Communication students have a lot to learn (or perhaps it’s just me.)
That was what I took from the lecture that George Mason University Creative Services Photographer Alexis Glenn and Creative Services Senior Photographer Evan Cantwell gave this week.
Consider this tip from Cantwell, for example: “If the image isn’t interesting, you need to fill the frame.”
Or this one: “I usually try to bring three lenses,” Cantwell said.
I usually use a point-and-shoot camera with a zoom, so this tip for student journalists surprised me. I never considered buying a camera–or really learning how to use a camera–with multiple, removable lenses. I am focused on the story, not the action that needs capturing with the camera.
I am beginning to realize that my point-of-view on that matter is hurting me career-wise.
I wonder, though, how one gets to the point where one understands how much to focus on images and how much to focus on writing. (You’ll notice that I have included no images in this entry. I think that speaks to my current mentality.)
When I was last working as a reporter, I don’t think I even had a good grasp of how to share my story workload with the staff photographer for my newspaper. We had different ideas and different approaches and this affected the results that we achieved.
Right now, I am covering sustainability issues on my own, so I have control over all aspects of what I produce. I am OK with these multiple hats, and, as a matter of fact, spent today out on the street reporting. I know what I need to do to get the story ready and posted, so I am hopeful that it will turn out well.
While I work on it, I will ponder how best to implement some of Glenn and Cantwell’s other tips, as well. I made note of the following ideas during their presentation:
From Glenn:
-Always take many more photos than you need.
-Seek angles that don’t look staged.
-Use lighting to convey your point.
From Cantwell:
-“Identify the amount of access (that you have in a given setting).”
-“Look for expressions.”
Hopefully no one will notice the confused expressions I will surely wear while I learn and perfect my digital photography and multimedia skills.
I’m glad you are using the presentation to think about how images effect your reporting. I would encourage you to stick to telling stories visually through good composition, waiting for the moment and making every frame dynamic. This can be achieved without fancy gadgets and multiple lenses. I have seen too many folks with very expensive gear take horrible photos. Good composition never goes out of style.