War Photography: Realism in the British Press

During wartime, photojournalism is used to show the reality of the war to the public, and the press can use censorship to produce news that is patriotic. John Taylor's book "War Photography" explores how the press uses photography to make war news seem real and how it builds on established ways of storytelling.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 04 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In times of national crisis, the press faces various forms of censorship, yet it continues to produce news that is deemed newsworthy within these constraints. Everyday 'human interest photographs and stories, which often depict bizarre, comic, or tragic events, are repurposed for patriotic purposes. The subject of death is particularly exploited in the service of saving the nation, often accompanied by more comforting ideas.

John Taylor's book, originally published in 1991, explores the unique nature of war news, its reliance on established storytelling methods, and the role of photography in making it appear authentic. Through examples from the First and Second World Wars, the Falklands campaign, and contemporary accounts of terrorism and crime within the United Kingdom, Taylor demonstrates that, aside from legal controls, the press's own methods bring it close to the official perspective.

Drawing on history, sociology, and photo-history, War Photography provides a well-illustrated account of the place of photojournalism in the news industry and the use of news in shaping national identity.

Weight: 380g
Dimension: 280 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367609962