Chicago Sun-Times Fires Their Photography Staff

Summary: Chicago Sun-Times Makes Dumb Move At least that's how the headlines should read. Last week, the Chicago Sun-Times decided to fire all their photography staff. Now, they'll be relying on their reporters taking pictures and video on company-issued iPhones. We have the pleasure of welcoming back Steven Chappell, A.K.A. The Grammar Nazi. Steven, if you recall, is a university professor teaching journalism and he has some excellent insight into why this was a huge boneheaded move. The Chicago Sun-Times has been faltering lately and, perhaps, this was just one more bad business decision among many but this also heralds a new era for photojournalism. Sure, there are some real advantages to being able to shoot on an iPhone and immediately upload it to the newspaper: from timing to thwarting would-be censors ("sorry, too late - it's already uploaded"). But there are some other real concerns that affect not just those who shoot professionally but everyone: Who teaches freelance and citizen photographers their first amendment rights? Who teaches them to push back when authorities (wrongly) tell them they can't take photographs? When threatened with arrest and large legal bills, who will be willing to stand up and fight for the public's right to know? (full time photographers were covered by the newspaper's legal team) Will freelance photographers know, and follow, journalist ethics when it comes to not altering an image in post-production? There are so many questions that only time will answer but, in our opinion, the Chicago Sun-Times has taken a dangerous and, quite frankly, stupid position by firing their pros. It just puts too much of the paper's integrity and trustworthiness at risk. Make sure you read Steven's excellent article, Did the Sun-Times just Kill Photojournalism? Stupid move, Chicago Sun-Times… stupid move. Tonight's Artists Tony picked him so you know it has to involve music! And it does. Meet Rick Griffin - one of, if not the, most important psychedelic artists of the 70s. You may not know his name but if you have even a passing interest in music memorabilia, the Grateful Dead, or Jimi Hendrix, you likely are familiar with his work. We don't have a particular photographer tonight but rather we showcase a small online collection of the macabre. No, seriously, Rick is pretty eff'ing messed up and needs therapy - please feel free to donate to the cause! At first the collection seems rather shocking and disturbing but, as you look through them, you'll find that they are far more campy and often examples of excellent post-production and visual effects. Still, they are NSFW (not safe for work) and, if you're easily offended or disturbed, why the hell are you listening to our show? Okay, you've been warned and here's the link. Oh yeah, if you have Coulrophobia, you'll not appreciate the first image. Just saying.