What is photojournalism

Brief information about Photojournalism.

1. Are photojournalists a vital part of
society… Why or Why not?

2. Photojournalism:
Telling the Visual
Story

3. Definition
Journalism in which a story is presented
through photographs.

4. What is photojournalism, anyway?
It includes composing photographs to
catch viewer’s attention and have
meaning.
Also includes writing captions.

5. Photojournalist
•An individual who uses the images taken with a
camera to tell a story.
•A person who takes pictures is a photographer.
•There is a difference

6. Role of a Photojournalist
Be a storyteller
Take photos that reflect life not art or a
product (v. art/commercial photographers)
Work with editors, writers and designers to
complete assignments

7. Pros of being a Photojournalist
Travel
Meeting interesting people
Access to places most people don’t have
Share work with large audience
Fluid work schedule

8. Cons of being a Photojournalist
Unusual hours (holidays, nights and weekends)
Short notice for assignments
Working under deadline pressure
Physical danger (floods, fires, accidents)
See tragedy regularly
Lots of equipment
Low pay to start

9. Purposes of
Photojournalism

10. 1. To “sell”
Photos are the most viewed part of a
publication and help readers connect
visually to information.

11. 2. Provide Impact
A picture really is worth a thousand words
Photos help convey emotion

12. 3. Serve “watchdog” role of
journalism
Photojournalism helps readers know about
atrocities
Keeps big business/government in check

13. 4. View of the World
Photojournalism provides the average
person with a view of the world.
It takes them places they cannot go or do
not have access to.

14. 5. History
Photojournalism provides a historical record
of places, people and events.
Examples: opening of a new school,
presidential elections, etc.

15. Five ways a
photojournalist
accomplishes
storytelling

16. 1. Research
5 W’s and H
Photo assignment slips - talk with
writer/editor and those involved

17. 2. Be Prepared
Equipment - how much, which pieces
(lenses, light, card size, etc.)

18. 3. People Person
Make subjects feel comfortable
Spend at least 15 minutes with subject
Be seen with camera
Be comfortable talking to new people

19. 4. Assertive
Get close to subjects

20. 5. Gather Caption Info
5 W’s and H
Carry notebook

21. Photograph
From Greek
Photo = light, Graph = to draw
Photography = To draw with light

22. Photograph
Light drawing or light writing was not
discovered at once or by a single person.

People had always looked for a way to get
pictures without the long and tedious work of
an artist.

23. Goal of Photojournalism
Selecting story telling
photographs that can
convey the fullest,
most accurate sense
of the situation
photographed

24. Goal of Photojournalism
Engage the heart and
mind of a viewer with
a compelling version
of truth that results
from bearing witness
or a situation or
event.

25. Age of the Visual Journalist
Visually intense society raised on millions
of pictures.
Average of 5000 images a day in a variety
of forms.
Role of the photographer and writer are
changing.

26. Photojournalism
•Photojournalism is distinguished from other
branches of photography by the qualities of:
1.Timeliness
2.Objectivity
3.Narrative

27. Photojournalism
IS…

28. …Universal
language,
understood
everywhere

29. … history. It
records events
and lasts for a
long time.

30. … science: It
involves
chemistry,
math, physics

31. … fun: hobby,
amusement,
time with
friends

32. … job:
Professional
photographers:
sports,
modeling,
weddings,
nature,
advertising,
news