photojournalism-the basics
DESCRIPTION
The Basics on photojournalism, principles and concepts. Tips on how to be good photojournalist. Credits to the authors I've used as a reference.TRANSCRIPT
PHOTOJOURNALISM
PHOTOJO
URNALI
SM
Let’sBEGIN
PHOTO
JOURNALIS
M
WHAT iS
Is the use of pictures or
photos and illustrations
for publication.
P OH TOjournalism
It is a specialized branch of publication, the art and science of
photography combined with the written words.
the mere taking ofpictures is photography
PHOTOJOURNAISM
NOT
x
tWo thingsTo rememberand consider when
selecting pictures for publications
tWo thingsTo rememberand consider when
Technical Value
1st
tWo thingsTo rememberand consider when
A picture has a technical value when it is clear, free from smudges, clear and
not blurred.
tWo thingsTo rememberand consider when
Editorial Value
2nd
tWo thingsTo rememberand consider when
It has editorial value when it tells a story at a glance,
when it shows life happening, moment of truth and significance,
meaning it has news value
Why take
PICTURES?
ive main functions of
photos/illustrations
F
To attract attentionTo illustrate a point in the
storyTo tell a story itself through
the aid of captionsTo tell a story in sequence
with other illustrationsTo give visual relief to the
layout
ARE
you aPHOTOJOURNALIST?
CHARACTERIS
T
ICS
OF A GOODPhoToJourn
alist
1. Should have a working knowledge of his outfit --- camera, lens, and film.
2. Should know a little of art and be possessed with a notion of contrast, composition, angle and shape.
3. Must have a nose for drama, oddity, rarity, action and for human interest stories.
4. Must be acquainted with the important as well as with the notorious people who break into the news often.
5. Must have diplomacy and tact when covering risky assignments like fires, riots, rallies, and demonstrations.
6. Must be acquainted with the libel laws, since libel suits can also proceed from pictures.
wHat Makesa photo great?
QUALITIES OF A GOOD PHOTO
1. ProminenceJust like in a story itself, pictures of prominent personalities attract to the interest of readers.
2. Action“Action speaks louder than
words”
3. Human interest Pictures that show emotion
4. DramaAnother form of human
interest
5. TimelinessPhoto credits: Toya and the Sun
CAPTION
WHAT IS A CAPTION?
A caption is the text of body type, accompanying photos or art work or any pictorial illustration.
Captions should be . . .
written in short pithy sentences, average of 15 words for a sentence
tell and answer the basic question (Who, what, where, when, and why.)
identify everyone in the picture and be accurate. (Give the full Christian name, make it clear who is who.)
Match the caption with the mood of the picture
A caption is conversational
Captions should supplement what is seen
Should not contradict the photo
Don’t begin with “Photo shows”, “In the photo are. . .”
Don’t rewrite the news story as a caption
The caption should be intended, say an em or en at each side
Credits to: Toya and the sun
The Picture Story
It is the use of a series of pictures with a minimum of words called caption story. It also illustrate a
“how to” article.
Credits to: Toya and the sun
The Caption Story
Most pictures in the feature section and in magazines are explained with a caption story in essay form. Aside from answering the important W’s, are descriptive, narrative and expository.
PLACING SUBJECTS IN THE RIGHT AREA
The Rule of Thirds
Placing the point of interest
or subject/s in the right area.
Perhaps the most well known principle of photographic composition is the ‘Rule of Thirds‘.
One of the first things that budding digital photographers learn about in classes on photography is the basis for well balanced and interesting shots.
The basic principle behind the rule of
thirds is to imagine breaking an image
down into thirds (both horizontally and
vertically) so that you have 9 parts. As
follows:
The ancient Greeks discovered the pleasing effect of objects with a rectangular shape. When a picture is divided into thirds, it is often most powerful if the focus of attention is in the intersection of two of the perpendicular lines.
Depth of Field refers to the area of a photograph, in front of ( foreground) or behind (background) the point of focus, that is considered acceptably sharp.
DEPTH OF FIELD
The sharpest part of the image should be the point of interest, so focus must be taken cared of. If something other than the main subject is the sharpest part of the composition, the viewer’s eye will rest in the wrong place.
Focus
Perspective refers to the relative size and depth of subjects within a picture. When the field of view is wide (image below) the perspective becomes more apparent because it is stretched.
Perspective
Close objects appear much larger than those in the background. With a narrower field of view (above image), the perspective is foreshortened and becomes less apparent (blur).
PatternThere are patterns all around us if we only learn to see them. Emphasizing and highlighting these patterns can lead to striking shots – as can high lighting when patterns are broken.
TextureA two
dimensional thing yet with the clever use of ‘texture’ they can come alive and become almost three dimensional.
Leading Lines/Lines
Lines can be powerful elements in an image.They have the power to draw the eye to key focal points in a shot and to impact the ‘feel’ of an image greatly.
Composition styles Framing Macro Portrait Human Interest Action Motion Blur Life Street Photography
FramingMacro
Portrait
HUMAN INTEREST
Action
Motion blur
Life
Street photography
Prepared by: Piscos, Norielle MaeBSED-ENG3A