Photojournalism Tips

I bought my first digital camera in 2004, right after I graduated from Fresno State.  Since then, I have used my camera quite a lot, in fact, I think that I may have overused it.  I took pictures just for the sake of taking pictures with no goal in mind.  If there was one thing I did learn from last week’s introduction to photojournalism lecture it is that a good picture needs to be accompanied by thought.  Think before you press the shutter because a thoughtful picture, in my opinion, captures a memorable moment.

 

Types of shots

In ‘Photojournalism: The Professionals’ Approach,’ Kenneth Kobré talks about three different kinds of shots: overall, medium and close-up.  It was interesting to see how Kobré described the effects of each shot:

Overall shot sets the scene

Medium shot tells the story

Close-up adds drama, p.13-14

For the overall shot, the photo’s goal is to make readers feel as if they were present at the scene.  Kobré describes the medium shot as a news story lead:  It tells the whole story by putting the most relevant elements of a certain scene on one image. The close-up, my favorite, is an image of only one element of a certain scene.  In most cases, this element should be the most important, and by capturing this important element, you add some emotion to the final product.

 

Photojournalists on assignment

I always thought that photojournalists are assigned and restrained to capture images that complete a certain news story. I guess I was wrong.  Kobré says it is a photojournalist’s job to look for news events that would enable him or her to capture a photojournalistic moment.  Here are some of the points he makes:

• Always monitor your scanner radio to check for any breaking news.  Emergency agencies such as the police and fire departments use radio signals to communicate. You can use your scanner radio to listen to the transmissions from the emergency agencies.

• Be a news person.  Always be on the lookout for the latest news.   Make it a habit to continuously listen to the radio, watch the 24-hour cable news channels and visit news sites. 

• Establish relationships with people who could be helpful. It is always a good idea to make friends with cops or firefighters because they could tip you about breaking news or the latest developments of a certain news event.

• Look at event schedules in newspapers or online.  Always be aware of what events are going on around you, and when you decide you want to be at a certain event, make sure to “come early and stay late” (p. 54).