Community Photojournalism lecture

-Carol Guzy

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So where do we begin?
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They can help you remember..... honor

They can share something witnessed... beauty

So how do we do this?

Not everything is car on fire.

As student journalists a lot of your work will be in the controlled atmosphere of your school, you are likely to know your subjects and they are likely to be uncooperative in that they will horse around.

Be patient.

Remember it is more important to tell a storing in a compelling way than it is to simply take a picture or write what someone tells you to write.

A moment is much more interesting than a set-up.

There is nothing wrong with the picture above, but that's one for your wall or refrigerator or some future social media story memory. Only the people in this photograph and their friends and family will care.

But this is a story to tell. Something people can relate to and be interested in reading what is going on.

or this.

Remember life isn't happening because of cameras, cameras were invented because life is happening.
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​So show life!

So some nuts and bolts:
What makes a good compelling storytelling photograph?

Try to document life as it is being played out. Don’t set anything up. Never ask someone to do something again. Make the best photograph that you can that is real not staged, controlled or posed.

You will miss more than you get. That's photojournalism.

• Subject matter should fill your frame. 
• Get closer, layer pertinent information. 
• Don’t do mug shots or group pictures unless you have no other option and if that is the case then don’t put them against a wall. Photograph them in the environment where the story is taking place. 
• Use angles, shoot from different perspectives remember - everyone already sees things from “relative” eye level. 
• Layer information. Layer information layer information, shoot moments don’t pose, have I mentioned layering information?
• Take note of things said,
• Your ears and curiosity are as important as your eyes. 
• Shoot for content, but have fun showing that content in interesting ways.
• ​Listen to others who have good story ideas, but then make it your own.
  

A few things to learn that help:

• Ask questions
• Research photojournalism
• Look at photojournalists - ask how they made the photo
• Know the ability of your equipment
• Research how to get the most out of your equipment
• ​Shoot, shoot, shoot
• If you use a fancy camera then learn the basics. ISO, aperture and shutter speed and how they work.
• Wear sunscreen
  

Always jump in headfirst on your assignments.

Remember to breathe, step back and reassess if its not going well

Don't snap to judgement - listen and tell their story

Reflect on your work and learn from it

If you need to - ask for help in anyway you can

Don't get a big head - your next assignment will humble you - I promise

Protect yourself some assignments are dangerous to self and equipment

Don't be snooty with others, learn from everyone

Bear with me I'm almost done

Don't crash and burn out - if somethings not working try something else

Sit down if you need to and maybe you'll see things differently

Fly

Most important - have fun

Oh ... and wear sunscreen.