Here at *Photo--Assignment we like to send our members on assignment. Our Assignments vary from a wide variety of topics to help broaden our understanding of photography. So we'd like to share with you some of our assignments and our member's work regarding those assignments! For this assignment, we discuss the foundations of photojournalism, tips to get the right image and future reading for those who want to take their skills a step futher. Remember: This is just an introductory article. Enjoy!

Intro into Photojournalism

Photojournalism is a unique kind of journalism, wherein images tell a news story. Normally, photojournalism includes the use of frozen images, and commonly used for print in newspapers and magazines. In contrast, this type of journalism may take the form of video for broadcast news.

The key goal of photojournalism is for the photojournalist to portray a story through snapshots. A shared problem amongst many writers is penning the right words to describe an incident or reaction. For example, a news writer reporting on a serious auto accident can use words like, "grave," or "mangle" to illustrate the wreck. Yet, words bring to mind limited emotions, and readers must rely on their imagination. On the other hand, photographs are compelling and convincing. What's more, images allow readers to grasp the printed or spoken word.

Distinguishing Photojournalism from other areas of Photography?

The use of images makes photojournalism distinct from other types of photography and journalism. News writers must rely on the written word to bring a story to life. This is a difficult craft, which generally entails the writer expanding their thinking and digging deep into their own emotions. Great journalism it capable of conveying a range of emotions - happiness, sadness, anger, and so forth. Unless a news writer connects with the story, he or she is unable to compose on an emotional level. Sometimes, this involves including a photo with the story.

Other types of photography may use images as a simple means of capturing a moment or beautiful scenery. However, this type of photography lacks elements crucial to photojournalism. Three important aspects of photojournalism include:

Timeliness or Relevance - Images or photos are significant to a written story

Impartiality - Depicted images are a non-discriminatory portrayal of actual events.

Narrative Story - Collective photographs and relevant news elements can effectively update and inform readers.

Tips on Shooting Photojournalist images

FOCUS ON PEOPLE
Photojournalism is the visual documentation of what is going on around us all. Nothing illustrates that more accurately than photographs of people doing the things people do.

Severe floods in the Midwest highlighted this last fall. Countless photos of flooding were commonplace on mainstream media wires and hundreds more were submitted to newspapers every day. What sets the good photos apart from the ever-increasing pool of common photos, are the people and actions photographed.

A photo of a person feverishly grabbing his belongings before his house floods is almost certainly going to be more gripping than one of floodwater and nothing else. At least, that’s the case in the world of photojournalism.

More information is derived from photos like these. Document the people affected by the events you photograph and you will step ahead of most other amateur photographers.

FOOT PATROL
When you’re out shooting photographs, get out of your car and walk. Meet people. Talk to them. Ask questions. You may be surprised to learn how many unique story ideas you can come up with just by being curious. Having a unique story is a quick way to impress an editor, but you won’t find it while driving around in your car

IT’S OK TO BE A COPYCAT
Keep an eye on professional photojournalists while they work. Check your ego: watch how they go about getting their photographs and you may learn a few things. Even simple things, like the notebook and pen they carry with them to write notes and names while on assignment, will give you an edge. They are professionals for a reason, so you can learn plenty from imitating them.

If you’re at an event covered by professional photojournalists, follow up the next day by looking at their published work in the newspaper or website they work for. You can learn a lot by doing this on a regular basis.

RESEARCH
Always do your research - know the Who, What, When, Where and WHY before you make a photograph. Don't just TAKE a photograph MAKE one. The more you know about your subject - the more depth your photographs will have. Also be a proactive photographer - think of story/project ideas and offer them to your editors. Don't sit back passively and wait for the "perfect assignment" to be handed down to you - it may never happen (you make it happen.)

PREPARATION
Prepare your gear - always be ready to go. You never know when the big story will come - and it's almost always at the worst possible time. Therefore you always need to be packed and ready to go at a moment's notice.

TRUTH
Truth: All we have as journalists is credibility. Once you lose that - you are lost. Never ever interfere or influence a news situation. Never ask people to do something again or set a photograph up. You are there to document the situation - not create one. Never attempt to lie or deceive. These are the most basic rules in photojournalism.

LIGHTING
Pay Attention to Light: The etymology of the word Photography is from the Greek works Photon and Graph - or "to record light." You should always keep a close eye on the light in every photograph you make - the angle from which you approach the light, the time of day you shoot a subject, and the way you expose your picture can have a dramatic affect on the final result. Most photographers out there are far too focused on capturing the moment - and seldom pay attention to light.

FORM
Pay Attention to Color and Form: Even though you're working with a constantly changing subject, that doesn't mean you should make photographs haphazardly. Always keep a good amount of your attention on the natural geometry in each photograph (learn about the rule of thirds and perspective lines from art books) and of course color. Color can have a tremendous impact on the mood of a photograph.

CONTENT
Content: While you're always looking to make and aesthetically pleasing photograph - what separates photojournalism from all other photography disciplines is the focus on content. A photograph is often news or content driven - not just a "pretty picture." That being said - if you can find the balance between the two (content and aesthetics) you will be far ahead of the pack.

Further reading:

Breaking into Photojournalism: [link]
7 Elements of the News Story: [link]
Exercises for Learning Photojournalism:[link]

Examples from our Members

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