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PhotojournalismA guide
Agenda
• Day in the Life of a Photographer
• Regional challenges to photography
• Process of getting an image into a newspaper
• How to choose a photographer
• Sample successful briefs and shoots
• Criticism of PR photography
A day in the life of a photographer
Photojournalists
• The photojournalist
• Network of agencies around the world
• Photojournalism assignments versus commercial work
• Example of a photojournalist: Tina Hager
• Photojournalism: a visual documentation of history
• Regional photographers
The White House by Tina Hager
Regional challenges to photography
Regional challenges to photography
• Women
• Street photography
• Avoiding the cliches
• Quality of photographers
• Lack of outlets for good photography
• Budgets
How to choosea photographer
Choosing a photographer
• See a few photographers’ portfolios
• How to spot a good portfolio
• Choose an appropriate style / photographer
• Show the photographer any text to be published alongside the image
• Point out the images you like and try and explain why
Jack PiconeAward-winning photojournalist
Sample briefs
Wired MagazineNew York City
Portrait of Dr Omar Bin Suleiman, Former CEO of Dubai Internet City “A portrait in or around internet city is ideal. I understand he is usually
clothed in the standard arab dress. I've attached a few sample shots from your website -- Wired's photography is usually very poppy and well lit, a full body environment is ideal.
You will most likely not have alot of time with him but we are looking for that one great shot. Perhaps in front of the buldings with palm trees, environment visible OR within his office or an interesting setting.
The sample shots i've attached below is the type of punchy lighting i'm after.Also, wired is a conde nast magazine. our day rate is $*** for this shoot - assistant is $***and film/proc, rentals, etc will be arranged on your end.
Do you normally shoot negative or chrome? Let me know andi'll forward a separate email with shipping information, etc.Drop me a line to confirm you received this email - you can email meagain once you've spoke to *** so i know what day has been scheduled.”
New York TimesNew York City
The brief
• An image to go with an article on the commercialisation of Ramadan
• Article wrote about a nodding camel in Wafi shopping centre in Dubai
• Photo brief was loose, left to the photographer to find the shot
A Day In The Life…
• 21:30 :Viewing Desperate Housewives interrupted by a phone call from New York
• 21:45: Photographer sourced for the shot
• 10:00: Malls open
• 21:00: Photos sent to Blink
• 22:00: Photos sent to NYT for immediate publication.
• 09:00: Photo appears on homepage of www.newyorktimes.com
The Institutional InvestorNew York City
The Brief
Portrait of the Syrian Finance Minister, Mohammad Al Hussein
“Shoot as if you are shooting for Vanity Fair magazine. Although we are a magazine for Investors, we do not want dull corporate portraits. Please avoid the colour brown, computer monitors, shooting in an office, if possible shoot outside. Shoot a few different options, if you want to shoot anything wild and wacky, please cover yourself with a safe option.
Here is your contact in Syria: ****, who can help you set up your appointment with Mr Al Hussein.
Our deadline is November 5th, please FTP all images to us, fully captioned.”
24 Hours In The Life of The Catholic ChurchWorldwide
The BriefThe idea is to show the variety of Catholic life, starting with the life in monasteries, life in the church, pilgrimages, educational projects worldwide, hospitals, choirs, faith, social work, political work, in one word: the variety of christianity worldwide.
The set date for the shooting is April 12th, 2005
1. get in contact with the person or institution we will name you2. fill out the enclosed estimate for expenses and mail it to us3. photograph what you consider to give best the impression of the devotion
(and joy) of the persons you will meet during that day4. make persons you concentrate on sign a model release (we will prepare
one for you)5. every picture must be captioned with date, place, person (if the name is
known) and the time of the day6. please buy cd’s with the original sound if there are any available 7. CD’s with layout data ( preferably high res for a double page 42 x 21 cm,
300 dpi and 50 mb) or be on our ftp Friday morning (instructions will be sent)
8. mail the expenses (with scaned receipts) until April 30th
Criticism of PR imagery
Mike BealingPicture Director, Time Magazine
What makes a good shot?A good shot impels the reader to read the story. It draws the reader in. Makes them want to learn more.
Criticism of photos supplied by PR agencies?Too many PR's still put out lifeless, literal images: Computer companies place their CEO at a laptop in his office, candy manufacturers have their Chief Exec holding up a chocolate bar, Banks deliver photos of their Top Men sitting behind their desks. NO NO NO.
Dull, grey men in dull grey suits in dull grey offices sitting with dull grey computers should NEVER make a page. Be a little imaginative, have a little fun: If your man HAS to be with a computer, let him sit ON TOP of it- of take it out into a field, of a main street, or anywhere which is relevant to the industry. If you make chocolate, bury your CEO ina pile of it, drown him in a bath of it - ANYTHING. Take the head of a bank into a Bank Vault, or have him sitting as a Bank Teller. PR photogs have no excuses not to make photos interesting.
Tips for commissioning better photography?Wherever possible, read the story (if available), then tell the photographer what the story is. the UNDER BRIEF. If you've chosen the right photog, he/she will be able to illustrate the story in an interesting way. If it's a hard news story- make sure your photog has all the kit they need, all the backup they want. Then let them go. Don't interrupt them all day asking "how's it going". If it's going wrong they'll tell you- they always do! Make sure everyone's aware of the deadline. And share your vision of your lead photo.
Paul VelascoPicture Director, Gulf News
Tips for commissioning better photography:Give a thorough briefing of what is expected from the shoot. If possible give the photographer a rendering or story board of exact requirements. If possible send a company representative along with the photographer and they work in tandem.
Criticism of photos supplied by PR agencies:Big problems here. Most PR agencies or PR department are totally clueless about the format and protocol required when sending images. A rule of thumb is that the images should be about 8 megapixels compressed to about 1Mb in JPG format. All images should have captions. After sending the image/s contact the photo desk of the newspapers to ensure that they have received the pictures. Invest in a pro PR photographer and brief them well and the whole exercise will give a valuable return. Overall the submissions of PR images in Dubai is terrible, sub standard resulting in about a 90% non-use rate. Big improvement required here.
Tips on composition of photographyWe expect to receive iimages of a high quality. Study the publications you are sending images to and ensure that the quality of images are of the same standard if not better. Normally tight is right well composed, well thought out images are the ones we like to use. Avoid the cliches of people standing in rows, boring press conferences etc. Boring pictures implies boring event/ product or whatever is being marketed. be creative. Branding should be subtle as opposed to dominating an image which invariably spoils an image. Mention the brand in the caption. Big mistake often made by local PR agencies is to over brand their pictures. As a rule most editorial policies discourage the use of pictures that are overbranded. Quality thought provoking fun images do the job much more effectively. aware of the deadline. And share your vision of your lead photo.
The process of gettinga photograph intoa newspaper
Getting photography into print
• A strong photographic idea
• Shoot beyond the cliché
• Know your magazine/newspaper: what sort of imagery do they publish?
• Commission an appropriate photographer
• Submit images in a professional manner: high resolution image with caption
• Call to confirm paper has received image
