Many newspapers will have a photographer on staff to accompany a reporter to an event, but that’s not always an option. In a pinch, (and at smaller newspapers) a reporter will be expected to take photos along with reporting the news. I am a reporter, not a photographer, but over the years, here are some tips I found that will help a reporter take better photos.
1. AVOID GRIP AND GRIN SHOTS — We’ve all seen them – a group of stiff-backed people gripping a check (or trophy or award), with fake grins plastered on their face. The grip and grin is an old standby for the journalist-turned-photographer. But there are alternatives to this boring photo. One reporter had the small group of people shake hands and hug and snapped a shot as they did so. Another idea is to get a picture of what the money will be used for rather than the check. Instead of that ribbon-cutting photo, get a picture of real people scoping out the newly opened business.
2. PAY ATTENTION TO THE BACKGROUND — Too often we see perfectly fine pictures of people, except they have weird objects growing out of their head. The three-dimensional world can look quite differently in a two-dimension photo, so be aware of what else may be in your photo besides your primary subject. While you don’t always want to shoot everything in front of a blank wall, you do want to keep the background in mind as you shoot the photos.
3. PHOTOGRAPH PEOPLE — Every newspaper should have photos of real people in it. That means the guy raking his leaves on a fall day or a child playing in the water. Try to avoid repeated mug shots of your local police chief or other figurehead. Make a point of taking photos of people, not just things. Use photos with articles, as well as stand alones.
4. GET CLOSER — When taking a photo, you need to remember you are taking photos of people doing things. Make sure you fill the shot with the people and not the things. Don’t be afraid to look at things at a different angle. Step closer. If it’s a child, kneel down to their level. Think of the final picture and what image you are going for when you take it.
5. TAKE NATURAL SHOTS — Avoid posed shots. Even if they aren’t gripping anything, posed shots come off badly. A good tip is to take photos of “unsuspecting subjects” and ask for names and details and permission after you’ve taken the photo. If they say no, it’s a wasted shot. If they say yes, the photo will probably be better than one where they were conscious of the camera. Ask your photo subjects to act as if you aren’t there. Take your time and let them get used to you.
A Note about the Digital Revolution — Many newsrooms are “going digital.” It works well for newsrooms. I recommend you use a digital camera. You’ll need a high-end digital camera capable of taking at least 5.1 mega pixels or higher. The preferable digital camera is a digital SLR.
You should have several memory cards of 256 mb or higher; it’s always nice to have a back up. Set your camera, so it takes the largest quality photos. Also, unless you have one of the top-of-the-line digital cameras (translation — you spent several thousand dollars for the camera and lenses), it won’t work well for taking action shots like sports photos. Football fields and the weird lighting of basketball courts play havoc on all but the best digital cameras.
