Photojournalism Photography
Understand the purpose of photojournalism and its role in storytelling.
Learn how to capture authentic moments that convey truth.
Practice photographing an event or activity as if for a news story.
Proverbs 12:17 – “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.”
Proverbs 12:17 says an honest witness tells the truth. In photojournalism, the camera becomes the “witness.” The photographer’s job is not to create a story but to reveal what is really happening. A truthful image reports reality. It does not twist it, stage it, or manipulate it to push a false message.
A false witness tells lies. In photography, that looks like heavy editing, removing or adding elements, staging scenes, or cropping in a way that changes the meaning of what happened. When a photo is altered to mislead, it stops being journalism and becomes deception.
So just like Scripture calls people to speak truthfully, photojournalism calls photographers to visually tell the truth. Integrity in photography means letting the moment speak for itself and honoring what actually happened, not what would look more dramatic or persuasive.
Course Content
Introduction to Photojournalism
Definition: Using photography to report news, tell stories, and inform the public.
Purpose: Capture real events as they happen.
Ethics:
Do not stage or alter scenes to misrepresent events.
Be respectful of subjects’ dignity.
Technical & Storytelling Tips
- Composition: Capture the action, the reaction, and the environment.
- Angles: Move around to get the best viewpoint.
- Detail shots: Include close-ups of important elements (e.g., signs, hands, objects).
- Captions: Write who, what, when, where, and why for each photo.
Hands-On Practice
Activity: “Classroom News Assignment”
- Students act as photojournalists covering a staged classroom “event” (could be a mock debate, group project, or mini-celebration).
- Capture at least:
- Wide establishing shot.
- Medium action shot.
- Close-up detail shot.
Write a short caption for at least one of the photos.
Homework
- Assignment: Photograph a real-life event this week (sports game, church service, community activity, family gathering) as if you were a news photographer.
Submit 3–5 photos that together tell the story.