In focus: Capturing female rock photojournalists trailblazing attitudes on gender and stereotypes (1970s–1980s)

Abstract

Women music photojournalists in the 1980s escaped gender discrimination in the workforce because their work took place outside the newsroom. This finding merits an in-depth examination of women’s perspectives as photojournalists during this time. Based on the testimonies of five self-identified women born between 1953 and 1963 who worked as music photographers in the 1970s and 1980s, this paper analyzes the participants’ gender perceptions regarding their professional experiences in the photojournalism field. An analysis of the sample reveals that the public spaces where male and female photographers worked had no significant impact on gender discrimination, as editors operated with an economy of means compared to the work environments where men and women are forced to interact and socialize, such as newsrooms. The findings of this study contribute to ethnographic research on subcultures, increasing public interest in gender studies, particularly about education, professional performance, and perceptions of gender roles.