Volume 3, Issue 7, July – 2018 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Analysis of Pulitzer Prize Winning Photographs

Based on Studium and Punctum Theory
Revathy R
Assistant Professor
Department of Journalism
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Jain University, Bangalore-560001

Abstract:- The study mainly aims to analyze the intense affiliation between the viewer and the photographic
Pulitzer Prize winning photographs of Daniel Berehulak subject. The punctum was felt as a shock that perforated
using Roland Barthes’s 'Studium' and 'Punctum' theory through the analytical reception of the studium. Whereas the
that was projected in Camera Lucida. The paper studium indexed detached sympathy, the punctum created
attempts to study these aspects through surface analysis associative emotional wound.
of the photographs (five selected photographs) from
2017 Pulitzer Prize Breaking News category in The Pulitzer Prize is an award given in the field of
photojournalism, based on the scorn for human life online journalism, newspaper, magazine, literature and art
within the Philippines. The surface analysis includes the where the categories range from photography to music.
cultural, historical and social meanings extracted via Daniel Berehulak is an Australian freelance photojournalist,
semiotic study (Studium) and the distinctive striking based in Mexico. He was awarded with two Pulitzer prizes
feature in each photograph that produce a meaning in 2015 and 2017. In 2015, his coverage of the Ebola
without any recognizable symbolic system (Punctum). epidemic in the African region won the award for Feature
This meaning will be unique in reaction of the individual Photography and in 2017 he was awarded under breaking
spectator of the images. news photography category for his coverage of the anti-drug
campaign within the Philippines, depicting brutal and
Keywords:- Studium, Punctum, Cultural, spectator, violent homicides. Daniel has visited over sixty countries
semiotics. covering history-shaping events together with the Republic
of Iraq war, the trial of Saddam Husain, child labour in
I. INTRODUCTION Asian countries, Asian nation elections and also the
comeback of Benazir Bhutto to Pakistan. He has also
Photography at this time has the peculiar dominion in documented folks handling the aftermath of the Japan wave
manufacturing its effects numbly and invisibly over the and also the urban centre disaster.
globe. With the invention of web, the sphere of photography
has full-grown remarkably in a mere snap. It has already II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
dominated the lives of individuals particularly the youth.
Photography currently, as associate degree sort, applied with In Dona Schwartz's Visual ethnography: Using
the trendy technology has become the stepping stone for a photography in qualitative research (1989), explains that
larger development. Photojournalism is a specific form of photography in qualitative analysis proposes a replacement
journalism that employs pictures in order to narrate a news in ethnographical analysis. By using inherent obscurities of
story. It is currently typically understood to refer solely to photographic symbolic process, the qualitative analysis
still pictures, however in certain cases the term additionally shapes the unique properties of photographic expression.
refers to video utilized in broadcast journalism. Responses to ethnographical images of a rural farm
community were recorded throughout cluster interview
Roland Barthes, in his book Camera Lucida elucidates sessions and analysed in relevancy extra ethnographical
the theory of photographic meanings with two relevant information gathered so as to review cognitive content
factors in an image, the Studium and Punctum. Studium is continuity and alter across generations in farm families.
the component that evokes interest in an exceedingly Discussions of photography within the aborning traditions of
photographic image. It shows the intention of the visual social science and social science are involved with
cameraman however, we tend to expertise this intention in two principal areas. The employment of still images as a
reverse as spectators. Culture and history are relevant method tool in social analysis, and also the use of images as
implications within studium. Punctum is an object or the a method of presenting social analysis. The inclination to
part of a photograph that jumps out as a striking feature treat photographs as unbiased proof disregards the
from it. It can be beside studium, but it creates an element convention-bound processes of each image creation and
which rises from the scene on the photograph interrupting interpretation. So as to profit social analysis, the
stadium and fills the entire image. Punctum is the unusual employment of photographic ways should be grounded
detail that attracts you to a photograph. The studium within the interactive context within which images acquire
considering aesthetic formalisms and experiencing that means.
sympathy for the photographic subject. In distinction, the
punctum was a lot of immediate and enclosed feelings of

