As a photojournalist and a documentary photographer, different from art photographers, I am making ethical decisions and facing ethical dilemmas every single second. Whether it's writing the captions, interviewing the sources, interacting with them to gain permissions, or photographing them. The ethical dilemmas can involve accepting food from the source when I go to their houses for an assignment, giving subjects such as unhoused people a ride, staging the photo, using AI to edit photos and more as my photography career moves on. In this page, I formulate my code of ethics to guide myself in my current or future photo assignments. I will keep updating this page as I do more assignments and gain more experience over time.
1. “While all photography is interpretive, as a photojournalist my photographs are meant to respect the visible facts of the situations I depict. I do not add or subtract elements to or from my photographs” - From the Four Corner Project.
2. Show different sides in the photo story, especially in the conflict involving different parties. I will take photos and interview all sides to have a full picture and present their points of view.
3. Present voices from different races and genders accurately and comprehensively. Avoid stereotyping the subjects by doing research, interviewing professional scholars if possible, communicating with the actual subjects, talking with different sides, seeking diverse opinions, fact-checking the captions.
4. Staging photos is only allowed in environmental portraits. Other situations are prohibited. Photojournalists should be on the ground and take photos of real situations.
5. Though saturating or beautifying the image color, exposure, white balance and composition is not prohibited, applying the minimal edits needed to maintain the integrity of the photo and context.
6. Asking for permission if I will post the photos on my social media and personal website.
7. While on assignments, never accept gifts, food, drinks from the subject. Never pay or bribe the subjects to photograph or to stage photos.