UNDERSTANDING AND

APPRECIATING THE BASICS

OF PHOTOJOURNALISM


Theme: Promoting Digital Literacy
Thru Campus Journalism
December 8-9, 2011
Dep Ed Conference Hall
Daet Camarines Norte
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Comes from the combined
Latin words photos and
graphos (Wikipedia)
The PROCESS OF
RECORDING PICTURES by
means of capturing light on
a light-sensitive medium
such as film or electronic
sensor (Encarta,2005)
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The product of photography has been called
photograph or photo for its short word.


CAROL SZATHMARI

First Photographer who did
pictures during Crimean
War. His albums were sent
to European Royal Houses
but only some of his
photography survived.
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CAMERA (CAMERA OBSCURA)
The IMAGE FORMING
DEVICE, and
photographic film or
a silicon electronic
image sensor is the
sensing medium.
(Kindersley,2005)
A light tight box with
a lens on one side
and light-sensitive
film on the other.

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TYPES OF CAMERAS
Box Camera
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TYPES OF CAMERAS
View Cameras
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TYPES OF CAMERAS
Range Finder Camera
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TYPES OF CAMERAS
Point and Shoot Camera

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TYPES OF CAMERAS
Polaroid Camera
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TYPES OF CAMERAS
High- End Lens Cameras
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o Single Lens Reflex Camera (SLR)
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TYPES OF CAMERAS
Digital Camera
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Camera = Eye
The phenomenon of the
working of the eye is very
similar to that of a camera. The
human visual system (HVS) is
as complicated as the working
of a camera.
Whatever we see, is the result
of the message sent through
the eyes to the brain. The brain
interprets the signals sent from
eyes to it hence allowing us to
see what is in front of us.
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PHOTOJOURNALISM
Subset of EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Particular form of JOURNALISM
(collecting, editing, and presenting of
news material for publication or
broadcast) that creates images in order
to tell a news story. (Rivera,2007)
An ART concerned with the taking of
pictures for newspapers or magazines
publication.
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Combination of
photographs and words.
The world that pictures
portray is just too complex
to be presented by one
medium.

Working Definition
Telling a STORY WITH A
PICTURE
Reporting with a CAMERA
To Record in a MOMENT
OF TIME (Peralta,2008)

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Photojournalism is distinguished from other close
branches of photography (e.g., documentary
photography, street photography or celebrity
photography) considering the qualities of:

Timeliness- images has meaning in the context of a
recently published events.

Objectivity- situation implied by the images is a fair and
accurate representation of the events they depict in both
content and tone

Narrative- images combined with other news elements to
make facts relatable to the viewer and render on a cultural
level. (Orbeta,2008)
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
Exposure Basics

Exposure is the amount of light that strikes the
film. It is the key to good photo. It is the amount of
light collected by the sensor in your camera during
a single picture.

If the shot is exposed too long, the photo will be
washed out. If the shot is exposed too short, the
photograph will appear too dark.
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
Basic controls for Camera
Exposure

Shutter Speed
The amount of the time the lens
is exposed to light

Aperture
The size of lens opening that
allows light into the camera
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
3 Basic Shots







Tight Shot


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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM








Medium Shot

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM








Full Shot

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
3 Basic Angles








Low Angle
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM









Medium Angle 24


BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM









Top Angle 25
BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
5 Basic Elements (Usually in Photo Essay)









Establishing Shots
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM










Portrait
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM










Emotions

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM









Activities
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM










Ending Shots
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
10 Basic Elements a Photojournalist
Needs To Consider:
1. Rule of Third

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
2. Linear Perspective

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
3. Framing

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
4. Silhouette


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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
5. Decisive Moments

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
6. Selective Focus

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
7. Dominant Foreground & Contributing
Background

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
8. Reflection

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
9. Panning


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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
10. Lighting as a Creative Device

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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
Importance of Pictures

They bring us closer to an event otherwise seen only by a
news photographer or news writer.
They are more truthful than the printed words although it
may be faked or distorted.
They help us feel that those we read are real persons like
presidents, VIPs and royalties.
They help increase human interest in feature stories.
They help to enhance the makeup of publication by giving
it variety and vitality
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
Must in
Photojournalism

Attracts attention
Illustrates a point
Tells story
Own techniques
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BASICS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM
Functions of a
Photograph

To attract attention
To illustrate a point in a story
To tell story itself through
the aid of a caption
To tell story in sequence with
other illustration
To give visual relief to the
design or make-up of a story
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QUALITIES OF A GOOD PHOTO
(EDITORIALS POINT OF VIEW)
Prominence
Newsmakers are always good
subjects for photos.
Paparazzi thrive because of this
quality.

Action
Action speaks louder than words.
Click your camera when there is
action.

Human Interest
Covers many aspects in some
unguarded moments.
Pictures of emotions you can
relate to.
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QUALITIES OF A GOOD PHOTO
(EDITORIALS POINT OF VIEW)
Drama
Pictures of fires, accidents; victims of earthquakes or
typhoon belongs to this category.

Timeliness
Immediacy enhances the value of picture. (Naz)
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QUALITIES OF AN EXCELLENT PHOTO
(TECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW)
Detail
Calls for the inclusion of the
specific that would make up a
complete photo.
Sharpness
Hooks the mood of the picture.
(Outline, Color and Tint)
Composition
Refers to the arrangement of
the subjects in a photograph.
Message
Photograph must tell a story
even without a caption. (Naz)
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IMPROVING A PHOTOGRAPH
Cropping
Cutting away of portions
that are not needed.

