Photojournalism or Public Relations?

I’ve found many difficulties trying to answer this question. There is no exact date when the first PR picture was made. Photojournalism and public relations have been standing together since the very beginning of photography invention.

In 19th century taking the pictures was the privilege. That activity was very expensive because the cameras were just in the first steps of development. Using it was very complicated compared to digital cameras that we use currently.

Therefore, taking War pictures in the late 19th and early 20th centuries could afford just well paid photographers whose sponsors usually were governments. It means that pictures had to reflect them wishes and ideas.

It follows that first examples of documentary photography or photojournalism can be considered as the first PR pictures as well. As Robert Leggat describes in his article, first War photography is more adequately described as a public relation exercise for the government of the day.


It is difficult to agree that early War pictures have just reflected the reality. The War is sometimes too heroic and romantic. 


As an example could be taken one of the the first War photographer Roger Fenton (1819 – 1869). He was sent to take the pictures of Crimean War by the prince of The United Kingdom. The message of his pictures had to create better image of the War among British people. He had to popularize the Crimean War - counteract to antiwar reporting in The Times. That means that he couldn't  show the worst side of the war. Any deaths, injuries and other cruelties. 


You can look trough some of his Crimean War pictures. What is the impression of the War that had resulted about 374,600 total deaths? Roger Fenton is listed among the first photojournalists. However, the story that his pictures are telling doesn't let experience the visuality of event and read as much as possible objective story of the war. 


Roger Fenton