4.1 | Introduction to Photojournalism

STEP 1 - LEARN Watch this presentation and take notes to learn how to tell a story through photos.

STORY TELLING Great storytelling photos show who, what, when, where, why and how of an event.

STORY-TELLING | ANTICIPATE Conflict or challenge: the photographer anticipates the moment, place or interaction that illustrates the struggle or pain or determination important to the story Anna Robles, Sonoma Valley High School [ST]

STORY-TELLING | ANTICIPATE The photographer of this photo knew that the seniors would have a dance party during passing periods on game days. Anticipating this, she was there and ready with her camera. Sara Benson, Shawnee Mission East High School [KS]

STORY-TELLING | ANTICIPATE During a close Division Finals game, the photographer got down low to photograph the goalie during the final shootout. Turning around, he noticed this scene and shot the anticipation. Lesson: Anticpate the action, but remember to look around you. Matthew Szczerba, Powers Catholic High School [MI]

STORY-TELLING | BUILD CHARACTERS Who is important to the story? Who gives it life and personality? Pay attention to the key players and try to capture the details of what they do. Dara O’Connor, Shawnee Mission East High School [KS]

STORY-TELLING | BUILD CHARACTERS Don’t forget the fans and crowds. They are an equally important part of the story. Chelsey Burgess, Whitney High School [CA]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW THE SETTING Don’t forget the fans and crowds. They are an equally important part of the story. Tiffini Jarvis, Bryant High School [AR]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW THE SETTING The photographer takes the reader to where the story happened and shows more than just the people involved. Katie Blanks, Round Rock High School [TX]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW DETAILS Show details that would be difficult to explain in writing. Aaron Pino, Sonoma Valley High School [CA]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW DETAILS Show details that would be difficult to explain in writing. Kyle Burnett, Franklin High School [TX]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW EMOTION Emotion: photos show expressive body language, close-ups of eyes and mouth, interaction between people Parker Pamplin, Bryant High School [AR]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW EMOTION Emotion: photos show expressive body language, close-ups of eyes and mouth, interaction between people Tiffini Jarvis, Bryant High School [AR]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW ENERGY Photos capture the action; they stop it close-up. Gabby Bacheim, Trinity High School [TX]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW ENERGY Photos capture the action; they stop it close-up. Amanda Pankhurst, Amboy High School [IL]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW REACTIONS Reaction: photos show expressions and include subjects that tell the story. Sometimes a reaction is more interesting than the action just before it. Justin McCarroll, Franklin High School [TX]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW REACTIONS Reaction: photos show expressions and include subjects that tell the story. Sometimes a reaction is more interesting than the action just before it. Amanda Pankhurst, Amboy High School [IL]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW RELATIONSHIPS Relationship: Photos show the interaction between subjects. The photographer looks for eye contact. Sara Benson, Shawnee Mission East High School [KS]

STORY-TELLING | SHOW RELATIONSHIPS Relationship: Photos show the interaction between subjects. The photographer looks for eye contact. Mali Cao, Red Mountain High School [AZ]

STORY-TELLING | CAPTURE VARIETY A wide shot shows an overall picture of an event or scene. It introduces the reader to the story Dylan Crow, Shawnee Mission West High School [KS]

STORY-TELLING | CAPTURE VARIETY A medium shot brings readers closer to the action and tells more of the story. Emma Pindell, Marist Catholic High School [OR]

STORY-TELLING | CAPTURE VARIETY A close-up or detail shot focuses on a single, interesting subject. Whitney Butler, Bryant High School [AR]

THINK ABOUT THE SPREAD Format: A variety of both horizontal and vertical photos covers a story more effectively.

THINK ABOUT THE SPREAD Format: A variety of both horizontal and vertical photos covers a story more effectively. Subjects: Varying the number of people in the photos tells different stories. A photo might show a single person, a couple, a small group or a large group.

THINK ABOUT THE SPREAD Format: A variety of both horizontal and vertical photos covers a story more effectively. Subjects: Varying the number of people in the photos tells different stories. A photo might show a single person, a couple, a small group or a large group. Sequence: A complete visual story results by shooting before, during and after the event or activity.

COMPOSITION Photos should be composed with the same care taken in reporting, writing and editing.

COMPOSITION | FILL THE FRAME Moving in close gets rid of all elements that distract from the subject. Sara Rogers, Texas High School [TX]

COMPOSITION | CONTROL THE BACKGROUND Moving in close gets rid of all elements that take away from the subject. Sara Benson, Shawnee Mission East High School [KS]

COMPOSITION | FOCUS ON THE CVI Center of interest: The primary subject catches readers’ attention first and should be the focal point. Sara Miller, Whitney High School [CA]

COMPOSITION | LEADING LINES Leading lines: real or imaginary lines in a photo direct attention to the center of interest Erica DeVinney, Bellefonte Area High School [PA]

COMPOSITION | REPETITION Repetition of patterns: Texture or line repeats in the foreground or background of a photo Andrew Goodman, St. Mark’s School of Texas [TX]

COMPOSITION | FRAMING Terry Vo, La Quinta High School [CA] Framing: A photo is composed so that the subject is surrounded by content – sky, ground, people, architecture – that highlights the subject. Terry Vo, La Quinta High School [CA]

COMPOSITION | RULE OF THIRDS Rule of thirds: When a photo is divided into thirds vertically and horizontally, four intersection points are created. The primary subject should hit near one of these intersection points, a little off center. Jesus Chavez, Monache High School [CA]

COMPOSTION | BIRD’S-EYE VIEW When a photo is taken from above looking down, it is called a bird’s-eye view. A bird’s-eye view photo can be taken by standing on a chair, a ladder, a deck or by looking out a high window. Robert Coletta, Hononegah High School [IL]

COMPOSITION | WORM’S-EYE VIEW When a photo is taken from below looking up, or is taken from a low angle looking laterally, it is called worm’s-eye view. Whitney High School, Bryant High School [AR]

COMPOSITION | SELECTIVE FOCUS One way to emphasize the CVI is to use selective focus, or utilizing shutter speed and aperture to focus on the background. Emily Dickenson, Madrona K-8 School [WA]

STORYTELLING TEAM WORK Work as a team to select the best photos.

STORYTELLING TEAM WORK Work as a team to select the best photos. Build your layouts around your best photos, changing the design of the spread as necessary.

STORYTELLING TEAM WORK Work as a team to select the best photos. Build your layouts around your best photos, changing the design of the spread as necessary. Work together to select a variety of photos – showing events from a variety of perspectives, including large groups, small groups, and shots of individuals.

TEAM WORK | PHOTO SELECTION #1 #2 Selection: The selection process is simply choosing the right photos to tell stories. It’s a matter of selecting photos that contribute something different to a story and have strong composition and good technical quality. Which of these two photos do you think tells a better story? Why? Matt Brosig, James Bowie High School [TX]

STEP 2 - PRACTICE Complete Handout 3.1 – Storytelling Photographs and Handout 3.1 – Rule of Thirds.

STEP 3 - DO Participate in a photo scavenger hunt (Handout 4.1). Spend the week taking photos that meet the requirements, paying close attention to composition and technical skills. Keep in mind that all photos could be used in the yearbook. Each should tell a story.