Israel on Thursday slammed four international media outlets — the New York Times, CNN, the Associated Press and Reuters — over the conduct of four photojournalists in Gaza, saying they had advance knowledge of the attack by Hamas militants on October 7 that killed more than 1,400 people.

The news services strongly rejected the Israeli government’s accusation they had any forewarning of the impending murderous assault, with the New York Times saying the “outrageous” charges endangered journalists in both Israel and Gaza.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accused the foreign media of employing contributors who were tipped off on the Hamas attacks. “It has come to our attention that certain individuals within your organization, including photographers and others, had prior knowledge of these horrific actions and may have maintained a troubling connection with the perpetrators,” he wrote on X.

The Israeli government’s press office director, Nitzan Chen, wrote to the four organizations’ bureau chiefs in Israel asking for clarifications regarding the behavior of four photographers amid the assault by Hamas militants.

Israel’s letter, which was seen by POLITICO, accused the photojournalists who worked with the publications of arriving at Israel’s border “alongside Hamas terrorists, documenting the murder of Israeli civilians, lynching of soldier and kidnappings to Gaza” and sought a response on the “disturbing findings” published Wednesday by a pro-Israel non-governmental organization.

Israel’s request for clarification followed a report by Honest Reporting. The most serious question posed by the NGO was whether the photographers had a heads-up that the attack was being planned so were ready on the Saturday morning in order to track the Hamas militants at close range.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went further over the question of whether reporters should have chronicled the crimes rather than trying to stop them, saying the journalists were “accomplices in crimes against humanity.” Israeli centrist leader Benny Gantz, a member of Netanyahu’s war cabinet, said journalists who were on the scene of the massacre but “still chose to stand as idle bystanders while children were slaughtered — are no different than terrorists and should be treated as such.”

The NGO’s report said two of the four photojournalists whose names first appeared under AP’s photo credits were also working as freelancers for CNN and the New York Times. Reuters published pictures from two other photojournalists who were also at the border as Hamas’ infiltration began.

On Thursday, the Israeli government’s press office published a statement on X accusing the four photographers of crossing “every professional and moral red line” for breaking through the border fence into Israel with the militants, filming the murder of civilians, the abuse of bodies, and the abduction of men and women.

Media hit back

Later on Thursday, Reuters, AP and The New York Times issued statements denying having had any prior knowledge of the October 7 attacks.

Reuters specifically hit back at the notion that it effectively had an embedded photojournalist with Hamas. It said it acquired photos from “two Gaza-based freelance photographers who were at the border on the morning of Oct. 7,” and that the agency didn’t have a prior relationship with either of them.

“The photographs published by Reuters were taken two hours after Hamas fired rockets across southern Israel and more than 45 minutes after Israel said gunmen had crossed the border,” Reuters added, saying its staff journalists “were not on the ground at the locations referred to in the Honest Reporting article.”

AP said that it “had no knowledge of the Oct. 7 attacks before they happened. The first pictures AP received from any freelancer show they were taken more than an hour after the attacks began. No AP staff were at the border at the time of the attacks, nor did any AP staffer cross the border at any time.“

It added that the agency is “no longer working with Hassan Eslaiah,” one of the photographers named in the report, “who had been an occasional freelancer for AP and other international news organizations in Gaza.” Honest Reporting’s report has a picture of Eslaiah smiling as he is kissed by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The New York Times described the accusations as “untrue” and “outrageous,” as they put “journalists on the ground in Israel and Gaza at risk.” It also criticized Honest Reporting for making “vague allegations against several freelance photojournalists working in Gaza, including Yousef Masoud,” clarifying that Masoud “was not working for The Times on the day of the attack,” but had done “important work” for the publication.

CNN has not issued any statement on the report. It was, however, cited by the Israeli Ynet network saying that it had cut ties with Eslaiah.

“We are aware of the article and photo concerning Hassan Eslaiah, a freelance photojournalist who has worked with a number of international and Israeli outlets,” a CNN spokesperson was quoted as saying by Ynet. “While we have not at this time found reason to doubt the journalistic accuracy of the work he has done for us, we have decided to suspend all ties with him.”

body, .masterMcWrap {
background: #f7f7f7;
}

.news_panel_widget .pnpWrapper {padding: 0px; }

.centeredAd {background: unset;}

.masterMcWrap:after {display:table; content: “”;clear: both;}

img {
max-width: 100%;
}

.backDrop {
display: none;
}

#mts_r_0 {padding-top: 20px;clear:both;}

.linksHeader {font-weight:bold;width:100%;margin-bottom:10px;}
a.leftLink {line-height: 20px;padding: 5px 0px;width:100%;display:inline-block;}
a.leftLink:hover {text-decoration:none;}

@media all and (min-width: 768px) {
.centerWrap,
.masterMcWrap {
width: 768px;
margin: auto;
float: none;
padding: 20px 0px;
}

