Picture this -- better photography can provide insight

While magazines sometimes contribute to debate, it is not often that much attention is paid to magazines in our legislatures. The editor of the quarterly Nova Scotia Policy Review, Rachel Brighton tells us that her September issue got used as evidence in the Nova Scotia legislature because it reported that the government has actually cut back social assistance, even while over all provincial spending is up 50%. MLA Trevor Zinck tabled the issue November 12 in support of his question to the responsible minister.

In the most recent, December issue, the Review publishes an article that explores the impact that photography can have on our views of social issues and giving greater insight into how policy decisions affect people for good or ill.

But this kind of photojournalism is lacking in our province today.

The magazine's cover carries a photo (see above) taken in 1962 by photojournalist Bob Brooks (it shows a man rising to make a point at a community meeting held after the City of Halifax announced its plan to clear away the village of Africville and relocate its residents). Brighton points out that its style and content contrasts somewhat with today's prevailing "expedient news photography":

"typically staged and dramatic, with moody lighting, brooding faces and sentimental props all used to score emotional points."

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