This week a few of my friends are truly profiting from their photo skills. They are shooting video of the Super Bowl for a Green Bay-based TV news station. Basically, they are getting paid to do what they love: take pictures and watch football’s biggest game of the year. It doesn’t get much better than that, especially if you are a Green Bay Packer backer.
Photojournalism definitely has its perks. If you are looking to break into the business, then consider these tips:
Pay Attention: Seems like commonsense, but you’d be surprised at what you can miss in the viewfinder during breaking news events. Never lose sight of the photo’s content. Getting caught up in the details is a major no-no. Your focus should be on getting the facts straight and making sure the image is accurate. If you can get the photo right and make it visually pleasing, then you’ll go far in the field.
Research: Photojournalists are not just photographers; they are one-man bands that are responsible for reporting, shooting and editing news stories. This means you need to research your subject before you start shooting. The more you know about your subject, the better prepared you will be to photograph him or her.
Don’t Fudge: While it may seem like the easy way to score a front-page spread, pictures that are not accurate will obliterate your credibility. A good photojournalist knows that he should never interfere or influence a news event. What’s more, you should never ask a subject to re-do something or set-up a shot in a way that deceives the viewer.
The Right Lighting: Lighting can make or break your photos. Photojournalists need to pay special attention to light sources, since they are constantly moving. It’s also important to focus on your angles, the time of day you shoot a subject, and the way you expose your picture.