IJISRT18JL26 www.ijisrt.com 34
Volume 3, Issue 7, July – 2018 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
Patricia Lange’s Emotional expressions of the studium identify the studium and punctum aspects. The researcher
and punctum on YouTube infant memorials (2013) focuses has selected five Pulitzer Prize winning photographs of
on how the individuals showing emotions towards the Daniel Berehulak from the breaking news category. The
memorial videos created by people who have suffered the Studium aspect will be explained by the subjective surface
loss of their loved ones. Semiotic analysis determine two analysis of the cultural, historical and social contexts of each
states that people experience emotions on interacting with photographs. The punctum aspects will be studied through
pictures and videos of individuals who have passed away. document analysis-that includes textual data in the form of
The primary is that the studium, or detached style of comments from the spectators available online for each
sympathy, and therefore the second is that the punctum, or selected photograph.
immediate emotional wound. An analysis of many hundred
comments denote to videos on YouTube suggests that some IV. OBJECTIVE
people expertise a style of the point that is not restricted to
the feelings of person one is aware of directly. However is This research paper intends to analyse and interpret a
commonly activated through sympathetic feelings towards photograph and focus on the surface analysis and
YouTube participants experiencing similar styles of exceptional striking features using Roland Barthes’ Studium
mourning. and Punctum theory. It helps people to gain insight into the
technical and philosophical aspects of a photograph being
Douglas Harper’s “Talking about pictures”, a case for taken and viewed. Hence, this research will help
photo elicitation is a definition of picture stimulus and a photographers/photojournalists to examine snapshots
history of its development in social science and captured on a different perspective and dimension, which is
anthropology. The importance of picture stimulus in these emotionally, culturally, socially and historically relevant.
disciplines, wherever the best range of studies have taken
place. The paper conjointly presents sensible concerns from V. ANALYSIS
a frequent researcher and concludes that picture stimulus
enlarges the chances of standard enquiry. Additionally, the In the analysis part an attempt has been made to
paper argues that picture is a stimulus which evokes data, analyse the surface structure and the exclusive feature with
feelings, and reminiscences that square measure attributable five different photographs which was taken by the Pulitzer
to the photograph's explicit style of illustration. Prize winner Daniel Berehulak in the field of
photojournalism under Breaking News Category and the
Sarah J Kember’s Virtual life of Photography explains same has been interpreted by using the stadium and punctum
that though photography is proliferating and diversifying, theory and the comments that are available online. Each
we tend to still don't grasp what it is, so as to seek out out photograph depicts the violence in Philippines and the chaos
what it is, we tend to look into it from each the skin and also that prevails in the peoples’ lives. The comments portray a
the inside: we tend to take into account each the condition of way to analyse the way people react and connect themselves
photography, and its metaphysics. New media studies, with the photographic subjects and the situations.
science and technology studies, and alternative connected
fields facilitate to illuminate the condition of photography,
or its exteriority. The article proposes that photography is
often understood through the terms of memory and intuition.
Memory, constitutes the virtual life of photography, and
intuition, as a way of understanding.

George Powell’s blog on photography states that

Barthes cites the journalistic images as relevant examples
for the studium aspect. Meanwhile, the proper understanding
of the punctum concept will help a photographer to make
powerful images. Punctum is very different and personal for
each individual. This could be your memories about your
childhood that comes to your mind the moment you look at
a photograph. Fig 1:- The body of Romeo Fontanilla

Roland Barthes in his book Camera Lucida Heavy rain falls on a dead body of Romeo Joel Torres
differentiates between a common interests in a scene, which Fontanilla.
he calls the studium, and something that arises from the
scene, shoots out of it like an arrow, and pierces - the The image got a number of comments where the
punctum. He supposes that the punctum in the images he people explains on how the body of the person is not
cites are necessarily accidental. attended by anyone also the lonely and sorrowful visual of
the rain. Also, how the people suffering in a place where
III. METHOD crime is lurking in each and every corner. People where
sympathetic in their response as a person’s dead body is
The research method used is qualitative analysis, since lying without any importance.
the study is based on the surface analysis of photographs to

IJISRT18JL26 www.ijisrt.com 35
Volume 3, Issue 7, July – 2018 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
According to the theory the Studium aspect can be The image brings out the visual from the living room
explained through how the image brings out the poignant where Florjohn Cruz was killed by armed men who barged
atmosphere with dark backgrounds and the falling rain, the into the house. As they cleaned the room, they found a
silent street also brings out the sadness in one’s mind when cardboard sign which said "Pusher at Adik Wag Tularan" --
viewing this photograph. We can see people standing behind "Don't be a pusher and an addict like him."
which is a striking feature where their helpless situation can
be identified and they seem least bothered about the This was a bloody sight for the social media where the
incident. people commented on the blood and the image of Virgin
Mary being placed where the person was killed. Also the
tight space where he was trapped is being discussed among
the viewers.

