This document provides an overview of photojournalism, including its definition as using visual language to convey honest reports through photographs. It discusses the difference between photography and photojournalism, with photojournalists focusing on capturing verbs or actions. The rest of the document outlines important technical and compositional considerations for photojournalism, such as proper focus, balance, and capturing moments. It also discusses elements like lines, shapes, perspective, lighting, and framing that photojournalists should consider in their work.

1. The Language of
Photojournalism
Presented by:
Rupert Roniel T. Laxamana III

2. Photojournalism
Photojournalism: Defined as a Medium of
Communication that uses a Universal Visual
Language to convey facts and information in an
honest visual report of what happened right in front
of the lens.

3. "So, what's the difference between
photography and photojournalism?“
"Verbs!"
Although photojournalists can take properly
exposed and well composed photographs all
day long, they hunt verbs. They hunt them,
shoot them and show them to their readers.
Then, they hunt more.
What is a
photojournalist?

4. Criteria for Good Pictures
Technical
Consideration
Composition
Consideration

5. Technical Consideration
Proper Focus
Adequate Exposure
Correct Development
Effective lighting and contrast
Effective Printing
Proper Reproduction

6. Composition Consideration
Balance
Eye Movement
Effective Contrast
Proportion
Grouping
Cropping

7. Three Views
WORM’S EYE VIEW
MAN’S EYE VIEW
BIRD’S EYE VIEW

8. THE COMPOSITION
Capture a Moment (Look for an expression or
gesture or quality of light that elevates an
image beyond the ordinary.)
Try Different Angles (Think about how would
you normally photograph a scene. Then shoot
it in an entirely different way.
Get closer (Many photojournalists make the
mistake of not getting close enough to their
subjects. There are many advantages.

9. THE COMPOSITION
An emotive word to photojournalist on how to take a
subject using important elements.

15. LINE: Fundamental Element

16. Line: Fundamental Element

18. Line: Fundamental Element

19. Line: Fundamental Element

20. LINE
Vertical Line (suggests power, strength, rigidity,
height, and depth)
Horizontal Line (suggests calmness, passivity,
weight, finality, and distance)
Curve Line (suggests grace, beauty, love, and
nature)

21. Vertical Line

22. Horizontal Line

23. Curve Line

24. SHAPE
Circle, triangle, and rectangle are shapes that usually
represent three dimensional objects such as cylinder,
pyramid and sphere.

25. Shape

26. Shape

27. Shape

28. Shape

29. Shape

30. Shape

31. Tone
Created by Shapes revealed by Light. Tones of light and dark can make
surfaces seem to protrude or recede.

32. Focal Point
The main point of interest in the subject or the element that would
naturally draw the viewers eye.

33. Focal Point

36. Focal Point

37. Perspective
An Angle of the subject from a viewpoint, thus making the dimensions
closer to the eyes.

38. Perspective

40. Perspective

41. Angles
Center
Left
Right
(Plus the views)

42. Center Angle

43. Left Angle

44. Right Angle

45. Shots
Techniques applied on the actual size of the Subject inside the Frame.
Taking consideration if it’s Indoor and Outdoor.

46. Frame
Positioning of the subject
Using Vertical and Horizontal frame.
Technique: Fill the frame.
(Do not leave empty space
in or around the picture.)

48. Frame

49. Frame

50. Close Up
Giving emphasis on the important
message in the subject.

51. Close Up

52. Shoulder Shot
Taken from head to shoulder.

53. Bust Shot
Taken from head to lower bust.

54. Bust Shot

55. Waist Shot
Taken from head to waist.

56. Waist Shot

57. Waist Shot

58. Full Shot
Taken from head to feet.

59. Full Shot

60. Long Shot
Includes the foreground and background.

61. Long Shot

62. Long Shot

63. Eye Contact
In photos, it conveys involvement.

66. Eye Contact

67. Eye Contact

68. Eye Contact

69. Eye Contact

70. The Light
No Light, No Picture.
Sunlight has always been the key to photography.

71. The Light

72. The Light

73. The Light

74. The Light

75. Types of Lightings
NATURAL LIGHT
Light effected by the sunlight.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
Light effected by flashguns, flood lights, incandescent bulbs,
fluorescent bulbs, etc.

76. Cardinal Rule in
Photojournalism
THE RULE OF THIRD

77. Relationship of
the Background or
Foreground to the
main subject.
Definition:

86. 1. Basic Rules
(Go Against the Lights)
(Get Action)
(Get Closer)
2. Experiment Different Angles
3. No Man’s View
4. Put a FACE ALWAYS
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

87. 5. Avoid Wastes
6. 90% of the Subject should
dominate the picture
7. Apply drama
8. Put “life” always in the
picture
9. One Subject Only (unless
instructed by the judge)
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

88. 10. Use Framing
11. Capture a Unique Moment
12. Explore the Net
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER

89. APPEAL OF PICTURES
(Human Interest Angles)

90. STRUGGLE

110. FEAR

114. SYMPATHY

123. CHILDREN

138. ANIMALS

157. BEAUTY

184. SEXY

187. PLAY

193. HUMOR

198. ODDITY

214. REFERENCES
The Varsitarian
National Geographic
Scholastic Journalism

215. “Thank you for Listening.”