Photojournalism

Course Description
The College of the Bahamas

PHOTOJOURNALISM
Focuses on developing the skill of using the still camera for careers
in journalism, public relations and the print media in general.
The student learns the basics of camera use and lenses, how to shoot
events or pre-planned photographs.
The aesthetics of the image will also be covered.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
General

To develop in the student the skill, techniques and art of capturing

the essence of a story in a photograph. How to use a camera to capture
the "moment" or event to enhance a news story or to stand alone as a
visual statement. To shoot photos for newspapers, magazines,
public relations and other media.

Specific

At the end of the course students should

a) - be able to visualize content; use the camera as an extension of
the eye; know what is visually newsworthy
b) - be able to use a still camera (35mm) in all of its manual functions (shutter, focusing, aspect
ratio, depth-of-field, f-stops)
c) - know lens characteristics (wide, medium, narrow, telephoto) and the kinds of images they pro-
duce
d) - know kinds of film and the results they produce
e) - be able to shoot the three kinds of journalistic images
-- "spot" news (live events)
-- photos to illustrate a feature story
-- set-ups (staged events - ceremonies, awards, committees, etc.)
f) - be able to judge and criticize photos and learn something of their aesthetics

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Taught by George Lessard in 1990 & 1991
 Photojournalism
Course Description
The College of the Bahamas

COURSE OUTLINE
I The Camera : Its function, parts & optical theory

A. The lens and the camera

1. Function and kinds of lenses

2. Focusing and depth-of-field principals
3. F-stops (the diaphragm opening)
4. Shutter speeds and their effects
5. Filters; their use and effects
6. Manual versus automatic mode
7. Camera formats (35mm & other)
8. Kinds of film and their use/effects

B. Lighting

1. Available light and how to use it

2. Controlled light (studio & remote)

C. Editing-in-the-camera

The importance of pre-planning, how experience helps to get good pictures "on-the-spot", getting
what you want without wasting time and film.

II T h e "S h o o t s" of journalism & other print media

A. On-the-spot coverage of breaking events (objective photography), shooting to record reality.

1. Local (fires, crime, politics, sports, public events)

2. Regional/National/International (war, terrorism, etc.)
3. Documentary shoots

B. The Feature Story Photographs(s)

1. Photographs to enhance a narrative

2. Photographs with captions and little or no narration
3. The documentary feature photograph

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Taught by George Lessard in 1990 & 1991
 Photojournalism
Course Description
The College of the Bahamas

C. The "Set-up" shot

1. The routine of set-ups, the inherent "poses" of the genre; is innovation possible?
2. Examples of two officials shaking hands, officer installation, meeting of committees, etc.

III Aesthetics and Criticism of journalistic photos

A. Criteria for on-the-spot photos

B. Criteria for pre-planned photos
C. Aesthetics of framing, composition, subject selection

EVALUATION
Course work = 75 % Final exam or alternative = 25 %
Course work includes photographs taken by students, a "hands-on" quiz, a written critical essay.
The hands-on-quiz is one in which the instructor prepares about two dozens questions concerning
the use of the camera parts and situations requiring the student's analysis of how to solve a photo-
journalism problem with the camera. The quiz is administered (about 10 minutes) individually dur-
ing class time while the other students are busy with their photo projects (and waiting their turn for
the quiz). The final exam will be primarily on vocabulary and questions requiring more analysis of
how to solve journalist "shoot" problems.

ALTERNATIVE

No final. Add one more quiz (written) beyond the "hands-on" quiz. A final portfolio of the student/s
choice of their best work with a short paper on why they chose (detailing the course critical con-
cepts that their choices reflect) and handed in during the last week of class.

Shooting events and on-the-spot photos ...........20 %

Shooting feature story photos ...........20 %
Shooting pre-planned set-ups ...........20 %
Quiz (one or more) ...........10 %
Critical essay ............ 5 %

Term Mark ---------75 %

Final exam..... or alternative ...........25 %

----------------
100 %

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Taught by George Lessard in 1990 & 1991
 Photojournalism
Course Description
The College of the Bahamas

PRE-REQUISITES
COM 250 (for majors). Permission of Department and/or Instructor

HOURS PER WEEK

Lecturer - 2 Laboratory - 2

TEXT
Milkes, Harvey L. Photojournalism: A Freelancer's Guide
ISBN 0-8092-5918-4, Contemporary Books, 1981

SUPPLEMENTARY
Garaci, Philip C. Photojournalism : Making Pictures for Publication
ISBN 0-8403-3022-7, Kendall-Hunt, 1983

LAB FEE: $50.00

EQUIPMENT
A 35 mm camera (or other suitable camera with all required features and parts
[full manual capability]) is mandatory.
The student may use their own camera or one of the cameras owned by the department. A lab fee
of $50.00 is required and is used to purchase film at discount prices for the students to use.
Students are responsible for all costs incurred in getting the film developed/printed.
Students will have to rotate use of departmental cameras and use such cameras during class time
(laboratory day) is encouraged. Students must be able to use camera at night and over weekends.

CLASS SIZE
Limit 10- 12 (never beyond)
Until such time as the department has enough of their own cameras, class size will be held to stu-
dents who have their own camera, plus two-students per-departmental camera.

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Taught by George Lessard in 1990 & 1991