Friday, July 31, 2009

The Press Doesn't pay enough for its photos

This is a translated copy of an article that appeared in today's Le Monde Newspaper, here in France:
"

Maintenance
"The press does not pay enough photo"
LEMONDE.FR | 30.07.09 | 21h15 • Mis à jour le 31.07.09 | 09h38

a legendary photo agency Gamma-journalism has been placed in receivership, Thursday 30 July, for an observation period of six months by the Tribunal de Commerce de Paris. Founded in 1967 by two photographers Raymond Depardon and Gilles Caron, she played with Sygma and Sipa agencies, the golden age of photo-journalism french. Abbas, Salgado or Burnett, she revealed the big names in photography, numerous famous shots and won the most prestigious prize, before being gradually caught up by the crisis of the press. Jean-François Leroy, director of the festival Visa pour l'image Perpignan (from 29 August to 30 September), and David Savior photographer member of Agence Vu, returning in a cross on the state of photo - journalism.

The agency Gamma represents a certain idea of photo-journalism: pictures and stories involved in the long term. Is this the end of an era?

Jean-François Leroy: I'm sorry about what happens to Gamma, but we must be clear: there is no crisis of photojournalism. If newspapers were doing their job rather than show us the death of Michael Jackson and the marriage of Chouchou and Loulou - whose rights have been paid a fortune - it would not be there. When it is to publish photos of the new hairdo Carla, photographers have plenty of opportunities. If newspapers had bought at a fair price reports Gamma, it would not be there. The press has always pognon. The whole thing is to know or she chooses to save.

David Savior: It was the last of the Mohicans. They built what was called the french model: photographers were co-producers of their work and 50% shared profits with the Agency, which argued the money and provided a minimum wage. To finance stories of war, unprofitable, they went to Monaco to the people. In the end, the accounts balanced. Several restructuring has separated the different activities of the agency: people, press and illustration. The press was far less profitable than other sectors. Shareholders have killed the model.

How to photo-journalism today?

Jean-François Leroy: There is less reporting today, but because it became very hard for photographers who do not have opportunities. They are not masochists, why go to Iraq or Darfur if we can not sell his work? And we do not talk to me about publishing or exhibitions: there may be Twelve photographers in the world that can live it, and others, it does not pay a traffic circle.

David Savior: First, photo-reporter, it was a trade. Now it DIY. Newspapers produced reports, now it's over. We must find money elsewhere or self-funding. For my story in Afghanistan, I started a partnership with an NGO. She was supporting my travel and exposure. I gave them photos for their communication. For against, I have been paid when I sold this story to a magazine, which is not always obvious. If I was working only for the press, I do not get out. So, I accept orders from businesses or institutions that allow me to fund other projects.

What are the prospects for the photo-journalism?

Jean-François Leroy: I can not predict the future of the press but I wish that journalists return to power, they have abandoned. There are plenty of photographers who offer interesting things. But the journalist who will do a story in the Congo, nobody cares. It is a shame. Massimo Berruti, the young winner of the 2009 City of Perpignan, has done a stunning job in Pakistan. It has only to have a publication in Russia, thanks to its price. But in Western Europe, he explains that it is not the player. Paradoxically, at Visa pour l'image, I show that subjects are not supposed to get people interested, but there are so many people in the room that can not even see the exhibition in conditions.

David Savior: Today, the only area that earns money, it is the "press people". This is how the "news magazines" ensure big sales. Coverage on Afghanistan sells for less coverage on Sarkozy, of course. The trend is not new, but the financial interests take precedence over the editorial line. It becomes caricature. Suddenly, the newspapers offer all the same. Yet the principle of journalism is to go on the field, to tell what we see what happens at the other end of the world. With the crisis of the press, the Internet and the flow of info, the media must understand that the information is like music: it's copyright that pays. One must go back to a place that gives its reporting, investigation, and not the uniformity of the articles.

Interview by Mael Inizan

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Paris France, Trendy, French Restaurant, Georges, on Top of George Pompidou Museum

Saint Sulpice Church,

The gnomon of the church of Saint-Sulpice
Place Saint-Sulpice
Open daily from 8:30 am to 17:15

Beyond the wandering tourists from verifying the words of Da Vinci Code, the church of Saint-Sulpice has a true gnomon dating from the eighteenth century. Located in the left wing of the transept, the astronomical measuring instrument consists of a vertical rod that projects the shadow of the sun or the moon on a level surface to measure their height above the horizon. This consists of an obelisk of white marble, of about ten meters high, surmounted by a sphere which is descending a copper line that runs to the ground then over 40 meters across the choir and the north transept.
Commissioned in 1727 by the parish priest to determine precisely the vernal equinox in March and Easter Sunday, the meridian was first designed by Henri de Sully watchmaker who wanted to make one that can give the hours from noon to Paris but it died before he fulfilled his order. It was taken and modified by the astronomer Charles Monnier in 1743, assisted by engineer Claude Langlois, the origin of the famous copper rose embedded in the ground between strips of white marble.
Today, this meridian no longer works only partially, one eye in the window that lets the sun's rays are misplaced. Its operation is nevertheless explained in detail in a text placed on a desk not far from the gnomon.
Recently, given the many claims which appear in the novel by Dan Brown and concerning in particular the famous meridian, another to the attention of sightseers was added at first, it begins "Contrary to fanciful allegations contained in a recent bestselling novel, the meridian line of Saint-Sulpice is not a vestige of a pagan temple that existed in this place .... "

more info in the guide "Paris failed" Publishing Jonglez: www.editionsjonglez.com

Religion, Paris France, Saint Sulpice Church, Architectural Detail, inside, Astronomical Gnomon

Religion, Paris France, Saint Sulpice Church, Architectural Detail, inside, Astronomical Gnomon

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Paris, France, Pyramid, by I.M Pei, at Louvre Museum, Lit up, at Night,

Paris, France, Romantic View of Pyramid, by Architect, I.M Pei, at Louvre Museum, Lit up, at Night, Culture

Paris, France, I M Pei, Pyramid at the Louvre Museum, Lit up, at Night, View, Glass

Paris, France, Pyramid, by I.M Pei at Louvre Museum, Lit up, at Night, Travel, Culture, Architecture

Paris France, Monuments, The Pyramid, by I.M Pei, at Louvre Museum, Lit Up at Night, From Above, Overview, Dusk Evening Light

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Paris France, Gay Bar and Hotel, in the Marais, Le Central, Facade, with Gay Flag, Street Scene

Men in Gay Bar, PARIS France, Gay Couple, Clients Celebrating, Central Bar, New Year's Eve, Same sex Couple, Pub Talkin

PARIS France, Detail Food on a plate on Table in Bistro Restaurant, "Breakfast in America", American Diner, American Breakfast

Paris France, Trendy French Restaurant Kong Interior Design by "Philippe Starck"

Paris France, Trendy French Restaurant Kong Interior Design by "Philippe Starck"

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Paris, France, Gay Pride Parade,PS-37308

Paris, France, Public Events, People Celebrating at the Gay Pride Parade, Marche des Fiertes Lesbiennes, Gaies, Bi et Trans, Blvd. St. Germain. French Teenagers, Students, 2007