Practical Guide to Photojournalism

A PRACTICAL VIEW ON
PHOTOJOURNALISM
BRIEF DISCRIPTION
Stories can either be reported
in words or with the aid of
photographs. In fact, the
presence of a well taken
photograph in any news story
cannot be over emphasised,
as it tends to give credibility to
the story and also helps tell
the story better than words as
it depicts the full mood of
such event.
A.J. ASEGIEMHE

A Practical View on Photojournalism
Article by – A.J. Asegiemhe
Developed on April 2020
1
TABLE OF CONENTS
1. PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTOJOURNALISM; An Overview
1.1. Photojourlism and Photojourlist
1.2. Imporance of Photojournalism and Photograhy
1.3. Attributes/Traits of a Good News Photographs
2. SOURCES OF PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS
2.1. Objectives of Photography and Photojournalism
2.2. Captions/Cutlines
2.3. How to Write Photographic Captions
3. THE CAMERA
3.1. Types of Camera
3.2. The Camera Parts
3.3. Camera Shots
4. CONCEPT OF PHOTOCROPPING
4.1. Methods of Photocropping
4.2. How to Crop a Photograph
5. Bilography

2
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Asekhamhe Asegiemhe who is popularly known as Johnchaste,
hails from Agenebode town in Edo State. He has a Diploma in Mass
Communication from the prestigeous Federal Poytechnic Auchi. He is
an avid reader who shows much interest in different areas/field of
study particularly History, Political Science, Literature, Philosophy,
Psycology, Sociology, Administration, International Relations and
even Theology. He has written numerous articles relating to journalism and other Social science and Art
courses namely; Chronicles and Birth of a New Nation, An Introductory Approach to The Operations of
the Mass Media in Relations to its Society, Advertsing Communication In Modern Journalism, Mass
Media and the Nigerian Laws, An Aspect of News Writing, An Introduction on the Concept of Ethics in
Journalism, Geography of Nigeria, A Critical Guide to Graphics Communication, A Moderm Approach to
Marketing Communication, A Practical View on Photojournalism, An Analytical Guide to Print Production
In Journalism, Poems, other unpublished stories and numerious motivational and inspirational quotes
with a populary one; “Hewhocontributesarecognisedideatohumanknowledgelivesasan
institution and one who dies as an institution lives a thousand years, but he who dies as
an ordinary manlivedonly once”.
He won the Mr. Talented of Mass Communication 2017/2018 Auchi Polytechnic during the departmental
day celebration 2017, he is currently the Secretary Genenral of ADOSTA (Army Day Old Student
Association) 195 Battalion Agenebode Chapter, he was the Deputy Chief Editor of the Poly-Watch
Newspapers 2018 edition , and also held the position of a class rep. during the period of 2016/2017 and
2017/2018 academic session. He is also the proprietor of Johnchaste Tutorials (JCT)) Auchi Chapter.
He has passion for teaching and has taught in both primary and secondary schools respectivey, even in
the polytechnic were he is currently a tutor for the National Diploma (ND) Mass Communication students.
When he is not reading/writing and researching, he is either sleeping or charting wih friends.

3
Affiliate I
PHOTOGRAPHY AND PHOTOJOURNALISM
Photography is the art of takng photographs or pictures for either memory purpose of
for special ocassion.
Accoding to Akinfeleye (1987) as cited by Orhewere (2004) photography is the
process or technique of producing images that mirror reality.
According to Marriam Webster as cited by Okoro and Nnadiukwu (2000); photography
as ‘the art or process of producing images on sensitized surfaces by the action of light’
According to Obaze (2004) as cited by Lucky I. Ojo (2017); photography is not all
technical but must also captures the emotional response of subjecs.
In the words of the writer of this artice, given in a nutshell, ‘photography is the art that
helps record images which reflects the mood and reality, to describ an event using the
rays of light’.
We can start asking ourselves the basic question of how does the field of journalism
has connection with photography and are journalist required to have a knowledge of it
since ‘photography and journalism’ are two different profession respectively.
In answering such a question, this will take us to the part of first answering; who is a
photojournalist? It is after answering this question we can now know the reason the
two professional fields are coming together to achieve a goal, what goal? ‘ the act of
telling stories with pictures; ‘picturials’.
1.1.0. Photojournalist
Photojournalist is one who is first a photograher and then a trained journalist. He is the
one who has the skills to take newsworthy picures to reflect an event such a story is
reporting. He is also responsible in the selection of press photographs and determines
the one suitable to assist a particular story.
1.1. Photojournalism
This is the act of using photograghs to tell or assist a story in a medium to enhance
effective understanding.
According to Lucky I. Ojo (2017, p5); ‘it derives its name from the combination of two
Greek words, ‘photos’ (which means light) and ‘graphos’ (which means drawing or
writing) and the French word ‘journal’ (which means newsbook or diary). This
combination produces the word photojourlism which is the visual representation of the
events of each day using the camera as it reporting/writing tool.

