1. Subject matter tells what the story is, not what the story is about
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Telling stories
Subject matter tells what the story is, not what the story is about
Look for images that can be understood without having to read accompanying text, including cutline.
Can be news, feature, whatever, but should evoke a response from the viewer

2. Takes experience and a bit of luck to capture these
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Action
‘Frozen moments’
Takes experience and a bit of luck to capture these
Study subject long enough to be able to anticipate what will happen next

3. Typically an action photo that emphasized subject’s reaction
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Emotion
Typically an action photo that emphasized subject’s reaction
Often more telling than capturing the original action itself
Try to capture personality, what people you photograph are feeling at the time

4. See things differently than we normally would
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Perspective
See things differently than we normally would
Work the scene; go where others can’t or don’t
Most times, avoid “lotsa butts” perspective from behind the crowd

5. Provide interesting juxtaposition Avoid missing limbs
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Composition
Make sure everything in the viewfinder contributes and nothing distracts
Have central image (usually a person) in foreground, supporting images to place central image in context in background
Provide interesting juxtaposition
Avoid missing limbs

6. Rule of thirds PHOTOJOURNALISM ILLINOIS University of
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Rule of thirds

7. Be conscious of photo’s limits
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Be conscious of photo’s limits
What you hear or feel cannot be photographed except via the reaction of people in the image
Distractions you might miss while following action can be cemented into place in a frozen moment

8. Provide a newsy cutline
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Provide a newsy cutline
Identifiable people must be identified by full name and appropriate other information
Explain the newsworthiness of the photo
Maybe get a quote as well as an image
Don’t just shoot pretty pictures or pictures that document what something looks like

9. Is my camera good enough? 2 megapixels plus Not a cell phone
PHOTOJOURNALISM
University of
ILLINOIS
Graphics and Design JOUR 425
Is my camera good enough?
2 megapixels plus
Not a cell phone
Is my camera ‘too good’?
Standard lens (no telephoto or wide angle)
No strobes, filters, burst mode, auto- bracket or other special effects
Use “auto” mode (point and shoot)
No elaborate Photoshopping