Photojournalism is one of the most sought-after professions in the field of mass media. Photo reports about events are needed by newspapers, glossy magazines, and online publications. Photojournalism, like any business, needs to be learned. You can master this profession both in a higher educational institution and on your own.
The rapid development of photographic equipment has led to the fact that almost everyone now has the opportunity to shoot and share their pictures. But, trying to understand the materials of any photo site, you will see that not all the pictures posted there are expressive enough to create a vivid impression of the event on the viewer. A photojournalist must be able to do just that. Looking at a photograph, a person should feel as if he himself has visited the place. This can and should be learned.
Perhaps the best place to start is with a local newspaper. Local publications are constantly experiencing a shortage of photographs, so you will have an opportunity to try your hand. Check with an editor and a pre-press specialist, and ask for an assignment. Ask about the requirements for plot and quality. At the event, take some photos of each episode. This is especially important if you are heading to a sporting event. A sports photojournalist sometimes has to take several hundred pictures in a row to select one for the newspaper.
Do I need to get a diploma? This question is often asked by beginners. If there is an opportunity, it is better to get a diploma, it will not be superfluous. Photojournalism is taught at some of the major universities. The faculty of journalism may have a department of newspaper technology, where you can get the specialty you need. There is such a department, for example, at the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University.
Workshops, courses and seminars are held for aspiring photojournalists. There are quite a few of them, but you need to choose with caution. Such classes are usually not cheap, and at the same time, there is a high probability of stumbling, if not a swindler, but a person who knows little. But such master classes are conducted, for example, by photojournalists of reputable publications. Take the time to look through the large glossy magazines, reputable newspapers and well-established Internet portals. See whose pictures they are posting. If a master class is conducted by one of these masters, feel free to sign up and do not spare money. Learning from a true master of his craft will certainly pay off.
Think about which genre of photojournalism you would like to do. This can be news, reportage or documentary photojournalism. If you are more interested in the latest news, learn to look for events on your own that can be interesting to tell others. A photo reportage is several pictures from the same event, and what is happening should be revealed from different sides. Documentary photojournalism is similar to reportage, but covers a longer period of time.
On social media you will find professional communities of photojournalists working in different genres of this art. Join the one that you like best, see what pictures the participants post, what the discussants pay attention to. Upload a few of your shots. If they are criticized, do not be offended, but try to understand which comments you agree with and which you do not accept. Learn to be critical of your work. By the way, in the communities you can also make useful contacts with people who will help you get a job in the online edition.
Master several imaging and prepress programs. Many news outlets value originals, but the print shop has certain requirements so that processing skills will not be superfluous.
