Mistral

Hi! I have an amazing opportunity to be a photojournalist while traveling in Zambia over the next couple of weeks. I really want to take meaningful photos. For context, I work mainly with the poor, raising $$ for water. We will be out in the field. I would LOVE any suggestions, input, ideas on how to get that special shot when things are going to be moving fast.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Know your territory. Know your subjects. Be prepared.
--Bob

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

You will probably have deadlines - so use your cell phone so that you can post online create a daily blog etc to increase your following. Remember video too. If using a camera take a spare battery and lots of memory cards. Beware mains electric and check out vehicle chargers instead.

Concentrate on WHY you are there....dirty water, pollution, displaced people, agricultural run off, Industrial waste etc... Less classical poverty shots more on the reality of carrying water over distances and its current sources.

Where you can,, show 'The successful' water supplies made by your charity. The difference this can make with health and well being. Smiley faces....lots of 'charity' promotional signs....aid workers etc

Probably, content and composition will be more important than 'Photoshop' (you can do that when you are at home and your Delhi Belly has stopped........!)

Inquire who owns the photo's .....Those that the charity use and those that they 'discard'. Are they paying you to take photos (so probably own all of them) or are you expected to be a 'volunteer' supplying a few images(so have control of images made in your free time MAYBE) read the contract....Can you use the images in your portfolio....should you wish (ie Limited Ownership for a particular use)

If they are happy to allow you to create your own 'online journal of your experiences' ...then images there may be 'Yours' as they will be 'in the public domain' before your return. Sell it as an additional duty (free)....that way you could have additional use of those images on your return.

Enjoy the experience and make 'contacts'.....who knows what further work this may bring you. Lots of charities in Africa.....all needing photographs!

Have fun and errr...don't drink the water!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Do you actually have a client? If so ask them what kind of pics they want. If not then shoot the good and bad. Include some B&W of the most stark subject (sometimes B&W has more impact)

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KEEP IT SIMPLE ....... VERRRRRRRRRY SIMPLE.

For just one example ... you mentioned getting "that
special shot" :-( Banish that concept from your mind.
Keeping it simple means staying on task. Results will
be what they will be. It's not a contest. It's a job.

.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Shoot lots of pictures, and don't delete anything from the cards till you have multiple backups.

Get close-ups of the people. Emotions are important to show in photographs. Show the hardships they face.

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Who are you shooting for? The charity or a publication? If it’s the charity it’s not really photojournalism. Ask for a shot list, but they’ll probably want pics of volunteers working, ceremonies, posed groups, and project results. They will also expect post processing to “make things look good”. Think cloning and retouching people.

If on the other hand you are shooting for a Newspaper or other journalistic publication your post is restricted by their rules. You should think story (are you writing it or someone else) as you look for shots. Shoot way more than you think you will need.
Have fun!

Hugh

khorinek

As a photojournalist, both for newspaper and now TV, I can offer these suggestions. Always remember the 5 W's. Who, What, When, Where and Why. Who am I photographing (get names and titles if possible), What are the people doing in the photos, When did this event occur, Where did the event occur and Why is this event happening. Keep a small notebook and pen handy and quickly write down the photo number from the camera with a brief description of the 5 W's when you think you have a special shot, or all shots if you can. Keep a camera by your side at all times to capture photos that otherwise may be overlooked or missed. I agree with others on here, keep it simple. Good luck.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

If your trying to get those, IN THE MOMENT SHOTS, when I was a photojournalist we were using manual focus lenses, we preferred 24 to 28 mm, pre set to about 10-15 ft. and shot at F16, we then did not have to worry about focusing and could concentrate on expressions and "in the moment shots".
The less you have to fuss with equipment, the better and quicker your shots will be.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Agree. Use a moderate telephoto to get candid shots of faces. To me those are the most important and the most beautiful.

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

Faces...in focus eyes...and faces.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

Bring a lot of data storage and gather as much "raw material" as possible. Think like a street photographer.

Do not stick to any criteria... advice is good but, you will do better absorbing as much as possible and using your own sense of awareness. Try different approaches and let yourself be creative.

Later, editing and writing will be more productive and your personal style will develop.

(photographer, Journalist, editor)

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

And don’t forget to get low with children.

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

Props to khorinek for a brilliant post and advice. As a retired journalist, I'd add one thing: If you're shooting for a publication, make sure they issue proper credentials. ID, perhaps letters of introduction and anything else that legitimizes your activity.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

If your in a public space there are few restrictions, but if you do single out an individual or child you can run into problems.

Shooting an event or activity that shows people in that setting, is perfectly legal. When a person becomes the sole subject of focus, is where the line is drawn.

In most countries you cannot single out an individual, especially in a derogatory or defamantary manner.