Originally posted by officiousbystander What do real photojournalists do?
It's only recently that people went to university to become journalists, or photojournalists, press credentials are not necessary. For certain professions, one becomes by doing.(getting a photo credit is a plus). A "real" or accredited PJ would compose the shot to the best extent possible. A real PJ would probably go and talk to some of the people in the crowd, see how they feel, get their names, in order to put some context to the captured image. Sometimes, this helps the PJ decide on how to present the image, to convey the "why" behind taking it in the first place.
Originally posted by officiousbystander Why would I want to capture it?
For the same reason that you presumably take interest in the work of other photojounalists, street photographers, etc. If so, it is because you recognize the humanity of individuals within a group, perhaps you empathize with them and want to capture that, to honor them. On the other hand, I can understand not wanting to take a picture for fear of exploiting the people in the scene.
Originally posted by officiousbystander And it's only going to get worse.
I wouldn't encourage that sort of thinking. A little healthy cynicism allows one ot prepare for a difficult situation, but one should never give in to despair.