Actors Instead of Images. A Look Behind the Lens of International Photojournalism in Israel / Palestine

Israel / Palestine is one of the most important spots for international photojournalism. While the images produced in the region are often the subject of critical discussion, we seldom look at the actors and structures of photojournalism in the region. In doing so, the phenomena that can be observed in the region facilitate our understanding of the published imagery. Moreover, they allow us to draw conclusions regarding photojournalism in general and conflict photography in particular. This paper will present a number of central results of a study of international photojournalism that investigates the photojournalistic actions of international, Israeli and Palestinian photojournalists working in Israel / Palestine. The paper primarily focuses on exploring the differences in the practices and routines of various photojournalistic milieus. Furthermore, it identifies factors, both those that are inherent to journalism and those that are conflict­related, which influence photojournalistic action. The paper follows from the hypothesis that only renouncing the preoccupation with the published image and the examination of the conditions and practices of production will enable us to understand the complex structure and actor framework of contemporary photojournalism. In consequence, the paper advocates the development of applied photojournalism research.