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Journalism · MS elective · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Visual Journalism & Photojournalism

“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough.” This course trains students to tell powerful news stories through still images. Students will master technical camera skills (exposure, composition) while adhering to the strict ethical code of photojournalism—learning the difference between “enhancing” an image and “manipulating” the truth.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Master the Exposure Triangle (Aperture, Shutter, ISO) for documentary photography
  2. Compose images using the Rule of Thirds, Layering, and Leading Lines
  3. Execute the "Photo Essay": Narrative structure in a series of images
  4. Navigate the ethics of digital manipulation (Staging vs. Candid)
  5. Write accurate, journalistic captions (Cutlines) according to AP Style
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01History of Photojournalism: Capa to Cartier-Bresson
  2. 02Camera Mechanics: Exposure Theory
  3. 03Composition: Geometry & The Frame
  4. 04Light: Working with Natural & Available Light
  5. 05Spot News: Covering Breaking Events
  6. 06Feature Photography: Slice of Life
  7. 07Street Photography & Legal Rights
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09The Portrait: Environmental vs. Studio
  10. 10Sports & Action Photography
  11. 11The Photo Essay I: Planning & Access
  12. 12The Photo Essay II: Editing & Sequencing
  13. 13Digital Ethics: The Photoshop Limit
  14. 14Caption Writing: Context & Accuracy
  15. 15The Freelance Photojournalist Business
  16. 16Final Project: The Narrative Photo Essay

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: The Narrative Photo Essay

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach by Kenneth Kobre
  2. The Decisive Moment by Henri Cartier-Bresson
  3. Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag
  4. Truth Needs No Ally: Inside Photojournalism by Howard Chapnick
  5. Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism by Brian Horton
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