The document outlines the essential roles and responsibilities in photojournalism, emphasizing the importance of preparation and storytelling through images. It provides tips for creating effective photo essays, including selecting a topic, doing research, and planning shots to evoke emotions. Legal and ethical considerations in photography, such as obtaining permission and accurately representing subjects, are also highlighted.

1. Photojournalism:
The Important Role of Pictures in
the News

2. Jargon
• Photo Editor
– The person in charge of the photography staff and
acts as a liaison between the other branches of the
paper that produce news.
• Staff Photographers
– The “shooters”; the ones who actually take
photographs for stories
– They also provide information regarding the photo
and upload photos to the paper.
• Photo Assignments
– Basically instructions to the photographer; where
they need to go, when, and why.

3. Key Points to Remember
• The photographer should think about the story
to determine what is expected/needed from the
photos.
• Be sure to get names of all people
photographed and any additional
information (score, location, date, scene,
etc.) as you take the pictures. This will make
caption writing so much easier!

4. Good Photographers…
• Are prepared. They bring everything they
need with them to each location.
• Get there early to plan shots and get the lay of
the room.
• Travel with a notebook to take down names of
individuals photographed, and any pertinent
information.
• Keep track of the Five W’s and H; this will help
you or the reporter write the story.

5. Choosing a Photo
• Once you’ve taken photos of the event or
subject, you must choose the ones you
want to appear in the story. This is
usually a collaborative effort—ask as
many others as you want (generally the
photo editor should have last say).

6. What makes a good photo?
• Pictures that have active people in them,
tell the story well and give meaning to the
story.
– Remember: some photos should be cropped
to get rid of unused space or unimportant
information.

7. Do you remember?
• Think back to our lesson on the elements
of photography. What are some of the
“rules of composition” we discussed?

8. Story Type: The Photo Essay
• A series of photos that show the
progression of a story in chronological
order. It can be composed of one
photographer’s pictures or several. It
tells the story in images, rather than
words.

9. Photo Essay Tips
• Find a topic you care about
• Whether you choose to document the
first month of a freshmen’s year, the
process of a school drama production, or
even a soccer game, make your topic
something in which you find interest.

10. • Do your research
• If you cover a drama production, talk
with the students involved, both actors
and crew; investigate the general interest
of the student body in seeing the show;
investigate the script and reasons for
doing this show. Talk to the director.

11. • Find the “real story”
• After youresearch, determine the angle
you want to take your story. Is the drama
production an effort to bring the student
body together? Is it featuring a freshmen
star?

12. • Create and use emotions
• Every dynamic story is built on a set of
core values and emotions that touch the
heart of its audience. Draw out the
emotions within the story and utilize
them in your shots. Do not manipulate
your audience’s emotions—use emotion
as a connecting point.

13. • Plan your shots
• Think about the type of shots that will
work best to tell your story. Try creating
a story board first, think of each shot like
a sentence in a one-paragraph story.
Start with 10 shots, each emphasizing a
different concept or emotion that can be
woven together to create the story.

14. • Remember: story telling takes practice
• You don’t have to be an incredible writer
to pull off a powerful photo essay. Know
how to take good pictures, be creative
and have a lot of heart. Focus on telling
the story with your pictures and you’ll do
well.

15. Example
• See a great example here:
• Mean Streets
• www.photoessasy.com

16. Permission is the Key!
• Don’t take photos that show private
information (a teacher’s home, for
example). Get permission.
• You may not advertise a product without
the person’s permission.
– You can’t use an athlete's image to promote
a product without their permission.

17. Legal Issues
• Young children
– Do not photograph children under the age of
18 without parent consent.
• Photographing Students
– All ILS students get a release. Make sure
they have given permission to be
photographed. If not, you may not use an
image of them.

18. Accurate Representation
• Be sure the photos you choose accurately
represent the people in them. Don’t use
the school valedictorian’s picture in an
article about cheating…unless you can
prove they have been cheating.

19. Online Images
• Generally, artists, writers, and films all
have publicity photos that can be used in
publications. Go to that
band/artist/movie’s website and use a
photo from there—with credit, of course.

20. Google Images
• Using the “Advanced Search” setting
located under the wheel…
• Go to “usage rights” (at the
bottom) and select “free to use
or share.”

21. Borrowed Photos
• Be sure to ask the person who took the
photo directly and give them credit for
having done so.
• Obtain permission to use the picture, and
credit it as such.

22. DIY
• Take your own photos as much as you
can! You’ll never get better if you don’t
practice!
• Shoot a lot of photos so you have many to
choose from. Chances are higher, then,
of getting a quality photo.