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Chapter 9 Action and Event Photography
because of the speed with which images could
be taken, delivered, and processed. Except in the
largest news organizations, the photographer
is likely to shoot the photo, and then use image
processing software to prepare the chosen file
for publication. In many cases, however, the
photographer will not actually select the image to
be used. A member of the editorial staff (in larger
organizations, a designated photo editor) will
usually review the possible images and choose
one or more to be published.
In smaller communities, photojournalists
and reporters are well-known to police officers,
firefighters, and other government personnel
and seldom have a problem gaining access to
sites where a news event is occurring. Larger
municipalities typically issue press credentials,
Figure 9-19, to news people so that they can
Types of Photojournalism
Photojournalism can be categorized in many
different ways, but these four types include
almost every relevant application:
• News/feature photography
• Picture stories
• Yearbook/school event/newsletter
• Other “event” photography
The categories overlap to some extent,
of course. For example, both news/feature
photography and yearbook photography might
involve shooting picture stories. In this text, the
four categories will be considered separately for
ease of discussion.
News and Feature
Photography
The majority of photojournalists work
for daily or weekly newspapers, and handle a
variety of photo responsibilities. On any given
day, a newspaper photographer may have both
hard news assignments (fires, auto or industrial
accidents, crime coverage) and soft news (feature)
assignments, such as seasonal pictures, fashion
or food shots, or human interest photos. Mastery
of technical skills is important in any photo
situation, but particularly on the hard news
assignments, where there may be no opportunity
for additional shots.
Hard news photography
Important skills for the photojournalist,
in addition to photographic knowledge, are
the ability to make decisions and act quickly,
determination to carry out the assignment despite
obstacles, and the physical stamina to work in
unpleasant and sometimes dangerous conditions,
Figure 9-18. In addition, the photojournalist must
have the ability to work with people of all kinds,
from political figures and government officials
to distraught crime victims and downright
antagonistic individuals. Especially in smaller
news organizations, the photographer may
be required to work long or irregular hours
(including being on call for breaking news at any
hour of the day or night).
The use of digital cameras is almost universal
among photojournalists; in fact, they were
among the first professionals to “go digital”
Figure 9-18. The photojournalist sometimes works in
dangerous situations, such as shooting this approaching
tornado. (NOAA/Harald Richter)
Figure 9-19. The author’s Chicago press card from his
early days as a print journalist. In larger metropolitan
areas, press credentials are usually issued by the police
department.