To go along with this discussion, I was able to have the editor of our local daily paper talk to the group about photojournalism. It was great to learn about this career from someone who started out in the business at such a young age. Mr. Andy is also from the area so it gave these budding photographers a good perspective. He told the 4Hers how he started out at 16 years old writing about his beloved sports hobby. He would report on high school games he was attending. This is also when he began taking pictures for his stories.
He then talked about his college career and how he was so glad to return to his hometown to work for the newspaper where he began. He is now the editor of this local paper, but his reporting days have not ended. He still loves to go to the local games to report the scores. He also listens to police reports and attends events in the area to report in the news.
He showed us pictures from his portfolio. These included several sporting events, a holiday ballet, and even a special trip to New York he took with his son. He also was kind enough to share with us some unpublished photos that will be used in upcoming articles for the paper. He showed us how important it was to show emotion in the photos to tell a good story. His vacation photos were used to show us how you can tell a story without words. He told us that his ballet photos were some of the best he had taken in his career! We spent the rest of the time asking him various questions about his career. He was very open with us and did a great job of answering all of the questions the 4Hers had for him. Even though he told the 4Hers it was not likely any of them would have the opportunity to join his staff in high school (as he had done), he did tell them that he took help from the local community college. He also told them that there was always the opportunity to submit citizen photos of events (but this would need to be done promptly to be newsworthy)
It was a great experience for our group and we were very thankful for the opportunity.
We ended the meeting with the final discussion of photo-related careers. I gave the group an assignment to choose one of the careers and try 'being' that person. They should take a picture that would be taken in that career sometime in the next month. I look forward to seeing the careers chosen and their related photos!
Here are some of the options they might choose:
Photographer's Assistant
You can start in this
field by becoming a photographer's assistant or apprentice. An assistant may be
asked to perform duties such as carrying, setting up and breaking down
equipment, as well as proofing photos and submitting orders for processing.
Photojournalist
If you crave excitement
and do not mind deadlines, become a photojournalist. As a photojournalist, you
may be employed by a newspaper, magazine or news agency to take photos of
fires, accidents and other news and sporting events. Knowledge of digital
photography is essential.
Freelance Photographer
If you want the freedom
to determine your own work schedule, consider becoming a freelance
photographer. You will have the potential to make more money, perhaps by
selling your work through photo stock agencies or on a contract basis to news
agencies.
Commercial Photography
Commercial
photographers take pictures of various things, such as products, architecture
and models for advertising and product development purposes. You will need
additional equipment such as lighting and magnifying accessories.
Forensic Photographer
Forensic photographers
obtain photographic evidence with highly specialized equipment such as
ultraviolet and infrared photography and optical microscopes. They also use
video equipment.
Still Photography Specialist
As a Still Photography
Specialist, you will play an integral part in the Air Force communications
strategy. After attending an intense 12-week training course on the intricacies
of photography, you will begin your role in documenting Air Force activities.
You will shoot everything from portraits to mission aerial shots. Your
assignments will change often and can take you around the world, so you will
face new challenges every day.
Photo Editor
Some newspapers and
magazines hire photo editors who review photos for publication and make
technical corrections such as adjustments in resolution, size, color and
contrast using photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.
Television, Video, and Motion Picture Camera
Operators and Editors
Workers acquire their
skills through on-the-job or formal postsecondary training. Operate television, video, or motion picture
camera to photograph images or scenes for various purposes, such as TV
broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine
Operators
A decline in employment
is expected as digital photography becomes commonplace. Most receive on-the-job training from their
companies, manufacturers' representatives, and experienced workers. Job opportunities will be best for
individuals with experience using computers and digital technology. Perform precision work involved in
photographic processing, such as editing photographic negatives and prints,
using photo-mechanical, chemical, or computerized methods.
Portrait Photographer
Portrait photography is
a more specialized form that requires artistic flair. Most portrait
photographers are largely self-employed so business skills are necessary to
keep a studio running. There are no educational requirements to be called a
professional photographer. The ability to take pictures that people are willing
to buy is the key to success in this genre.
Industrial or Commercial Photography
Commercial or
Industrial photographers work in different areas of media, such as books, catalogs
or advertisements. Subjects vary from buildings to cars to landscapes. These
images are usually captured on location so the ability to travel is a job
requirement. Training and degree requirements vary as most positions are filled
by freelancers in this occupation.
Studio Photography
Studio photographers,
also known as portrait photographers, specialize in posed pictures of people.
They often focus on specific types of events, such as weddings, parties or
school photos. They work either in their studio or on location. Many studio photographers
own their business and oversee sales and marketing, billing, hiring and supply
purchases. Plus, they must be organized to keep up with scheduling and record
keeping.
Commercial Photography
From buildings to
couture dresses, commercial and industrial photographers take pictures of
diverse subjects. Their work appears on the covers and pages of magazines and
catalogs, and in corporate and consulting reports. Commercial photographers
include engineering, architectural, advertising and fashion photographers. An
engineering photographer, for example, captures photos of factory equipment for
operating manuals. An advertising photographer clicks images of products for
marketing and promotional campaigns. Architectural and landscape photographers
take pictures of buildings and land, sometimes from the air in a plane or
helicopter.
Other Fields
Photographers also work
in a variety of lesser-known fields. Scientific photographers use microscopes
to capture scientific or medical images. University photographers work for
larger four-year colleges, taking portraits of students, professors, buildings
or events for press releases and school publications. Fine art photographers
sell their work to galleries, consumers, interior designers, community centers
and other organizations. Among all photographers, fine art photographers have
the most creative freedom, but because they sell work piece by piece, they need
business management skills.
Fashion Photographer
Glamour Photographer
Wildlife Photographer
Throughout the time we were at the meeting, Henry took different perspective shots. Here are some of my favorites:
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