Real talk about daily journalism.
News photographers are news junkies. We love to be where the action is and we strive to document the moments that hold all the tension, elation, trauma or truth that the situation presents so those who see our images can feel themselves situated in someone else’s shoes. A good news photo ignites a range of emotions from anger to empathy. It also reminds us of our shared humanity. Documenting those moments means we often impose on people’s best and worst moments. Many students ask me if that isn’t disrespectful, and whether we should be seeing those moments. It is a great question and an important discussion, so I encourage real talk on our role and the role of photojournalism in grounding us in truth. The answer is, of course, if we aren’t there to document conflict, human rights abuses, dire conditions in refugee camps, gun violence, domestic violence, substance abuse, and so many other social ills, then the bad guys will get away with it. We need powerful images to ignite our better natures, to rally us to get involved, to care, to work for change, build tolerance and understanding.
Being a savvy photojournalist means being a good student of human nature, being able to anticipate the hug, the tears, the high fives, the movement of the crowd, and so much more. We develop the reflexes necessary to actually capture those moments with practice, practice, practice, often by shooting sports. One thing I try to drive home with students is that you have to do your homework in sports like you would any social issue or before shooting a portrait. Who might be reaching a milestone during the game? Who is coming back from injury? Has a rivalry with an opposing player? - all that knowledge informs a photo that lives long after the next day’s publication.
The bread and butter of community journalism, less it’s heart, is the “found” image, the feature, the daily life photo, the “wild art” or some other pet name for an editor telling you: “We’ve got nothing for the Metro section again. Go find us something to lead the page with.” Some days it works out beautifully if there is weather. Some days you just aren’t feeling it. But there are those who thrive on this. I love having this assignment, especially when I worked out of the Tijuana, Mexico bureau. Every dirt road led me to more images and more stories than I could handle. The category One Week’s Work in the Pictures of the Year international competition was created for people like me (and amazing “Metro Dogs” like Bruce Chambers) who never left their 20-mile radius of Long Beach, CA. or Columbia, SC., yet produced a portfolio of news, sports, and feature images in the span of one week. I won first, second, or third place in that category (often first and second the same year) so many times they retired the category. (But not before a colleague Wally Skalij stepped up and took it over!) Give it a try. You will fall in love with your community. A great place to start is Friday Night Lights - high school sports during Homecoming. It never gets old!
One thing that makes a photo rise above is a little Elliott Erwitt style sarcasm or a surprise that makes you read the caption or at least smile.
Jean Isaacs’ Trolley Dance group performing a piece called "Precision Produce Handling" in the produce section of Food 4 Less at the Market Street shopping center near the Euclid trolley stop.
Ramona Rodeo Queen and Jr. Queen with the breakfast of champions before the start of the rodeo.
Couples wait to be called to finalize their paperwork before getting married at the County Public Administration building the day after the Supreme Court recognized marriage for same sex couples.
Two brothers ambush their sister with a bucket of cold water as she played near the storage shed that serves as the family’s home in a cargo shipping yard in Wilmington, CA.
A burglar is discovered hiding in a trash bin behind a home in Long Beach, CA. after he robbed a jewelry store. A K-9 dog located him.
Superman navigates traffic along the parade route before the start of the annual Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA.
Another layer of any good daily journalism photo, or any photo at all, besides the decisive moment, is use of light. Lining up a composition and identifying and using good light is part of stalking the moment. The quality of light can create a mood or reveal something about the situation. Natural light is better. Using fill light or a softbox changes everything.
Sailors carry their duffel bags onto the USS Bonhomme Richard at dawn in San Diego, CA. as she prepares to depart for a six months deployment.
Firefighters walk back out of a warehouse after quickly knocking down a fire that started with an electrical short circuit.
A devotee carries candles through a crowd during a Diwali ceremony (festival of light) at a Hare Krishna temple in San Diego, CA.
Sarge’s face is illuminated by a match when he lights a cigarette to keep warm between rain storms on a winter night in San Diego, CA. before climbing under his blankets.