Photojournalism

Question: 

I might be getting ahead of myself here, because I’ve only listened and read on the internet, and ordered the book (but not received it yet). My question is about “photojournalism”, which wasn’t discussed as one of the approach/applications in the “geek” interview. Most of my photography is in that category, and when I’m photographing, I have experiences similar to what I’ve seen described here (although, I think, in a much faster time frame). Perhaps there is an inherent difference when there is a particular focus on subject matter, but isn’t this more of a distraction or difficulty in focusing on the experience, than a true difference of approach? If the photographer is not trying to tell a story, but rather to listen, is it the same? I seem to move into a more clear and spontaneous experience with the “pressure” of urgency, and fumble when given a blank page, so I look forward to developing a more unconditioned confidence. I would certainly like to hear your thoughts on this. John http://dharmaphotos.zenfolio.com/

Answer: 

We can answer this in three words: Henri Cartier-Bresson!
 
Seriously—it is certainly true that seeing and photojournalism are compatible. You make a good point that focusing on the subject matter can make it more difficult to tune into the experience of seeing, but as HCB himself said, "Thinking should be done before and after, not during photographing."
 
The contemplative approach is training in seeing clearly, and this should be helpful to photojournalists, and almost any other type of photographer. It will also show you how to work with the "blank page," by recognizing naturally occurring flashes of perception in ordinary life.