Photo Journalism 4(1+3)

Lesson 2 : Qualities of Photo Journalism

Principles for Photojournalism

1. Get in close
   Photos will often be published on low quality newsprint focus on a single, frame-filling centre of interest not more than two or three people. Not more than a few objects with a clean, contrasting background. If you cannot get in close, crop ruthlessly which destroy the entire image.

2. Find unusual angles
   Good Photojournalists are always moving to take photographs so that it will cover the whole situation or image.

3. Get indents
   All subjects easily identifiable must be named. Most editors will reject photos without indents. Ask and write their in your reporter’s notebook.

4. Burn pixels
   Take more number of photos of the situation /function so that it is easy to pick the good pictures.

5. Avoid obvious posing
   Try to make the scene appear natural. Photojournalism aims to cover people doing things, not people posing.

6. Add light but don’t make it obvious
   Available light is ideal. In some cases, light comes from ugly angles or is so weak you cannot even get close to stopping the action. You need to control the color balance of bright green florescent or difficult combinations of artificial and natural light. A good Photojournalists carefully analyse the light falling on their subject and find an angle which best enhances the scene.

7. Go beyond the cliche (over used statement)
   Take photographs of unusual scenes look for interesting actions which are not taken by others, but should be eye catching to the public. Make your shot stand out from the regular and common photos.

8. Focus faithfully, stay steady
   The photographers should focus properly on the scene to be shot. A blurred photos or many slight fuzziness will be enhanced by poor quality paper and fast reproduction. Most fuzzy photos can be blamed on camera movement. Use a minitripod.

9. Dump poorly exposed photos
   Expose the camera carefully and correctly. Do not use poorly exposed photos for publication.

10. Have guts
    Photojournalists should be more open minded daring to approach the people to take the photographs the people and to snaps. Note down their names and should posses a press pass to take close up of sports actions etc.