According to the theory, the Studium can be seen

through the way things are being stacked in the cupboard and
the light coloured wall with a tight space. Punctum can be
observed where the family altar where an image of Virgin
Mary is placed near the bloody scene, also the two bright
coloured clothes hanging catches the eye of viewer.

Fig 2:- Riding in Tandem

Michael Araja who went to the shop when he was shot

dead by two men on motorcycle and his body lying on the
sidewalk where the two police men examines the scene.

People share their views explaining the vulnerability

and the unsafe environment for a person to go outside his
home, further comments explains on how the people are
experiencing it and that they should be more careful with
their neighbourhood. Many have blamed the police force as Fig 4:- Brothers with the same fate
they do not ensure the protection of the people.
At the morgue, bodies were stacked like firewood
The theory can be applied and the Studium aspect can where Danilo andhis brother Aljon who were found dead
be seen through the street with dim light and the policemen under a bridge within a week's gap. Their mother took three
firing their torchlight on the dead body which is lying on the weeks to scrape together loand and donations for their
road and the girls and boys standing behind where they look funeral.
at the body from a small gulley. The Punctum aspect can be
bought out from the shop opened behind and the word People reacted in a sympathetic manner seeing the pile
"Fortune" being displayed in front of the shop brings out a of dead body which are stacked together, many criticised the
striking aspect in the photograph. way the bodies are kept and also how the morgue feels like a
tight space. Most people felt the need to increase resources
and the conditions of the morgue.

The Studium aspect can be seen through the white

coloured floor and wall with people being bought in and
stacked up. Punctum can be examined by the water bottle
which is a striking feature to see inside a morgue. People
were disturbed by the subjects in the photograph and the
conditions of the morgue.

Fig 3:- Don't be a pusher and an addict like him

IJISRT18JL26 www.ijisrt.com 36
 Volume 3, Issue 7, July – 2018 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165

REFERENCES

[1]. Barthes, Roland. Camera lucida: Reflections on

photography. Macmillan, 1981.
[2]. Berehulak, Daniel. "They Are Slaughtering Us Like
Animals." The New York Times (2016).
[3]. Harper, Douglas. "Talking about pictures: A case for
photo elicitation." Visual studies 17.1 (2002): 13-26
[4]. Kember, Sarah J. "The virtual life of photography."
(2008): 175-203.
[5]. Kobre, Kenneth, and Betsy Brill. Photojournalism: The
professionals' approach. Vol. 5. Burlington, MA: Focal
Press, 2004.
[6]. Lange, Patricia G. "Emotional expressions of the
studium and punctum on YouTube infant memorials."
Patricialange. com (2013).
Fig 5:- Living with the dead [7]. Schwartz, Dona. "Visual ethnography: Using
photography in qualitative research." Qualitative
The picture shows a man and woman cooking for their sociology 12.2 (1989): 119-154.
two month old twins where they live in a tent erected on top [8]. Powell, George. “Studium and Punctum.” George
of a tombstone. With the number of killings increasing Powell Photography, 1 July 2008,
cemeteries have become gathering places. georgepowell.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/studium-and-
punctum/.
People's view explains on how they felt the struggle of
a couple in feeding their babies, many have commented on
the unexpected fate of the people living there. Exploring the
comments, we can see many people relating themselves to
the photographic subject. They felt very much connected to
this image as some of the viewers might have experienced
similar situations. Many suggested that the authorities
should do the needful for their people.

According to the theory the bright light among the dim

background brings out a warm scene, the moonlit sky and
the buildings show the aspect of Studium. The Punctum can
be observed from the dog standing in front of the tent and
how the roof of the tent catches the eye of the viewer to feel
the struggle that the family is going through. These becomes
a striking feature in the image.

VI. CONCLUSION

The punctum aspect strikes the viewers more as they

have an intense connection towards the situation of the
photographic subjects. Expressions of sympathy are analysed
throughout the comments and the feeling of detachment
creates an intense emotional wound. The viewers experienced
sympathetic reactions not only to the photographic subjects
but also to the photographer. Several comments have indexed
an emotional wound by the experience of actual or fear of
loss. Mainly the Punctum aspect can be derived from the
people’s comments as they get more involved in seeing the
photographic subjects and the similar situation that they have
faced before. Therefore, we can say that it is not only the
visual aspect of the photographs but a feeling of being
connected with that unique feature or the subjects in the
photograph makes people react to it. Future studies might
focus on the differences of the studium and punctum through
comments to gain more knowledge on how people experience
emotions when viewing the photographs.

IJISRT18JL26 www.ijisrt.com 37