photo by Jill Greenberg
When Jill Greenberg told Photo District News how she was able to snap unflattering photos of presidential candidate John McCain during a cover photo shoot for the Atlantic magazine, debate erupted over the freelance photographer’s behavior. Greenberg snapped a strobe-lit image of McCain from a low angle, so the senator looks spooky and menacing. Greenberg, who is known as the “Manipulator,” posted the photo and edited copies on her Web site. (An archive of all the photos is available here.)
More than a week later questions remain: How much vetting a publication should do before hiring a freelance photographer? Can a freelance photographer be outwardly political, or should they hew to the reporter’s standards of appearing unbiased? What is journalism and what is art? Can journalism also be artistic?
Like any good ethical dilemma, there are few easy answers with the Greenberg case.