4
It is the use of photographs in the narration, description, explainantion or llustration of
what has happened, is happening or about to happen’.
In a nutshell, photojournalism is the act of picturial, taking pictures that are credible
enough to assist a story in creating a better visual understanding.
1.2. Imporance of Photojournalism and Photograhy
a) It gives crediblity to a news story
b) It breaks the barrier of illitracy
c) It cut across boundaries of nations thereby creating a universal interpreation
and language.
d) It breaks linguistic barrier
e) It helps the reader to know the actaul mood of the event
f) It creates a rational or an emotional touch on the readers
g) It gives artistic pleasure of nature
1.3. Attributes/Traits of a Good News Photographs
a) It must reflects the mood of the event its reporting
b) It must help tell a story better than mere words
c) It must not be too clustered else, it can distort the readers understanding
d) It must be able to depict a unversal interpretation
e) It must be able to arrest the attention of the readers
f) It must be accurately captioned with the compostion of the 5ws and H

5
Affiliate II
SOURCES OF PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS
There are various ways one can get press photographs for usage. The followings are
some of them;
1. The Photojournalist
2. The Freelance Photojournalist
3. The Armature Photojournalist
4. The Morgue
5. News Agencies
6. Museum
7. Art Galleries
8. The Internent
• The Photojournalist: this is the major or main source of press photographs
and most reliable at that because, he is mostly concern with the selection of
pictures that will suit a story. The photojournalist on a dialy basis go out to get
newsworthy pictures or photographs alongside with the reporters who are
covering such event in the field of reporting.
• Freelance Photojournalist: this is one who is not employed by any media
organization but goes around covering event and taking pictures which he in
turn sell to any meida organization who shows interest for some amount of
money. He can be contacted if the need arise for an event to get the images of
a story he has covered.
• The Armature Photojournalist: though a trainee or rookie, but in all nonsense
there is a sense i.e, in all shorts taken by such individual, there can be one that
has been taken well thereby depicting the mood of the event which can be used
to help tell a story better.
• The Morgue: this is a library where past and present news information are kept
for reference purpose the reference purpose might arise when the need for an
old or recent photograph of a person or a paticular event is to be used for news
or any other thing relating to reporting or tie-back.
• News Agencies: they are organizations that a media house can rely on for
both stories and pictures. A media house is just required to subscrib and get
news update from these agencies.
• Museum: this is like a library but it contains historical records of artifacts,
drawings, pictures, and other cultural items or materials are kept there for
generational review.

6
• Art Galleries: this is a building own by an artist, where all or most of his art
work are kept for visual display. A photojournalist or an art correspondent can
go there and seek permission to take some pictures of some arts works if such
need arises.
• The Internet: this is one main source for any photojournalist. The internet have
unlimited access to different event happening across the world once you have
data to access them. Events with their pictures and most times even with videos
are made available for public viewers and readers.
2.1. Objectives of Photography and Photojournalism
The followings are some of the purpose why we study this course, thus;
i. To be able to know and tell a picture that communicate an event
ii. To know how to use images, pictures and drawings for communication
iii. To know the photographic process of reportorials
iv. To know how to operate with skilful use of the camera
v. To know how to select a picture suitable for a story telling
vi. To be able to differentiate normal photography and photojournalism
vii. To know how to crop a picture to fit into the available or alocated space
viii. The know how to accurately caption a picture and its relationship with the
story
2.2. Captions and Cutlines
Caption according to Orhewere (2004, p77); ‘’a cutline or caption gives meaning to the
contents of a photograph. It passes information to the reader. It also introduce the
action and personality or personalities in the photograph’’.
In the words of Martin Keene, (1993) as cited by Lucky I. Ojo (2017); ‘a caption is a
piece of text which accompanies a picture. It may be several photographs in length or
as little as three or four words’.
In the view of the author of this article given in a nutshell, ‘a caption/cutline is a
descriptive words written underneath a photograph to give a clear illustrations about
the picture and its relationship with the story it assist if any, for better understanding
and identification’.
Captions are also known as cutlines, overlines, underlines, legends, etc. they tend to
play a very salient role in any medium. Among which can be;
a. To give description about the event the photograph portrails
b. To give identification on the persons or personalities it captures
c. To give crediblity to the story it assist as it reflect the mood of the event
d. To give a better visual understanding to the readers
e. To give illustrations on the occasion of the event

