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