Shoot Your Trip Like A Photojournalist

These are some basic pointers to help those without professional training to take professional looking photos.

I’m not going to get very technical here, other than to strongly recommend using a digital camera — preferably one without a delay between when you hit the button and when the picture is actually taken. And set it to as large a file size as is possible given the storage space available.

Know the basics

Get comfortable with the technical functions of the camera you’re using – but don’t get too caught up in the gadgetry of it. Mess around with the camera to find a setting that works for you, and stick with that. Most of the special functions on your camera are much more trouble then they’re worth.

Make a plan

As you go into reporting a story , think about the kind of shots that you want to get and what purpose they will serve in the final package. As you go along, keep re-evaluating this plan in light of what seems realistic, what good shots you’ve already taken, and how many different photos you need for your story.

Get Action or Characters

Always try to photograph some sort of action or event that relates to your story if at all possible. Press your sources for some sort of happening relating to the story that will make for good visuals. If it just isn’t happening, fall back taking great photos that humanize the characters in the story.

Be ready

Have your camera out of its case, turned on and ready to shoot as quickly and as often as possible.

Take tons of shots

Erase the bad ones later. You’re more likely to get something good, and as your subjects get used to you constantly taking their picture, they’ll act more natural and forget you’re there.

Don’t be shy

The confidence you exude when taking photos plays a surprisingly large role in the reception you get from your subjects. Act like you know what you’re doing and have every right to be doing it and the people around you will most likely pick up on your confidence and assume the same. On the off chance that someone gets really mad, you can always delete the picture (or just pretend to).

Beg forgiveness, don’t ask permission

Its polite to ask if you can photograph someone, but sometimes it’s a bad idea (unless you’re pretty sure they’ll say yes). If you just do it and they protest…well at least you got a couple of shots in first. Also, once you point out to them that you’re taking their picture by asking if its okay, they’re likely to stop acting natural and start posing.

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Sarah Stuteville writes for The Common Language Project – dedicated to developing and implementing innovative approaches to international journalism by focusing on positive, inclusive and humane reporting of stories ignored by the mainstream media.