Photojournalism involves using photographs to tell a visual story or convey information to readers. It aims to capture viewers' attention through composed images and captions. A photojournalist is a storyteller who takes photos reflecting life, not art, working with editors to complete assignments. While travel and sharing work with large audiences are pros, photojournalists also face long hours, physical danger, and low initial pay. The purposes of photojournalism are to engage readers emotionally, serve as a watchdog on those in power, and provide a view of the world beyond most people's access. Effective photojournalists research topics, prepare equipment, build rapport with subjects, get close when photographing, and gather caption details.

1. Photojournalism:
Telling the Visual
Story

2. Definition
Journalism in which a story is presented
through photographs.

3. What is photojournalism, anyway?
It includes composing photographs to
catch viewer’s attention and have
meaning.
Also includes writing captions.

4. Photojournalist
• An individual who uses the images taken with
a camera to tell a story.
• A person who takes pictures is a photographer.
• There is a difference

5. Role of a Photojournalist
Be a storyteller
Take photos that reflect life not art or a
product (v. art/commercial photographers)
Work with editors, writers and designers to
complete assignments

6. Pros of being a Photojournalist
Travel
Meeting interesting people
Access to places most people don’t have
Share work with large audience
Fluid work schedule

7. Cons of being a Photojournalist
Unusual hours (holidays, nights and weekends)
Short notice for assignments
Working under deadline pressure
Physical danger (floods, fires, accidents)
See tragedy regularly
Lots of equipment
Low pay to start

8. Purposes of
Photojournalism

9. 1. To “sell”
Photos are the most viewed part of a
publication and help readers connect
visually to information.

10. 2. Provide Impact
A picture really is worth a thousand words
Photos help convey emotion

11. 3. Serve “watchdog” role of
journalism
Photojournalism helps readers know about
atrocities
Keeps big business/government in check

12. 4. View of the World
Photojournalism provides the average
person with a view of the world.
It takes them places they cannot go or do not
have access to.

13. 5. History
Photojournalism provides a historical record of
places, people and events.
Examples: opening of a new school,
presidential elections, etc.

14. Five ways a
photojournalist
accomplishes
storytelling

15. 1. Research
5 W’s and H
Photo assignment slips - talk with
writer/editor and those involved

16. 2. Be Prepared
Equipment - how much, which pieces
(lenses, light, card size, etc.)

17. 3. People Person
Make subjects feel comfortable
Spend at least 15 minutes with subject
Be seen with camera
Be comfortable talking to new people

18. 4. Assertive
Get close to subjects

19. 5. Gather Caption Info
5 W’s and H
Carry notebook

20. Photograph
From Greek
Photo = light, Graph = to draw
Photography = To draw with
light

21. Photograph
Light drawing or light writing was not
discovered at once or by a single person.
People had always looked for a way to get
pictures without the long and tedious work
of an artist.

22. Goal of Photojournalism
Selecting story telling
photographs that can
convey the fullest,
most accurate sense of
the situation
photographed

23. Goal of Photojournalism
Engage the heart and
mind of a viewer with
a compelling version of
truth that results from
bearing witness or a
situation or event.

24. Age of the Visual Journalist
Visually intense society raised on millions of
pictures.
Average of 5000 images a day in a variety of
forms.
Role of the photographer and writer are
changing.

25. Photojournalism
• Photojournalism is distinguished from
other branches of photography by the
qualities of:
1. Timeliness
2. Objectivity
3. Narrative

26. Photojournalism
Is…

27. …Universal
language,
understood
everywhere

28. … history. It
records events
and lasts for a
long time.

29. … science: It
involves
chemistry,
math, physics

30. … fun: hobby,
amusement,
time with
friends

31. … job:
Professional
photographers:
sports,
modeling,
weddings,
nature,
advertising,
news