Visual Journalism – Page 114 – Notes from aside the camera

August 31, 2012

Better Truthiness Through Photography

Science Daily is reporting on a recent study lead by Eryn J. Newman of Victoria University in New Zealand that looks at the effect of photos on readers’ decisions about whether a statement is true or not. More evidence that photojournalism needs to be both true and accurate, I think. (Thanks to Billy Suratt for the link.)

Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism

August 30, 2012

They Like Us, But They Don’t Trust Us

The Reynolds Journalism Institute released a new study about the public’s perception of journalism. One of the best breakdowns of the study is over at the Poynter Institute by Jeff Sonderman – both are worth a read. The instant takeaway: the public prefers professionally produced journalism … but doesn’t trust the sources. Let that sit for a while …

Business & Industry/Journalism

August 30, 2012

Steroids, Ethics and Photojournalism

Sean Elliot, president of the National Press Photographers Association, wrote an intriguing post questioning whether you can draw a parallel between steroid use in athletics and manipulations in photojournalism. It’s a great question that he poses and I think the answer is yes. Photojournalism – not photography, photojournalism – is about truth, accuracy and fairness. Doctoring your images in Photoshop,...

Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism/Thoughts & Theory

August 29, 2012

Wall Street Journal Reporters Posting Short Videos

Over at the Poynter Institute, Jeff Sonderman has a story up about Wall Street Journal reporters who, after having been issued smart phones, are now posting short videos online. The videos, under the banner of WorldStream, vary from short snippets of the locations the journalists are to stand ups of them talking about stories they are in the process of...

Business & Industry/Journalism/Video

August 29, 2012

California Anti-Paparazzi Law to be Challenged

A California statute that allows prosecution of photographers who drive recklessly while pursuing subjects is going to be challenged in court. Uhh … if they drive recklessly, isn’t that already against the law? Why single out photographers? (Thanks to Mickey Osterreicher for the link.)

Ethics & Legal/Photojournalism

August 27, 2012

Photoshelter Webinar on Assisting

Photoshelter has a webinar scheduled for 4 p.m. this Thursday on How to Make it As a Photography Assistant. Drew Gurian, who has worked as a first assistant to Joe McNally, will be talking about his experiences and offering advice on the pros and cons of assisting.

Business & Industry/Photojournalism/Tech Talk

August 27, 2012

How to Pitch a Story

Over at the Poynter Institute, Tom Huang has an excellent post up about how to pitch a story. One of my great struggles in the classroom is moving students from shooting items or events to documenting ideas and issues – this will be brought into all my classes now.

Advice & Learning/Craft/Journalism/Photojournalism

August 27, 2012

Wanted: Copyeditors

We in the journalism trade probably spend too much energy on enjoying the errors of others … but, when you get an obit headline wrong – so, so wrong – maybe we should point it out? Or maybe we should send notes to media executives pointing out that all the newsroom cuts are having an effect on the journalism?

Ethics & Legal/Journalism

August 26, 2012

How to Get Better

Over at the Online Photographer, Mike Johnston talks about how to learn to love a camera. His advice is two fold: learn the camera, then use it. A lot. The advice I give my students is equally simple (and appropriate since the intro kids will be getting their cameras tomorrow): the camera has to disappear in your hands. Much as...

Craft/Photojournalism/Tech Talk

August 24, 2012

Kodak to Sell Off Film Business

The idea of Kodak not making film saddens me to no end, but according to an article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Big Yellow has decided to put its film business up for sale in an effort to stave off bankruptcy. It is hard for me to think of another iconic company that has faltered so badly and fallen...

Tech Talk