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Photo Cuts

The New York Daily News this week laid off its entire team of staff photographers — 10 men and women who on a daily basis chronicled the lives and happenings of 8.5 million New Yorkers.

The cuts, part of a newsroom-wide culling of 50 percent ordered by the parent company, Tronc Inc., not only meant that photographers Anthony DelMundo, Debbie Egan-Chin, James Keivom, Todd Maisel, Ken Murray, Andrew Savulich, Howard Simmons, Susan Watts, Marcus Santos and Jefferson Siegel have lost their jobs, they also are a blow to the future of local news in New York. "We're the front lines," Santos told the National Press Photographers' Association. "We tell them what is going on, and they send a reporter."

It's particularly distressing to see a newspaper whose entire identity was built around photography — its logo is an old-fashioned camera — resort to such draconian cost-saving measures. But the Daily News joins a long list of local newspapers to cull the ranks of their photo departments — from the Chicago Sun-Times to the Denver Post.

Such cuts often don't result in these newspapers hiring more freelancers. Instead, too often reporters are relied upon to take pictures with their phones. The quality suffers as a result (to no fault of the writers who cannot be expected to instantly master photography skills, even such basic ones as composition and lighting).

Tronc's cuts have been decried by many, including New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D), who pleaded with the Chicago-based company to change its mind. No one expects this will happen. I, however, have little doubt that history will show Tronc's decision to be a mistake for the Daily News's long-term journalistic mission and financial goals. - Olivier Laurent

Here are 17 of the week's best photos

The annual pony swim in Virginia, a skyscraper in China with an artificial waterfall, a protest during the Tour de France, Sean Spicer on his book tour and more images from around the world.

IN SIGHT

Perspective

An intimate, lyrical and poetic portrait of wrestling in Senegal

Photographer Nico Therin points his lens at the wrestlers of Senegal.

By Kenneth Dickerman and Nico Therin • Read more »

Although taken recently, these photos evoke an older, more nostalgic Iowa

Photographer Barry Phipps documents life in Iowa.

By Kenneth Dickerman and Barry Phipps • Read more »

Inside a mostly faded culture on Norway's border with Sweden

Norwegian photographer Terje Abusdal documents the "Forest Finns."

By Kenneth Dickerman and Terje Abusdal • Read more »

MUST-SEE PHOTO STORIES

As Venezuela crumbles, its fleeing citizens are becoming Latin America's new underclass

Venezuelans facing an economic crisis often wind up exploited or in menial jobs.

Photos by Jahi Chikwendiu • Read more »

U.S. allies have killed thousands of Yemeni civilians from the air. After 22 died at a wedding, one village asks, 'Why us?'

Civilian deaths have continued unabated despite assurances by the U.S.-supported coalition that it would take steps to reduce accidental fatalities.

Photos by Lorenzo Tugnoli • Read more »

As their Minneapolis community deals with fear and paranoia, two Somali teens turn to basketball

The sport has given them an identity. But it doesn't always make them feel welcome.

Photos by Jenn Ackerman • Read more »

'They thought black soldiers couldn't fight'

Black troops have fought with valor in every war since the American Revolution. But the military's transition to full integration would prove as difficult as integration in the rest of society.

Photos by Michael S. Williamson • Read more »

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