CHAPTER 12
BASIC PHOTOJOURNALISM
Photojournalism is a form of communication that
plays a vital part in modern news reporting. To convey
their message, photojournalists use a harmonious
combination of photographs and words. Many of the
leading magazines and newspapers attribute success to
photojournalism. The reason for this is simple — a good
photograph can, at a glance, portray the essence of a
news or feature story.
Well-composed, action-packed photographs with
carefully worded photo captions have reader appeal,
realism and permanence. Do you remember the
photographs of the raising of the American flag over
Mount Suribachi, the signing of Japan’s surrender
aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB 63) (fig. 12-1),
the swearing-in of Lyndon B. Johnson aboard Air Force
One or Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin
planting Old Glory on the moon? How many of the
words written about these events do you remember?
The photojournalist’s objective is to communicate
primarily through photographs. To be an effective their
photojournalist, you must understand the following
fundamentals:
Know your subject. You cannot communicate
information about a subject of which you have
no knowledge.
Know why you are communicating. You
should always have a purpose for your
message. The purpose might be as simple as
sharing an emotion or experience.
Know to whom you are communicating. Is it
a specific audience that has some knowledge of
your subject, or is it a “mixed bag”?
U.S. Navy photo
Figure 12-1.—Fleet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz signs the Japanese surrender document aboard the battleship USS Missouri (BB 63).
Looking on, from left, are Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Adm. William F. Halsey and Rear Adm. Forrest P. Sherman,
of Staff for Fleet Adm. Nimitz.
12-1
