Our goal is to reflect honesty, sensitivity, and
intelligence
in photojournalism, and to use
these as tools to inspire,
educate, and
promote change in the world around us.
Our Work
Truth With a Camera Workshop Blog Where Will You Find Truth?
Quito, Ecuador: Student Work Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A mid-week view of the work being created by the students.
A baby sleeps in an apartment in the poor section of Quito, Ecuador on Tuesday, January 14, 2010. Photo by Alejandro Reinoso
The first University of Missouri Photo Workshop, in 1949, was referred to as an “experiment in photographic education.” The director, Clifton C. Edom, had one rule: “Show Truth With A Camera.” No posing. No manipulation of the facts.
Cliff was influenced by Lewis Hine, Jacob Riis and the Farm Security Administration and their role in documenting social problems. Since that time thousands of photojournalists have educated us about war, hunger, violence and abuse around the world.
“Documentary photography”, wrote Cliff, “is the background, the roots, of modern photojournalism.” He spoke of the necessity to keep up with new technologies, but he emphasized the importance of ethics in documenting society and contributing to social justice.
Dr. Vme Edom Smith, Director and Secretary
The Edom Foundation for Photojournalism Education
TO ALL TRUTH WITH A CAMERA WORKSHOP STUDENTS: I would like to list everyone’s name, but there’s not enough space and I don’t want to leave anyone out! I am impressed with the pictures I am seeing on this website! It is so exciting to see your sensitive awareness of the importance of the stories you are telling. With the special guidance of Stephen Katz and your staff you are learning HUGE amounts
of TRUTH and SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH PHOTOJOURNALISM. This knowledge will be with you forever…which is the reason an early
staff member at the Missouri Photo Workshop said (in 1949 I believe), “You can’t evaluate what you have learned this week in a month, a year, five years. It will be with you forever.” I would add, what you have learned will make you a better photographer and a better person FOREVER! Thank you for attending this workshop and sharing your work! Dr. Vme Edom Smith, Honorary Director, TRUTH WITH A CAMERA WORKSHOP, Director, Edom Foundation for Social Justice Through Photojournalism Education