements about the photo content or context in your captions. If you are unable to place text alongside the photo, consider including the original caption with your photo credits.


• Carefully consider the implications of your document layout. Is the reader likely to misinterpret the subject of a photo based on its placement? Ask yourself, "will the nature of this photo and its proximity to the headline lead our readers to infer that persons in the photo are ---- [fill in the blank, e.g. HIV positive, actual clients, program participants, etc.] when in fact they are not?"


• Carefully consider the implications of your document layout. Is the reader likely to misinterpret the subject of a photo based on its placement? Ask yourself, "will the nature of this photo and its proximity to the headline lead our readers to infer that persons in the photo are ---- [fill in the blank, e.g. HIV positive, actual clients, program participants, etc.] when in fact they are not?"
  If you are unable to place the original caption alongside the photo, consider including the caption with your cluster of photo credits, to prevent any misunderstanding of the true context, content, or meaning of a photograph. For example:
  "Credits: p.3, Rosemary Jones/DCNGO (Villagers benefit from the DCNGO water project in Ghana); p.7. Development Org International (From 'Saving Lives,' a Peruvian family planning television series)."

Ethics

In addition to laws and editorial principles, you may wish to consider these five general ethical principles in developing policies for best practices in development photography:

1. Autonomy- In what way can I show respect for a person's right to decline or consent to photography? How do I handle informed consent?


2. Non-Maleficence (Do No Harm) - Am I creating and using photos in a manner that will do no harm to persons appearing in photos?


3. Beneficence(Do Good) - What is my intention or purpose for taking this photo? How can I use a photo to promote a good cause while ensuring that I do no harm to individuals in photos?


4. Fidelity- Am I using photos in a context that fairly represents the real situation, subject identity, or physical location of the image? What steps am I taking to properly credit the photographer?


5. Justice - Am I photographing people and communities with the same respect I would show to neighbors and strangers in my home country?