Photojournalism for reporters

Here's the first of two notebook dumps from last Thursday's NINA cross-training workshop. This material is from Vince Pierri, photographer and reporter for the Daily Herald. Vince offered photojournalism advice to reporters:

Reporters who also shoot photos have an advantage: They’ve already established rapport with their subjects, who then feel more comfortable during the photo shoot.

Advice he got from Pulitzer-winning photojournalist John White: If you’re being sent out to a spot-news situation, go to the bathroom first. You may have to spend a long time in a confined area roped off by police.

Shoot a lot of images, from many perspectives and focal lengths.

Turn off the flash. Digital cameras, even point-and-shoots, do well in low light. Natural light is far better than flash for news photos.

When possible, notice how the light is falling on your subject. For best results, the light source should be either behind you or off to one side. Avoid backlighting subjects unless you’re purposefully doing that for effect.

Change your shooting angle. Try shooting from low or high angle for a more interesting perspective.

Watch backgrounds. They should be clean. No light poles growing out of people’s heads, etc.

Ask a staff photographer to coach you. Go on a shoot with him/her, watch how they work and then look at the photos afterwards.

Learn Photoshop.

If you are multitasking – reporting, shooting, maybe even shooting video – the priority is on the visual. “If something is unfolding before you, you can’t miss it with your camera.”

Exception: You arrive at a fire scene where the fire is already out, and people are beginning to leave. You’ll need to interview people first, while you still can. The photo possibilities still will look the same a few minutes later.