Being able to provide photographs when you pitch a story is an easier sell, but the quality of the pictures need to match that of the writing. The photograph is the first thing readers see and if it’s not engaging, your audience may gloss right over your piece.

Decisions, decisions

The National Geographic Photojournalism Guide says first and foremost “the photographer must decide what to photograph and how to frame the subject”. “To give a broader view of a topic, a photographer might take a series of photographs which will become the story.”

Framing

“For print media, shoot some photos in vertical (portrait shape) and some in horizontal (landscape shape) framing,” says Harold Gess, a photojournalism lecturer at Rhodes University. “This gives the designer scope to use your picture to fit the design. For online media, shoot mostly horizontal as verticals are not often used.”

He says by taking many different photos you are also providing more choice. “[D]on’t just take lots from the same vantage point.” For an appealing photograph, place your subject off-centre in the image, using the rule of thirds. Remember to avoid too much space above the subject’s head.

Lighting

Gess says backlighting should be avoided. “It tends to cause flare and your subject to be much too dark.”

“Holding a reflector in front of the subject can help if you have no other choice,” says Cape Town-based photojournalist Sarah Schäfer. “Backlight, or fill flash if absolutely necessary, can be used to good effect, but if you aren’t confident with it, don’t use it.”

“Avoid hard mid-day light,” says Schäfer, “use early morning or late afternoon light for landscapes and scenic shots.” 

Subject Matter

“Most photos will be improved by moving closer to fill the frame with your subject,” says Gess. If subjects feel uncomfortable about the process, it’ll show in the picture. Schäfer’s advice is to interact with them and make them feel at ease.

Ensure there is nothing photobombing you. “Look around your subject and avoid objects that appear to protrude from the head of a person or limbs coming in from the side of the photo,” says Gess. Also, try not to cut off body parts at awkward places. The same goes for buildings and landscapes.  

The National Geographic Photojournalism Guide says: “Include foreground subjects and background subjects – objects that are closer to the camera are in the foreground and those that are further from the camera are in the background.”

Angles

“People and animals are generally best photographed from their eye height,” says Gess. Schäfer warns that some angles (like from below) can be very unflattering for portraits. If you’re shooting scenes or landscapes, try playing with different angles.

Technical aspects

“Flash is the best way to ruin a photo,” says Gess. “Try not to use the flash except as a ‘fill-flash’ or if there is no other option but to use it.” It is also wise to photograph at the best quality and resolution for the camera.

Schäfer suggests not boosting your ISO unless absolutely necessary. Don’t shoot at a slow shutter speed either, rather use a lower aperture first, and then boost the ISO. She advises shooting in RAW too. And in order to keep photos straight and perspective correct she says always carry a tripod.

What are your thoughts on photojournalism? Do you have any other tips for first-timers? Tell us below.