#mts_c_1 {padding-top: 0px;}
#mts_r_0 {border-top: solid 1px #dddddd;}

#mts_c_2 {
width: calc(100% – 320px);
margin-right: 20px;
border-right: solid 1px #dddddd;
padding-right: 20px;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 1024px) {
.centerWrap,
.masterMcWrap {
width: 94%;
margin: auto;
float: none;
padding: 20px 0px;
}

#mts_c_2 {width:calc(100% – 515px) !important;margin-right:20px !important;}
}

@media all and (min-width: 1367px) {
.masterMcWrap {
width: 94%;
max-width: 1630px;
padding: 20px 0px;
}
}

body, .masterMcWrap {
background: #f7f7f7;
}

#mts_r_0 {padding-top: 20px; border-top: solid 1px #dddddd;}

img {
max-width: 100%;
}

.innerSec {
width: unset;
}

#mts_c_1 {
display: none;
clear: both;
}

@media all and (min-width: 768px) {
.masterMcWrap {
width: 100%;
margin: auto;
float: none;
padding: 20px 0px;
}

#mts_c_2 {
width: calc(100% – 320px) !important;
border-right: solid 1px #dddddd;
padding-right: 20px;
}

#mts_c_1, #mts_c_2 {
margin-right: 20px !important;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 1024px) {
.masterMcWrap {
width: 94%;
max-width: ;
margin: auto;
float: none;
padding: 20px 0px;
}

#mts_c_1 {
display: inline-block;
}

#mts_c_2 {
width: calc(100% – 500px) !important;
}
}

@media all and (min-width: 1367px) {
.masterMcWrap {
width: 80%;
}
}

CONWAY, S.C. (WPDE) — Two Coastal Carolina University professors are bringing light to the struggles of the local homeless population, and it’s all thanks to a disposable camera.

Dr. Sara Brallier and Dr. Stephanie Southworth have been researching homelessness in Horry County for the past seven years.

Now they’re trying to bring awareness to the troubles of the homeless community by elevating their perspective.

RELATED: Driving out hunger: New Directions gears up for ‘Fill the Truck’ donation drive

The professors interviewed more than 400 homeless people one-on-one, as part of what they call the Community Change Initiative.

This spring, they turned to focus groups, where about 40 people were given disposable cameras.

The results were then turned into the Photovoice Photo Exhibit, a 32-panel exhibit that travels all over Horry County shedding light on the challenges our local homeless population faces in their everyday lives.

They go around, and they photograph their lives. Things that they want the community to know about the experience of homelessness. And then they return it to a location that we’ve agreed upon,” said Sara Brallier, Professor of Sociology at CCU. She added, “Then we meet with them again and ask them to pick which photo they like the best and give us a quote about it.

Some of the quotes are touching like this one about a man and his dogs.

I have dogs, I had them before I became homeless. The shelter won’t let my dogs come in so I stay out here. I cannot lose them too.

“The man with the dog actually sat out a hurricane in his tent because he wouldn’t find a place that would take him and his dogs,” said Dr. Stephanie Southworth an Assistant Professor of Sociology at CCU.

Other photos in the exhibit are almost poetic.

This is the long road. I just follow the tracks

The results from these photos and years of research have been eye-opening.

“People are walking around all night long because if they stop, they’ll get arrested. It’s illegal to sleep just about anywhere in Myrtle Beach or Conway. Some people were telling us stories about how they are walking and walking, and they are just exhausted,” said Dr. Southworth.

When they asked one man for a quote, he was simply too exhausted from walking.

All he had to say was this:

I’m too hot. I just can’t.

The research they’re finding is also breaking down stereotypes.

“The surprising thing, over the last seven years, is that most of the people that we talk to have an income. They either have an income from jobs, social security, or disability, or they just don’t have enough money for rent,” said Dr. Southworth.

This picture and quote say it all.

This is home. This is where I live.

The professors hope these pictures and their research will help make changes in both people’s perspectives and in public policy toward homelessness.

These are not individuals making bad decisions,” Dr. Bralier said. “These are folks facing structural problems like lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable transportation, lack of health care, lack of mental health care.

“Almost everybody we’ve talked to is doing everything they can to get out of their situation. There have only been two people, I think out of 400 that had given up. But those two people, they had tried for so long and failed for so long, that they just said forget it this is my life now,” said Dr. Southworth.

The professors have done numerous homeless outreach programs and even wrote a book on homelessness called, Homelessness in the 21st Century – Living the Impossible American Dream.

NEW: Myrtle Beach unveils new WWII memorial

After this project, they plan to work on opening a community resource center where people can have a one-stop shop for all the resources they might need. Things like mental health care, affordable housing resources, and identification replacement.

The Photovoice Photo Exhibit will be at Fresh Brewed Coffee in Downtown Myrtle Beach starting Saturday.

It will be there for a week. The exhibit is also available online.