7
2.3. Writing the Photographic Caption
The following ways are what any reporter should be aware of when writing a caption,
according to Lucky I. Ojo (2017);
1. Make your point in the first line of the caption
2. Endeavor to answer the question of the 5ws and H
3. Always date you caption
4. Write in the present tense in line with journalistic requirement
5. Provide a full identification of every person appearing in the picture
6. Do no editorialize but rather use specifics
7. Use from ‘’left’’ rather than from ‘’right to left’’. And avoid monotony of ‘’left’’ or
rather by identifying them by their clothes, e.g, ‘in cap’or ‘in suit’.
8. The mood of the caption should match the mood of the picture
9. The caption should credit the source of the picture
10.Your caption should be short, factual, clear, and accurate

8
Affiliate III
THE CAMERA
According to Okpala (1999) as cited by Lucky I. Ojo (2017, p31); states that ‘’a camera
is a device for making a record of the image of an object formed when rays of light
passing through the lens are brought to focus on a flat surface’’.
In the view of the author of this article given in a nushell, ‘a camera is a box with a film
inside that allows the admittance of light rays when the shutter is open to record the
image of an object in focus’.
3.1. Types of Camera
There are different types of camera built according to their functions and
specialization. Some are specially used outdoor for nature and other event, some are
also used under water, etc. it all depends on the purpose for which it was made. For
the sake of J.C.T, we are going to look at the early camera and their development till
today.
The View Camera
‘’The view camera is an old fashioned camera used by the early photographers. It was
designed essentially for professional photography. It is very flexable hence, the front
and back panels can be made to shift, rise and fall, tilt and swing making possible
infinite corrections to the image. It consist of a rail with two adjustable supports that
are connected to the bellows, and a viewing screen-film holder housing. The view
camera is delivered from parallax error problems’’, Lucky I. Ojo, (2017, p36).
The Pin-Hole Camera
The pin-hole camera has a black interior and was the first of its kind, having a film
inside for the recording of images and the clearity of the image depends solely on how
small the size of the hole is. With this, it allows the admittance of light raws, and the
amount of this light is usually measured by the flap which cults immediately enough
light to form an image has been admitted into it.
The Box Camera
The box camera is said to be the upgraded version of the pin-hole camera. But here,
the position of the hole is covered with a lens to enable easy control of light while the
shutter serve the place of the flap to cut the light once enough had been admitted
therein.

9
Though the lens are not adjustable in an attempt to change the condition of light and
it may not be able to capture object that are close and also moving objects or objects
in motion.
The Singe Lens Reflex Camera
It is arguably said that of all camera that have been designed, the single lens reflex
camera is most developed suitable for advanced work in photography. When the
shutter is tripped to film an image, the mirror will open up to allow the recording. It has
interchangeable lenses and can remove parallax error.
On like the box camera, it can critically focus on object at close distance. Yet, I is very
easy to handle and operate but at the same time be complex in terms of reliability, it
can be liable to break down at any time and also loss images if not mounted on a
tripod.
The Twin-lens Reflex Camera
The Twin-lens reflex camera has two lenses mounted on a moveable pane, though
couped together but placed on top the other. Though, the both lens has the same focal
length but they are not interchangeable. It is very easy to handle and operate but bulky
in size because of its shape.
3.2. Camera Parts
The camera body is made up of many parts which helps in the functioning process.
Without these parts, the camera cannot function well, in fact it is these parts that make
the camera.
There are numerous parts of camera according to their different functions. For the
sake of J.CT, we are going to look at seven different and most important parts of a
camera. They are thus;
The Lens
According to Oduh (1999) as cited by Lucky Ojo (2017); it is ‘’the most important part
of a camera that picks up the image to be photograhed with the aid of light’’. A variety
of lenses exist for the camera which are; Normal angle lens, Wide angle lens, Narrow
angle lens, Telephoto lens and Zoom lens.

10
The Shutter
It is a part of a camera which is located in the front of the film, if pressed allows the
admittance of light rays to form an image for recording and simultaneously covers the
exposure once enough light has been admitted in it.
Focusing Control
It is a part of a camera which moves the lens forth and back to make a clear image on
the film. It also helps the camera produce a clear record of objects both at close or far
distance.
The Viewing System
It is the part of a camera which allows the photographer to see the object to be
captured or recoreded. It can be said to be a glass window through which a
photographer pip through for a better focus and view.
The Magnifier Lense
This part of the camera is optional in usage because it is mainly used to capture or
view object that are not clear enough to be captured. The magnifier will serve to blow
off any distraction in other to get a clear and sharp image.
‘’This is the second lens in front of a camera. It opens directly to the film at the back of
the camera. When the camera is cliched by pressing the shutter release, the shutter
opens in response thereby exposing the film to light through taking lens thus
registering the image of the subject aimed at on the film’’ Lucky I. Ojo (2017, p41).
The Film Advance Lever
This is the part of a camera that moves the exposed film away from the film measure
and bring up a fresh film frame into position. It opens the camera so that a new image
can be taken.
3.3. Camera Shorts
There are basically three types of camera shorts which are;
i. Aware
ii. Semi-aware and
iii. Candid

