Photojournalism

Lesson Essential Questions  How do you compose a photograph for maximum impact?  How do you adjust a camera’s shutter speed and aperture to take a correctly exposed photograph?  How do you crop and size a photograph?  How do you write a cutline?

Vocabulary  Photojournalist  Composition  Lens  Film  Aperture  Exposure  Time exposure  F-stop  Film speed  Depth of field  Telephoto lens  Wide-angle lens  Zoom lens  Sizing  Stand-alone

Making Great Photos: The Art of Composition

Composition Rules  The most important element in photography is the person holding the camera.  The composition of a photograph is the arrangements of the elements in the photograph.  The subject of the photo should be kept simple, free of distractions, just like writing a news story.  Ansel Adams, one of america’s finest photographers, said “A photograph is not an accident – it is a concept.”

Fill the Frame  Photographs have to compete with other items on the page of a newspaper.  Most photographs are printed smaller than the photographer would like, and some of the detail may be lost when printing, so a photograph should be bold and simple.  The subject of the photograph should fill the area, leaving no empty spaces around it.

Watch the Background  Sometimes the background is an important part of the photograph, but sometimes it is distracting.  Photojournalism is based on spontaneity.  Don’t move y0ur subject around, that could make the photo seem staged. Try and move around yourself, and get a good picture that way, without having your subject move or pose.

Observe the Rule Of Third  As a photographer, you should try to divide your photograph into thirds, both horizontally, and vertically.  The subject of the photo should be centered on the intersection of two of these lines.  The rule of thirds is especially important when taking a picture where the horizon is visible. The horizon should be one-third or two-thirds from the bottom or top of the photograph, never in the middle.

Use Leading Lines  People tend to follow lines with their eyes.  Experiences photographers try to follow lines in their photos, like street lines or sidewalks.

Frame the Photograph  Use a branch or tree to frame the photo, giving it a three-dimensional feel.  Be sure to place it in the corner, as to not draw attention.

Developing an Eye for Photos  A good photographer must learn to develop an eye for photos in an environment.  Emily Zola, writer, once said “You cannot claim to have really seen something until you have photographed it.”

A Strategy for Taking Quality Photos  To take a quality photo, a photographer must develop a useful strategy.

Having the Proper Attitude  Know the times, dates and purposes of each photographic assignment  Always carry enough equipment to complete the photography task  Shoot photos of all students, not just the “popular” students. Shoot one shots (photographs with one person), as well as 2, 3, 5, and 10 shots.  Take a variety of photographs from different angles and at varying distances from the subject.

Organizing for Success  Be prepared.  Equipment should always be ready for use.  Regularly inspect and clean your camera according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  On the job, always bracket your shots.(Take the same shot 3 times, each with a different exposure).  Change your perspective by getting down and shooting up, or by getting up and shooting down.  Vary the distance between you and your subject.  After completing the roll and rewinding the film, label the cassette.

How a Camera Works  Cameras contain a small opening that allows light to enter the dark chamber within and then pass through a lens.  They have a light-sensitive area behind the lens, where the image can be processed and interpreted.  The lens gather the rays of light from the scene and transmit them, in an expanding cone, back to a light- sensitive area.  This light-sensitive area is called the film.  A device the lens controls the amount of light transmitted, this device is called the aperture.

Parts of a Camera  Basic Parts:  A light-tight box or body  A lens to sharpen the image  A lens opening to control the amount of light that reaches the film  A shutter to control the length of time the film is exposed to light  A mechanism to release the shutter