Creating an effective staging plan for property photography involves careful planning, attention to detail, and a focus on highlighting the property’s best features. Here’s a comprehensive staging plan that I use that includes the use of props and emphasizes cleanliness.

1. Pre-Shoot Preparation 

• Conduct a thorough walkthrough of the property to identify its key selling points, such as architectural features, views, natural light, and open spaces.
• Clean the entire property thoroughly, including all furniture, surfaces, windows, floors, carpet, rugs and fixtures. A spotless property is essential for creating appealing photographs. If you’re only doing the photography, make sure the landlord or property owner is aware of what needs to be done. There’s only so much Photoshop you can do, and you want to present an accurate portrait of the property
• Repair or get the landlord or owner to repair any visible damages or issues, such as cracked walls, leaky faucets, or broken appliances. Look at using grout cleaner to fix dirty or old grout in bathrooms and kitchens, and use white or colored caulk to blend in connecting surfaces to walls and around door frames.
• Remove any of the tenant or landlord’s personal items, clutter, and unnecessary furniture that can make the space look crowded or less appealing.

2. Choosing the Right Props

• Select props that complement the style and design of the property. For example, if it’s a modern home, choose contemporary props; for a more traditional property, opt for classic or vintage props.
• Common props include potted plants, fresh flowers, decorative pillows, throw blankets, artwork, and stylish table settings. You can even look at fresh pastries or bread for a kitchen and a laptop, book, or newspaper for a study or office.
• Remember to use props sparingly to enhance, not overwhelm, the space. Avoid cluttering or creating a staged look that is too artificial. It should look natural so any potential client should be able to imagine living there. 

3. Furniture Placement

• Arrange furniture to maximize the sense of space and flow. In the living room, for instance, create a conversational area with seating around a central focal point, such as a fireplace or TV.
• In the bedroom, make sure the bed has clean, high-quality linens and add accent pillows for a cozy touch. Throws and pillows should be matched ideally. Everything needs to be clean and ironed to avoid wrinkling wherever possible.  
• Dining areas should be set up with a well-dressed table, including place mats, dishes, and utensils. Flowers can dress an antique table, for instance, and draw the eye in. 
• Make sure all furniture is clean and in good condition, unless it’s meant to be distressed, of course. Repair or replace any damaged items as necessary. Furniture should ideally have some matching element or theme and be complimentary to the space rather than standing out unless it’s a featured piece.

4. Lighting

• Utilize natural light to your advantage. Open curtains and blinds to control or allow natural light to flood the space.
• Add supplementary lighting if needed, such as floor, wall, or table lamps, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Look at the color of the bulbs that you’re using. For instance, tungsten creates a warm and homely feel, while daylight-balanced bulbs are better for work spaces or home-based offices. 

5. Accessorize

• Add tasteful accessories to enhance the overall look of the property. This might include decorative vases, area rugs, and tasteful artwork on the walls. Remove anything that looks out of place or doesn’t fit in with the decor. Remember, you don’t have to bin it; just move it out of the line of sight of the camera.
• Ensure that accessories are carefully chosen to complement the color scheme and style of the space.
• Include models. This might include using people for lifestyle magazine-style shots. Be diverse and include children and adults of all ages and backgrounds to fit in with the client’s brief and the target audience. 

6. Exterior Staging

• Pay attention to the property’s exterior as well. Trim landscaping, mow the lawn, and remove any clutter from the yard. Paint any guttering and walls if they are stained or damaged.
• Use sand to fill in holes between paving slabs or bricks. Just brush it in and leave it.  
• Consider using outdoor furniture or decor on patios or decks to showcase outdoor living spaces. Look at furniture that complements the area rather than just using plastic cheap seating.
• Power-wash any paving slabs and walls that have mold, moss, or weather stains.

7. Photography Setup

• Use a high-quality camera with a wide angle lens to capture more of the room in a single shot.
• Adjust your camera settings to optimize your exposure and white balance.
• Use a tripod to maintain stable, level shots at waist height, and avoid camera shake.
• Take multiple photos from different angles to capture the property’s best features.
• Don’t be afraid to single out features like bookshelves, alcoves, and other features.

8. Post-Processing

• Edit the photos as needed to enhance color, contrast, and sharpness.
• Remove any unwanted distractions or reflections.
• Clean up walls but without massively changing the architecture. Don’t remove walls, windows, or other permanent fixtures. 
• Maintain a natural look while ensuring the photos are clean and visually appealing.

9. Review and Refine

• Review the photos to ensure they effectively and accurately highlight the property’s strengths.
• If necessary, make further adjustments and don’t be afraid to retake photos if you make a mistake.
• Get them uploaded to an online portfolio for the client. Something like Zenfolio, Smugmug, or Pic-Time works well.

By following this staging plan, you can help to create compelling property photographs that showcase the space in its best light, attracting potential renters or buyers and helping the property stand out in the real estate market.