Photojournalism 101: Getting started (Part one)

In 1997 I left Brisbane to live on an isolated cattle station in outback Queensland. Armed with an arts/journalism degree, I decided to try freelancing. I pitched rural and outback story ideas to newspaper and magazine editors. 

But to be published, I needed to provide quality images to go with the words.  While I’d always been a keen photographer and studied photography as part of my degree, when I arrived at the station, I was still primarily a writer. 

Over the next few years, without access to face-to-face training, I followed and learned from other photographers’ work, read greedily on the topic, studied powerful images to understand what it was that made them stand out and tried to keep up with the latest camera gear and changing technology. 

I didn’t leave the house without a camera and took countless photos every day.  I learned to search for a different approach and angles and to keep images simple.

Master your skills

Firstly, to make outstanding photos you need to know your camera. Hone your technical skills and learn how to setup your camera for different lighting conditions and movement. 

In my kit, I carry a 24-70mm for general shots, a 17-40mm for wide angle (I love this lens for environmental portraits and big picture scenarios), along with an 85mm and a 50mm for close ups and a 70-200mm zoom for practically anything else. In the car, I keep a small stool and step ladder, a monopod and a 5-in-1 collapsible light reflector.

Learn to tell a story

Successful photojournalists make images that tell powerful, succinct stories. Before diving in to shoot your subject, it’s important to consider the best way to capture the story you need to tell.

Think about the unfolding action and theme, the tone, the emotion and the context. Observe human interactions and behaviour, the cultural side and any issues or details you should highlight. 

To do the job well, find the most accurate, honest narrative.

On general shoots, you have time to prepare and play around with camera settings. But if the job is breaking, on the spot news, there’s no time to plan. You need to quickly take in the scene, identify the story and go for it.

Firstly, shoot the basics, then find unique angles, any behind the scenes shots and interesting ways to capture the unfolding action.

In fast-moving scenes, I like to use the camera’s semi-automatic settings like Aperture priority and Shutter priority. This allows me to work faster and focus on what’s unfolding rather than trying to adjust manual settings and potentially miss a crucial shot. 

Network, network, network

Quick decision-making skills, resilience, persistence and the ability to work under pressure is key in photojournalism. I’ve had good success with covering a local event and then pitching images to local media outlets.

In time, this can help you gain exposure, credibility and find open doors to assignments. Like anything in business, networking is key, and you’ll need to connect with editors, news agencies (like Getty Images, AP and Reuters), journalists and fellow photographers to create pathways to job opportunities.

Photographers’ Facebook groups can also be excellent avenues. 

While rejections and setbacks are given in this profession, it’s important to persist.  For every knockback there will be more successes around the corner.

If, like me, you have a calling for taking photos, a setback should only fire your determination to succeed.

What and how to shoot

Consider what you could cover – a local show or sport event, a car rally, a street protest or perhaps a festival would be a good place to start. Or you could choose a more themed topic which can be done over time; like a story about religion, a climate issue or an injustice you feel needs attention. 

Photojournalists like to be first on the scene.  Sudden news can occur from weather events to war events. Whether you happen upon it or race to the scene, you need to make sure you are safe and seek permission to attend if needed. 

Before heading out, find out as much about the event as possible.  This will help you decide how to capture the images you think you’ll need.

It can be useful to build a shot list of images you want to have at the end to work through as you go – close-ups, context shots, portraits, wider images etc. As always, knowledge about your subject and research will help you decide on your story approach.

Capture emotion

Facial expressions are powerful and telling. Try to capture faces that show the emotion of the moment – whether that’s sadness, anger, shock, elation or joy.

When I was capturing the recent ANZAC day service in Goombungee, in southeast Qld, I was conscious of photographing a diversity of emotion but looked for images that showed something of the solemn, reflective occasion.

At the same time, research will help you identify the main subjects who need to be in your images. Engage with your subjects courteously and ask permission to shoot if needed. 

I introduce myself as a freelance journalist and let them know where I hope to run (or will be running, if I’ve been commissioned) the story and their images.

Photo essays often consist of a mix of shots from action and portrait to landscape or streetscape – whatever is needed to tell the overall story including the location, mood and bigger picture.

Look out for part two next week.