Back to the Newsletter

Bob Gould
Incoming President of the NPPA and currently the Chief Photojournalist at WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

"HEY, CAMERA DUDE, PUT ME ON TV!"
"Without us, we'd be another radio station doing news." This is a phrase heard often amongst TV photojournalists. In an effort to justify our jobs, we devise pithy sayings like that. But in reality we, as TV photojournalists have an awesome responsibility. Awesome has a double meaning here; the first, meaning "gargantuan." The second is what most would think when using that word: "way too cool." The latter is a little easier to understand; it's the first definition that needs explaining.

We have a very gargantuan task as we conquer our daily assignments. We have to bring the event home to the viewer and make them feel as if they were there. We must do this in a clear and concise way, with compelling pictures and meaningful natural sound. Sounds easy, but those in the business know otherwise. It's not "Uncle Joe" at the family birthday party with "Shaky Cam." If it were, we'd all be out of a job. The reason we are called photojournalists is that we tell stories with our video and audio. We must, however, tell these stories in a way that is an accurate representation of the actual event. That's where the journalism part comes in.

HISTORY BOOKS?
Some refer to us as the "modern day history book writers." If this is true, then it is most critical that we portray events fairly and accurately. Think of historical events as we have learned about them. Without photographs to document these events, we had to rely on stories that were either verbally passed on, or written down in newspapers or books. How accurate were these accounts? Hard to say, but with the ability to be extremely accurate in our medium, why screw it up and re-write history? It's not fair to those future generations that will absorb these stories. In these times, the public often distrusts the media. Why give them any more ammunition to say that we have misled or deceived them.

"IF IT WASN'T ROLLING, IT NEVER HAPPENED."
Staging is one of the hottest debates among TV news photojournalists and one that should be saved for another article because you will never get a group of TV PhotoJs to agree on a definition. Some say one shouldn't ask a person to repeat something for the sake of a video sequence or because he or she wasn't rolling. Others say that's OK as long as it doesn't affect the context of the story at all. If we are to ask someone to do something they wouldn't normally do, are we re-writing history?

Why do we do what we do? It's that second definition of awesome that helps us answer that. We get to be places the average person doesn't get to visit. We get to meet really cool people; not just big wigs and celebrities, but people who make an impact in our world, by doing creative things or giving compelling sound bites. We get to touch the lives of people forever by telling their personal story.

I LAUGHED, I CRIED, I'D SEE IT AGAIN AND AGAIN
If a still photograph is worth a thousand words, what does video do? We have a chance to create emotion and touch lives with our journalistic talents. Emotion doesn't necessarily mean every story has to make someone cry. Any kind of reaction can be effective. To make a viewer laugh, cry, cringe, or get angry is all part of effective storytelling.

"HE'S QUITE A CHARACTER"
Part of essential storytelling is finding a good "character" to profile in a story. Police, fire, and government officials can drag down a story with "official-ese." Locating a regular, every day Joe or Jane that will engage the viewer is all part of storytelling. What does this have to do with TV photojournalism? Shooting these folks in a conversational or natural setting using wireless lavalier microphones can make the subject feel at ease and will increase the odds of great sound bites from them.

SURPRISE!
Still photojournalists have to capture an image in one frame and try to make it memorable, while TV photojournalists have an average of 90 seconds. Memorable moments should be sprinkled throughout the story. Give the viewer some WOW! The story should Ebb and Flow. Editing surprises in effectively is just as important as shooting them. Poor editing on a story can screw up a well-shot raw tape.

"FILL 'ER UP AND TURN ON CNN PLEASE"
These days, people get their news from all kinds of non-traditional sources. Go to the gas station and the pump may scroll news headlines. How about grocery store check-out lanes, theater marquis, and your AOL inbox? It is so important, now more than ever to distinguish television news from any other source of news. That's why photojournalism is so important. We can tell meaningful stories that a scrolling marquis cannot. We can bring the viewer TO the story with great pictures and sound.

CUE THE BAND MUSIC
By the way, sound is equally as important as the video. Pictures and sound should complement each other and the sound should be used when it fits right with the video. Natural sound can be used as punctuation in a story or to transition from one section of the story to another. It can also be used to break up monotony of a reporter audio track, but only if it makes sense in the context of the story.

THE SALES PITCH
The future of TV photojournalism isn't quite certain right now, especially with the digital age, the internet, and all the non-traditional media mentioned above. However, the National Press Photographers Association is an organization that will always be around preaching quality photojournalism for both TV and still disciplines. The NPPA is all about photojournalism education with its workshops, monthly magazine, and other beneficial programs. The NPPA is also a strong advocate for 1st amendment rights and the rights of all photojournalists. With a member base of 10,000, it's a professional organization that all photojournalists should consider joining. It's not just a "resume" builder, but an opportunity to meet others in the profession, learn more about the craft, and be rewarded by others in the annual "Best of Photojournalism" contests which showcase the most outstanding TV and still work in the world. The NPPA website (nppa.org) is continually updated with news items, educational sections, and benefits of membership.

 

Back to the Newsletter | Top