Which best explains why photojournalism did not emerge until the Civil War
A. Camera technology had to become portable and three quality images.
B. There were a few particular uses for photography prior to the Civil War.
C. People had a lot of concerns about photographing the dead in previous eras
D. Civil War was the first war to receive widespread coverage in the press
D. Civil War was the first war to receive widespread coverage in the press
D. Civil War was the first war to receive widespread coverage in the press.
The correct answer is D. Civil War was the first war to receive widespread coverage in the press.
To understand why this is the case, let's take a look at each option and evaluate them:
A. Camera technology had to become portable and produce quality images: While the development of portable cameras and improvements in image quality did play a role in the advancement of photojournalism, it is not the main reason why it did not emerge until the Civil War. There were already portable and high-quality cameras available before the Civil War, such as the Daguerreotype camera introduced in 1839. Therefore, this option does not fully explain the emergence of photojournalism.
B. There were a few particular uses for photography prior to the Civil War: This option suggests that photography had limited applications before the Civil War, but it does not directly explain the absence of photojournalism. While it is true that photography found various uses, such as portrait photography and documentation of landscapes, architecture, and scientific experiments, it doesn't specifically address the emergence of photojournalism.
C. People had a lot of concerns about photographing the dead in previous eras: This option suggests that concerns around photographing the dead in earlier times prevented the emergence of photojournalism. While it is true that there were societal sensitivities surrounding death and photography in previous eras, this alone does not explain why photojournalism did not emerge until the Civil War. Photojournalism encompasses a wider range of subjects beyond the dead, such as events, people, and places.
D. Civil War was the first war to receive widespread coverage in the press: This option correctly explains why photojournalism did not emerge until the Civil War. Photojournalism relies on the ability to capture and disseminate news and events through photographic images. The Civil War was the first conflict that received extensive coverage in newspapers and magazines. The advances in communication technology during this time, such as the telegraph, allowed for timely transmission of news. The demand for visual representation of the war led to increased use of photography, eventually paving the way for the emergence of photojournalism.
In conclusion, the correct answer is D. Civil War was the first war to receive widespread coverage in the press.