Photo Journalism

Photojournalist A news photographer They create a picture that tells a story “A photograph of an apple in a bowl of fruit on a kitchen table: that’s photography. A photograph of an apple floating in a barrel of water and bobbling away from the outstretched mouth of a teenager on Halloween: that’s photojournalism.”

Composition Arrangement of the elements in the photograph. (subject, foreground, and background)

Rules of Composition: 1. Bold & Simple –Don’t leave empty space in or around the center of interest. –The subject should FILL THE FRAME

Rules of Composition 2. Watch the background –Be careful – the background can be distracting –But, it can also add depth to an image

Rules of Composition 3. Observe the rule of thirds Place subject at intersection of any 2 lines.

Rule of Thirds, cont Helps move the subject out of the center Symmetric pictures are boring and monotonous

Rules of Composition 4. Use leading lines ◦People tend to follow lines – in photo use them to pull in viewers eye ◦Examples – streets, fences, any kind of diagonal line

Rules of Composition 5. Frame the photograph  Place something in foreground corner to serve as frame for true subject ◦ Example – archway, tree branch

Developing an Eye 1. Look at everything you see as if you were planning to take a photograph 2. Learn from others 3. Become a people watcher 4. Study photographs to avoid photographic clichés 5. Look for emotions

Taking Quality Photos Having the proper attitude ◦Assume responsibility for your work  Know dates, time, and purposes of each assignment  Carry enough “film” and equipment  Shoot photos of popular and not-so- popular students  Shoot one shots, as well as two, three, five and 10 shots  Take a variety of photographs – different angles and varying distances

Organizing for Success Adopt the Boy Scout motto – “Be prepared” Examples – ◦Once job is over, remove memory card and replace with new one ◦Bracket shot – take 3 times – using different settings

Finding Photographs Good photojournalists show readers something they have not seen Develop contacts

Ethical Concerns If a news event occurs on public property, photographers have a legal right to cover event so long as they do not interfere with police or free flow of traffic.

Ethical Concerns ◦Courtrooms ◦Prisons ◦Legislative chambers ◦Medical facilities ◦Hotel lobbies ◦Restaurants ◦Movie theaters ◦Business offices Restrictions might apply to the following: ◦Government buildings ◦Museums Photographers need permission to take photos in the following places: