We are not alone! It is very good to know that out there somewhere are sentient beings looking to become photojournalists.
Photojournalism is a truly broad spectrum job description. It encompasses those who are almost all photographer with just a smigeon of journalist, those who are almost all journalist with just a hint of photographer and all stops in between. At the risk of stating the glaringly obvious being a professional photojournalist entails earning a living by shooting news pictures that people are prepared to pay for, with great enough frequency to make existence financially viable. There are many ways to achieve it, some easier than others all equally valid.
If the letter disclosing that your greatest wish is to become a photojournalist with an international news agency begins, “Dear Sir or Madam”, save yourself the cost of postage and the effort of walking to the mail box. Let’s face it if you can’t find out the name of the person who runs the operation you’ve set your sights on joining then maybe journalism really isn’t your thing at all.
More than once I have heard, “my passion is to become a photographer but I am just waiting for the opportunity to cover a big story somewhere exciting”. Again, don’t kid yourself, unless you are someone like Scarlett Johannson no assigning editor in their right mind is going to take a punt on sending a wannabe into a high value, high cost, competitive situation. Of course some of us have no choice because we live where the big stories are happening, but more of that later.
If you want to work in the news business it really does help to be an avid consumer of news media.
There is invariably a photographer credit on pictures, contact them and ask them how they did it or why. If they are sensible they won’t believe their own publicity but we are suckers for anyone who demonstrates a genuine interest in what we do.
If you are not already shooting pictures of everything that moves do so. Learn how to use your gear, learn about depth of field, backgrounds, how to light your pictures and practice until it becomes second nature. Try to make pictures like the best of those you see in print or online, then try to make yours better. Practice on local sports and news events, try and get your pictures published. Learn how to edit your own material honestly, learn from your mistakes and most importantly learn how to come back from them and still deliver the goods .
Most of the photojournalists I know started as freelancers operating in orbit around assigning pictures desks at local newspapers or local agencies, doing things that other people couldn’t or wouldn’t do and doing that more often, more successfully and more cheerfully than anyone else day or night. Never work for nothing, never come back without a picture and if you are Scarlett Johannson we could offer you a few Premier League soccer shifts towards the end of the year…….
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7 comments so far
Being more or less a wannabe, I couldn’t stop myself from making a short reply… I went through all these steps you describe, some unconsciously, others due to a lot of effort (oh, and I can add the list a good internship). Now, trying to survive as a freelancer, I’d have to say that my work is sometimes difficult and not very gratifying… but I will not give up. Besides all the economic problems that newspapers and magazines face these days, that damage our pursuit for the facts, there seems to be an overload of young photojournalists that wander around. This makes things a lot harder. As a result of this overload it is not easy to earn the respect and the right to stand side by side with the ones who taught us. Good to hear, now and then, some words of encouragement as yours.
- Posted by MMBoy… I have been looking for someone to tell these advices and not having to read it in books about “how to make it in the media today”. I am getting more interested in making my work more serious. Any other advice will be appreciated.
- Posted by FabricioI agree with Fabricio.
Although true, a lot of the advice that you can get in books feels like it was created by a machine.
I want to keep trying. I realize that I’m relatively young and can do this if I make the effort.
It’s odd. I look at Reuters and admire their PJs for how they push creativity in news pictures. I can always expect something that I can link to my friend so we can say “man, that’s wicked.” Then, you hear how the paper just wants a pic of someone eating a mic mid speech.
And it’s also kind of odd when you see other media outlets care so little about images. I’ve visited Al Jazeera a few times in the last week and found that their photos are seldomly captured.
I saw one and thought “man, that must be a Reuters photo.” And then I found it here. It was the space shuttle taking off at night (long exposure and fish-eye lens it seemed).
Anyway, as long as you guys exist I will want to break into this PJ world. I may not end up driving a 745LI at the end of the day, but I will know there’s magic in what I do.
Thanks Dear Sir or Maddam Viggers
ps: pardon typos
- Posted by Dario AyalaGood tips. Work and you’ll be there… Which I should be doing right now…
- Posted by Victor-Anthony Massonhi there, i’m a photojournalist wannabe.
i know i can’t start with a big news, but i sure would like to. i’m just a 20 year old girl from portugal, and let’s face it.. how am i gonna make it in the world? i have to make it big. i know i have great capacities as a photographer, and i would really like to be a war photojournalist, some may say it’s just a phase, just some fascination. i think that being faced with disgraces and misfortunes puts me in contact with my smallness (?) and makes me hapier with my little misfortunes. it sounds very selfish doesn’t it? why i’m saying this here i don’t know. i don’t even know if the person who wrote this post will read it. anyway.
i admire all the people going there and doing the thing i’d like to be doing, photographig the things i should be seeing.
and, since i’m getting started on this new business, if you Are reading, what should i do, what should i see? where should i travel? whou should i talk to? anything? links, books, anything?
- Posted by AgataHi all,
to echo words before myself, I am also a wannabe, I live in little old England, I say I am a passionate tog, to explain this briefly, I will not leave my house without my camera. I am constantly shooting, I do not keep everything I take, however I constantly learn or try to. I am doing my best to get any experience possible, whether it be taking pics or carrying bags for a photographer.
Those before mentioned “big events”, for me its got not much to do with the subject but everything with getting that shot, or two or more.
Stood at the concession stand waiting to buy cigarettes I glanced the front pages of some papers, and what look straight back at me “Reuters” everywhere! The PJ’s seem to be able to do something truly magical with cameras. One day I promise you all I will make my living with my camera.
- Posted by JonathanWhen is part two on it’s way?
I’d love to be a photojournalist, I got all the gear, apart from the long lenses (500+) which cost too much for my wallet currently.
I’m currently stuck between jobs. I’ve got a secure full-time job, which I like but would rather do a photography related job. I’m starting to find it hard to break into the PJ stuff without having to quit my current job. Perhaps it’s a step I have to take?
Anyway, get on with it and publish part 2!
- Posted by Josh