SESSION NOTES

Jack Henry

10 Must-Have Images of Photojournalism

1. Scene setter

    • A broad view of the scene
    • Get a high-angle and a use a wide-angle lens
    • Wait for a moment
      • Just because you are setting a scene does not mean the moment doesn’t matter

2. The Stars

    • The most important person at any scene
    • Photograph them early
      • This allows everyone else at the event to realize there is a photographer and get used to the idea of getting photographed
      • Don’t be afraid to cover the stars multiple times, they deserve recognition

3. Peak Action

    • Find the key, highest energy moments
      • Ex: Slam dunk
      • Emotion, collisions, extreme eye positions

4. Honest Emotion

    • Facial expressions
    • Body language — Gestures, postures
    • Not having honest emotion is missing out on 50% of the story
    • Find the most emotional people you can

5. Tight Portrait

    • Opposite of a scene-setter
    • Stand close to your subject, eye level
    • Use a tight-angle lens and a shallow depth of field

6. Interaction

    • People are predictable, and it is our job to anticipate what is going to happen
    • All interaction is good interaction 
    • Every competitive team at your school either wins a championship or loses their last game; be there when that happens

7. Behind the Scenes

    • Get there early, stay there late

8. Quiet Moment

    • Opposite of peak action
    • Usually on the edges of the event

9. Playing with Shapes aka “Getting Instagramy”

    • High angles, low angles, and backlight all emphasize shapes

10. Artifacts

      • Something of meaning
      • “People without people”

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     What to Know Before College Journalism

    1. College for Everyone

      • Open your door
      • Be motivated by learning, not by grades

    2. Majoring in Journalism

      • Find internships
      • Find opportunities inside and outside of your school
      • The why:
        1. Produces the best writers 
        2. Communications skills
        3. Find a double major

    3. Student Journalism in College

      • Get started early
      • Have the best sources
      • The general public will never be on your side and will never understand the rules of journalism
      • Treat your journalism like your actual job
      • Find the power players (people with connections)

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    5 Things to Know to Prepare for a Journalism Career

    1. Read, Watch, Learn

      • Understand what you are taking in

    2. Practice makes Perfect

      • Get out of the classroom
      • Get out of your comfort zone
      • Start small and work your way up

    3. Learn how to write

      • Most important skill

    4. Be flexible

      • Be ahead of the curve
      • Change and be willing to change
      • Experiment in different mediums

    5. Be Curious and Open-minded

      • Don’t just say what happened, ask questions and dig deeper
      • Simply ask “why?”
      • Tune out the shouting
      • Unblur the line between fact and opinion
        • Don’t let your opinion sway how you tell a story

    6. Network

      • Find your future advisers, bosses, friends, colleagues
      • Take advantage of people that want to help you

    7. Let go of your ego

     

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