Retouching
Eliminating undesirable
background.
Improves the color of your
photo.

Bleeding
Improve or make up of a
page. (Naz)
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WRITING A CUTLINE
A cutline or caption is a
need in photojournalism.
It is an ART. It should be
BRIEF. It needs to be
STRAIGHT TO THE
POINT. And should not
REPEAT THE OBVIOUS.

People in the picture needs
to be identified.

Photos are not condenser
but are supplemental. (Naz)
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WHAT SHOULD BE DONE BY A
PHOTOJOURNALIST BEFORE THE COMPETITION

Scan the place
Check the Camera
Load the film or the
memory card properly
Practice. Practice.
Practice.
Imagine the rule of third
when framing
Read and read to enhance
the captioning skills
Prepare a shot-list
(Peralta)
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REMINDERS IN TAKING A GOOD PHOTO
C - Clear Focusing
H - Horizontal or Vertical Angle
A - Action Picture
R - Relevant
I - Imagination
S - Subject
M - Meaning
A - Attractive Art
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Thanks!

And
Enjoy the
World of
Photos
PATIENCE IS BITTER BUT ITS
FRUIT IS SWEET (DR. IBO)
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RULES OF THE CONTEST
A student must use a set of DIGITAL CAMERA
having 10-12 MEGA PIXELS with their OWN
MEMORY CARD ONLY.
SLR or High End Lens Camera or any other type of
camera is strictly prohibited.
No CAPTION is required.
Students are given a maximum of 1 hour to have their
photo shoot inside the venue ONLY
Students are requested to give their memory card to
the organizers containing only 3 best shots.

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SUBJECT OF THE CONTEST

A photo that depicts the promotion of
Digital Literacy containing one or more
Element/s in Photojournalism.
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DIGITAL CAMERA
is a camera that takes video or still photographs,
or both, digitally by recording images via
an electronic image sensor. It is the main device
used in the field of digital photography. Most 21st
century cameras are digital
Digital cameras can do things film cameras
cannot: displaying images on a screen
immediately after they are recorded, storing
thousands of images on a single small memory
device, and deleting images to free storage space.
The majority, including most compact cameras,
can record moving video with sound as well as
still photographs.
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DIGITAL CAMERA

The optical system
works the same as
in film cameras,
typically using a
lens with a variable
diaphragm to focus
light onto an image
pickup device.
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DIGITAL CAMERA
The diaphragm and shutter admit the
correct amount of light to the imager,
just as with film but the image pickup
device is electronic rather than
chemical. Most digicams, apart from
camera phones and a few specialized
types, have a standard tripod screw.

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MEMORY CARD (FLASH CARD)
is an electronic flash memory data storage
device used for storing digital information.
They are commonly used in many electronic
devices, including digital cameras, mobile
phones, laptop computers and MP3 players.
They are small, re-recordable, and able to
retain data without power.
Most convenient electronic device for storing
photos taken from a digital camera.
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HANDLING A DIGITAL CAMERA
One of the common problems that
many new digital (and film)
photographers have is camera shake
where images seem blurry usually
because the camera was not held still
enough while the shutter was
depressed.
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HANDLING A DIGITAL CAMERA TECHNIQUES
1. Use your right hand to grip the right hand end of
the camera. Your forefinger should sit lightly above
the shutter release, your other three fingers curling
around the front of the camera. Your right thumb
grips onto the back of the camera. Most cameras
these days have some sort of grip and even
impressions for where fingers should go so this
should feel natural. Use a strong grip with your right
hand but dont grip it so tightly that you end up
shaking the camera. (keep in mind our previous post
on shutter technique squeeze the shutter dont jab
at it).

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HANDLING A DIGITAL CAMERA TECHNIQUES
2. The positioning of your left hand will depend
upon your camera but in in general it should support
the weight of the camera and will either sit
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HANDLING A DIGITAL CAMERA TECHNIQUES
3. If youre shooting using the view finder to
line up your shot youll have the camera nice
and close into your body which will add extra
stability but if youre using the LCD make
sure you dont hold your camera too far away
from you. Tuck your elbows into your sides
and lean the camera out a little from your face
(around 30cm). Alternatively use the
viewfinder if its not too small or difficult to
see through (a problem on many point and
shoots these days).

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HANDLING A DIGITAL CAMERA TECHNIQUES

4. Add extra stability by leaning against a
solid object like a wall or a tree or by sitting
or kneeling down. If you have to stand and
dont have anything to lean on for extra
support put your feet shoulder width apart to
give yourself a steady stance. The stiller you
can keep your body the stiller the camera will
be

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HANDLING A DIGITAL CAMERA TECHNIQUES
Bonus Tip:

Before you take your shot take a gentle but deep breath, hold it,
then take the shot and exhale. The other method people use is
the exact opposite exhale and before inhaling again take the
shot. Its amazing how much a body rises and falls simply by
breathing being conscious of it can give you an edge.

Of course each person will have their own little techniques that
they are more comfortable with and ultimately you need to find
what works best for you but in the early days of familiarizing
yourself with your new digital camera its worth considering
your technique.

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