Photojournalism
People Behind the Scenes
• Photo Editor = interacts with editorial staff and
photographers, edits photos.
• Brainstorm about how to tell the story.
• Provides the photographer with a list of subjects to be“ shot” and
when and where to find them.
• Discusses possible difficulties with the assignment.
• Determines the equipment needed for a particular assignment.
• Sets deadlines for the shooting, processing.
• Edits photos using different software and hardware
• Staff Photographer = workhorse of the photo staff.
• Keeps up with photo assignments.
• Has a camera/cameras – always ready to shoot!
• Gets photos processed in a timely manner.
• Keeps photos in easily retrievable format.
• Provides creative ideas for photographic coverage and feature
photos.
• Works as part of a team to make deadlines.
Search for survivors after the mudslide
How to Prepare for a Photo Shoot
• Determine where to go and when to be there.
Get directions!
• Be there early. (Go early and stay late, the
best shots happen at unscheduled times.)
• Evaluate the lighting situation.
• Pack extra batteries.
• Have extra equipment (filters, tripod, flash,
telephoto lens)
During the Shoot
• Get the photos that were specifically
assigned.
• Look for opportunities for feature photos
that could enhance the story.
• Mark each roll of film with a number and
film speed, record in a notebook what is
on each roll.
• Stay for the entire shoot.
• Get full names, titles, grades, etc.
After the Shoot
• Record information about the people,
event, etc. that might provide a good
caption.
• Select photos to use and suggest which
photos the editor may wish to use.
• Print the selected photos promptly and
attach a sheet with captions.
Qualities of a Good Photo
• Captures an action, reaction, or emotion.
• Camera angle – go up, go down, go anywhere
unconventional.
• Selective focus – consider blurring the background and or
foreground to keep your target the main focus.
• Framing – create a frame around the subject using its
surroundings.
• Contrast – contrast light and dark or action and inaction
• Natural diagonals and curves – avoid uniformity, look for
shapes and diagonals (standing on different steps rather
than same height and depth, etc.)
• Three-dimensionality – Have a foreground, middle ground
and background to show depth in your photos.
This 9-11 photo is a good example of framing
• Photo blacks and whites should be true
blacks and whites.
• Details should be clear.
• Colors in color photos should be true.
• Photos should be free of scratches,
fingerprints, and lint.
The 2004 Tsunami
Cropping
• Cropping = cutting unnecessary portions
of the photo.
The 2004
Tsunami
Rules of Composition
• Fill the frame – avoid excess or dead space around
your subject.
• Follow the rule of thirds – divide the photo into a tic-
tac-toe board. Do not center the photo, place it in
one of the intersections.
• Use leading lines – people visually follow lines, so
using lines is a good way to get the viewer to focus
on important things, follow the line . . .
• Use repetition or patterns
• Avoid busy backgrounds and mergers (poles out of
heads, etc)
Good lines: A Somali soldier walks inside a ruined
church in Mogadishu. 3-29-07
Water spills over a levee in the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina 30 August, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The Photo Essay/Story
• Photo Essay = a story told through photos
and captions.
President George W. Bush reacts as he listens to House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi during the annual Radio and Television
Correspondents Association dinner March 28, 2007.
• A member of the French acrobatic basketball team
"Crazy Dunkers" performs during a show in Riga
April 1, 2007. The group, which was formed in
1993 and has since performed more than 1,000
shows on five continents, currently holds three
