What is Photojournalism?

Photojournalism is a form of journalism wherein images are used to tell a story. Photos can deliver the wholeness of the news or story. It helps the audience to have an idea of what is happening. Photojournalism has a significant role in the world of journalism. It is commonly used in news, magazines, and newspapers.

Characteristics of Photojournalism

Relevant

The main goal of photojournalism is to deliver and tell a story. Photos are being captured since it is relevant and helps in telling the story being told. Photojournalism is characterized as relevant since it gives more detailed information with the help of the added images.

Timely

Photojournalism must talk about the current issues happening right now. With the plastered images, the audience will find it more interesting to watch or read the news.

Objective

Effective photojournalism must not be biased, and the images must show real events. The images and the news being told must be honest.

Narrative

Since the main goal of photojournalism is to tell a story, putting it as a narrative one is the best way. The photos attached must have a short description, write-up, or article that tells the relevant facts about the incident or event and, most importantly, tells the real story.

Aesthetically Interesting

Photos must easily catch the attention of the viewers. In photojournalism, images must have the right focus, angle, and color that can catch the interest of the audience.

Different Fields of Photojournalism

Spot or Breaking News 

This field pertains to any event or incident that is unexpected or unplanned, which means that no one knows where or when it will happen. Examples are fire incidents, car accidents, etc.

Documentary Photojournalism 

This field of photojournalism pertains to long-term photography projects. It can be trailing a candidate during the campaign period, documenting the life of someone, etc.

Sports Photography 

In sports photography, you can capture photos of any sport such as basketball game, swimming competition, volleyball tournament, etc. to add in the sports news.

Portrait Photojournalism 

In photojournalism, portrait photos must involve important members of the community in their usual routine or environment and not just a usual portrait photo.

Importance of Photojournalism

Photojournalism has a necessary role in the field of reporting current events. Images are captured to help in summarising the thought of the article, supports a statement and making the report more interesting. Since most of the people consider their time important, they won’t read all the content of the article and just view the photos included.

One photo can describe it all. It has a louder voice that tells everyone what happened. It helps in improving the story and helps viewers to understand more the news. Words can be biased sometimes, but not the photos of the actual happening.

The objective of a Photojournalist

The main goal of photojournalists is to tell an honest story of a certain event. They take photos highlighting the important issues of a news story. They convey the truth a report with the help of a single yet powerful photograph, which helps the viewers to know what happened.