11
• Aware: just as the name suggest, the person or persons to be photograph are
fully aware of this process, thereby creating a set-up, posture and a smile or
smiling wave to the camera. The awareness makes the subjects to be
photograph to prepare very well as prefered before the recording and of course
the capturing begins.
• Semi-aware: the subject is not fully aware of the capturing process but he/she
is aware of the presence of a photographer around the occasion.
The subject might see the photographer capturing the scene but he/she is not
prepared with body posture on this process. This is the case of paparazzi’s, in a
conference hall, on an unplanned interview like the one taking place before or after
a court trial, sport event, church programme, picnic, etc.
• Candid: this process involves taking a short from the real scene without the
preparation, planning, awareness and consent of the captured subject. In fact,
the person being captured is totally unaware if there was a photographer
around and also if he is being photographed.
This can be in the case of an investigation, surprise picture, secret service, on a
public transport/function, etc. Though, this process is considered the best because
it tells the real mood of the person at that point in time and what he/she was doing
at that moment.

12
Affiliate IV
CONCEPT OF PHOTO CROPPING
‘’Photo cropping is known by several names such as photo editing, photo scaling,
photo reproduction, photo copyfitting and even proportioning. It is an activity intended
to make the best use of a photograph. It is meant to remove both mechanical and
qualitative errors such as spodges, creases, faulty backgraound’’ (Orhewere 2004).
4.1. Methods of Photo Cropping
There are six methods of photo cropping. But two are the most used or popular par
say. These are;
i. Mathematical Method and
ii. Diagona line Method
But for the sake of J.C.T, we are going to look analytically on the mathematical method
of photo cropping.
In caculating this, one must be aware of the four elements which are salient in other
to arrive at an accurate caculation. These are;
a. Width of Picture also called Photo width (the wideness of the picture)
b. Depth of Picture also called Photo depth (the length of the picture)
c. Width of Plate and
d. Depth of Plate
These element to create easy caculations are thus, represented as the following
formular;
Width of Pix Width of plate or Engraving width
Depth of Pix Depth of plate Engraving depth
Example 1:
You are given the scaling depth of 6, picture width as 9 and picture depth as 5, find
the width of the plate (engraving width).
9
6 5
X

13
First Step is to identify the gieven dimentions, which are;
Photo Width - - Engraving Width
Photo Depth - - Engraving Depth
Second Step is to identify the given value of the given dimentions
Pw = 9 Ew = X
Pd = 6 Ed = 5
Third Step is to substitute the given formular into numbers
9 * * X
6 * * 5
Forth Step is to cross multiply both sides
9 X
6 5 = 6x = 9/5 = 6x/45
Fith Step is to find the value of X by division
6x = 45 = x 45/6 = 7.5inches
9
6 5
7.5inches

14
Example 2:
You are given a reproduced width of 16 and 6 depth, and the photo width is 7, find the
photo depth.
16
6 X
7
First Step; idenify the given dimentions, which are;
Photo width * * Reproduced width
Photo depth * * Reproduced Depth
Second Step; identfy the given values of the dimentions
Pw = 16 Rw = 7
Pd = X Rd = 6
Third Step; substitute the given formular into numbers
16 * * 7
X * * 6
Forth Step; cross multiply the values of both sides
16 7
X 6 = 7x 16/6 = 7x = 96
Fith Step; find the value of x
7x = 96 = x 96/7 = 13.7cm
16
6 13.7cm
7

15
BLIBLOGRAPHY
Abdulrasheed, Afolabi (2011). Graphic Communication in Nigeria. Lagos; Pioneer
printers ISBN: 978-978-912-418-3
Agba, P.C. and Okoro, N. (1995). Fundamentals of Graphic Communication. Enugu;
Acana Publishers
Ojo, I. Lucky (2017). Introduction to Photography and Photojournalism. Benin City;
Allen Publications.
Ogunboyowa, O. Adebola (2017). General Objectives of Graphics on Print and
Broadcast Media. A lecture note delivered to the National Diploma (ND) One
Student of Mass Communication. Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.
Ogunboyowa, O. Adebola (2017). How to Ensure Effective Graphic Commnication. A
lecture note delivered to the National Diploma (ND) One Student of Mass
Communication. Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi.
Okoro, N. M. and Nnadiukwu, I. (2000). Perspectives of Photography and
Photojournalism. Nsukka: Prize Publishers.
Stovall, J. G. (2005). Journalism: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How: Boston;
Pearson.

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