Using A Digital SLR Camera In Photojournalism
It may sound obvious, but keep your camera with you always, with a spare memory card and battery alongside.
Assuming you are using a professional quality digital SLR, it is best to keep it on automatic mode so that if you need to whip it out of your bag unexpectedly and don't have time to adjust the manual settings you can still take a shot.
Whatever you are covering, start wide and then go up close.
Context is a crucial element of a photojournalistic image.
When you have that, you can go in for the emotion, concentrating simultaneously on composition, angles and lighting.
Do not manipulate your images.
Ideally, you will take shots that need no post production.
Learn how to shoot without a tripod by holding your arms close to your body or resting your camera against something appropriate.
Breathe out before you press the shutter.
If and when where possible, use whatever light is available.
This will mean you will be unobtrusive.
If you have to use a flash, avoid shadows by bouncing it off an appropriate surface.
Stay informed about what's happening in the world.
If you want your career to be self guided you will need to make this a priority.
When it comes to composition, remember that most people look at a picture for a few seconds.
Therefore consider what you need and leave out the rest.
Anything that isn't part of the story you want to tell will simply be a distraction.
If necessary, adjust your settings to take background objects out of focus.
Retain your empathy and listen to your heart.
Put yourself in your subject's place as well as considering what the viewer might feel.
In difficult circumstances, remember that taking a particular shot might change somebody's life, so it's worth swallowing the difficulty or discomfort that may arise.
Having said that, many newspapers and magazines are after sensationalism; always consider whether you want your name to be credited in a particular context.
Don't sacrifice manners for the sake of a shot.
Stay polite, calm and keep out of the way of any emergency services personnel trying to get on with their jobs.
Arriving at any accident scene before the emergency services means your duty is to help first and get the shot later.
You are first a human being, before anything.
Stay sensitive, but don't get involved on a personal level in what is happening around you.
Trust your instincts, but try to stay neutral in order to present an image that is as true to life as possible.
It will be impossible not to be touched by sadness, or risk depression as many photojournalists have, yet there will also be much joy so try and see both for the sake of your own sanity.
Know your rights regarding where and when you are allowed to take photographs, matters of copyright and more.
Authority figures will often attempt to prevent you from taking photographs, even where you are legally allowed to do so.
This is usually where they have something to hide.
It is your job to uncover the truth so stand firm.
Always back up as soon as possible, especially after shooting a news story.
You need to know your images are safe.
Assuming you are using a professional quality digital SLR, it is best to keep it on automatic mode so that if you need to whip it out of your bag unexpectedly and don't have time to adjust the manual settings you can still take a shot.
Whatever you are covering, start wide and then go up close.
Context is a crucial element of a photojournalistic image.
When you have that, you can go in for the emotion, concentrating simultaneously on composition, angles and lighting.
Do not manipulate your images.
Ideally, you will take shots that need no post production.
Learn how to shoot without a tripod by holding your arms close to your body or resting your camera against something appropriate.
Breathe out before you press the shutter.
If and when where possible, use whatever light is available.
This will mean you will be unobtrusive.
If you have to use a flash, avoid shadows by bouncing it off an appropriate surface.
Stay informed about what's happening in the world.
If you want your career to be self guided you will need to make this a priority.
When it comes to composition, remember that most people look at a picture for a few seconds.
Therefore consider what you need and leave out the rest.
Anything that isn't part of the story you want to tell will simply be a distraction.
If necessary, adjust your settings to take background objects out of focus.
Retain your empathy and listen to your heart.
Put yourself in your subject's place as well as considering what the viewer might feel.
In difficult circumstances, remember that taking a particular shot might change somebody's life, so it's worth swallowing the difficulty or discomfort that may arise.
Having said that, many newspapers and magazines are after sensationalism; always consider whether you want your name to be credited in a particular context.
Don't sacrifice manners for the sake of a shot.
Stay polite, calm and keep out of the way of any emergency services personnel trying to get on with their jobs.
Arriving at any accident scene before the emergency services means your duty is to help first and get the shot later.
You are first a human being, before anything.
Stay sensitive, but don't get involved on a personal level in what is happening around you.
Trust your instincts, but try to stay neutral in order to present an image that is as true to life as possible.
It will be impossible not to be touched by sadness, or risk depression as many photojournalists have, yet there will also be much joy so try and see both for the sake of your own sanity.
Know your rights regarding where and when you are allowed to take photographs, matters of copyright and more.
Authority figures will often attempt to prevent you from taking photographs, even where you are legally allowed to do so.
This is usually where they have something to hide.
It is your job to uncover the truth so stand firm.
Always back up as soon as possible, especially after shooting a news story.
You need to know your images are safe.