Chapter 3: General News Flashcards
What should a photojournalist do for political news?
- Know what the politician wants from a “photo-op”
- Dig deeper to find why this photo-op was arranged
- Look beyond the handshakes, speeches, and basic greetings
- Capture the “real person” behind the politician
- Look for leaks of their genuine personality in actions
- Go further than what is handed to you
What are some strategies for capturing general news?
Fly on the wall approach
- Be unobtrusive and avoid contact
- Do not talk about what you have heard
Carry the correct gear for the job
- No strobes, compensate with better low light equipment
- No equipment that will make noise
Sell yourself to your subject
- Explain what kind of pictures you will be taking
- More importantly explain what kind of pictures you will not be capturing
What are some general meetings?
Meetings have the same news value as fires and accidents
-Most meeting content has more of a direct impact to the reader than a fire or accident
Be creative with your shots
- Watch facial expressions and capture true reactions
- Watch hand placement and movement
Take advantage of the use of props
-This can allow the photo speak more than the caption
How can you ensure accuracy?
- When capturing or submitting a photo be sure it is accurate to the story
- Do not mislead the readers with an unrelated photograph
- The goal is to reveal the truth and not promote an personal or professional agenda
- Know who the players are at the meeting you are assigned.
- Preparation will make or break you in political photography
How do you photograph the issues ethically?
If an issue is raised in a meeting or press release think of visual examples and go where you need to capture those moments
Show both sides of the story at hand
Do not distort the story with your photography
-Use correct lenses, angles, and lighting
How do you dig deeper into a story?
- Get the required and expected photographs for your editors
- Go deeper in the story and find examples that emphasize the issue at hand
- Don’t give into the typical PR photographs
- Get to an event early and stay late
- Most of the interesting photography comes before and after an actual event
How do you shoot event photography?
- Look beyond the stage-managed elements of an event
- Find a reason the event is being held
- Look for reactions at the event from the crowd or coordinators at the event
- Shoot why an award is given
- Follow up on what an awarded action is doing now
