Any Professional Photojournalists?

[Spearin]

I am wondering if there are any photojournalist pros on this forum? I'm thinking about taking a 2-year Photojournalism diploma at Loyalist College (Belleville, ON) following University (about to start 1st year at U of Saskatchewan for an International Studies BA).

For any photojournalists, mainly what I'm curious about is how you got to where you are at today as a pro? Do you have any advice for someone aspiring to become a pro? What education do you have and how has it been of benefit to being hired or helped out with being freelance?

Even if you're not a pro, but just have experience in a photojournalistic sense, it would be great to hear your answers as well :)

[Halliday]

Photojournalist grad from the University of Iowa here. My advice, go to a big city. Due to a family situation I stayed in Iowa and have had very little luck with photojournalism in the state. The last paying gig I had was for a local shopper paper, shot digital using my own gear, worked about 2 hours and made $10. Can't live off that.

I did get alot of experience working for the Univeristy newspaper. VERY low pay if any any seems to be the norm for photojournalism. Read as much as you can. You don't need to be an expert on everything, but need to know enough about many topics to carry on a conversation with the article subjects.

[S230]

I am wondering if there are any photojournalist pros on this forum? I'm thinking about taking a 2-year Photojournalism diploma at Loyalist College (Belleville, ON) following University (about to start 1st year at U of Saskatchewan for an International Studies BA).

For any photojournalists, mainly what I'm curious about is how you got to where you are at today as a pro? Do you have any advice for someone aspiring to become a pro? What education do you have and how has it been of benefit to being hired or helped out with being freelance?

Even if you're not a pro, but just have experience in a photojournalistic sense, it would be great to hear your answers as well :)My friend (already an experienced photographer) had taken additional photo lesson at Loyalist College and he said he learned a lot. During that time I had the opportunity to joined in one of their field trips which was a good learning experience. I heard that Ryerson University is best and equipped for photography. You may want to look into this. One thing he and I learned is that there is only so much that you can learn in a classroom. You need to gain experience through practice and learn from different people. The most important thing is observation and a desire to grasp any opportunity that comes along. Certain people are just "gifted" with skills that comes naturally but for the rest of us, we have to start from the bottom. Textbooks are good at learning foundation, history and some legal aspects. You should look into becoming an apprentice for an existing pro photographer. This way you can learn practical skills and when you have questions you can also ask that in the classroom.

[PhotosGuy]

I did some of that, but am semi-retired now. I have a B. Sci degree which I've never used professionally, but the background helped in film & print processing. I started as an assistant at an automotive studio & learned more there in 6 months than I would have learned on my own in 5 years! Photography has taken me to Europe & all over the US. I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

I don't know your experience level, but I don't see where you could not get something out of the experience. I'd recommend that you at least audit classes in business & accounting along with the PJ major.

The key is to shoot a LOT & learn from it, whatever you decide to do.

I suggest that you get a copy of 2005 Photographers Market (http://www.fetchbook.info/Photographers_Market_2005.html) & try to get a feel for your potential clients, too. That will give you the 2 years in school to make some useful contacts & maybe some $s, too! ;)

[blinking8s]

Im workin on it! Photojournalism school feels like its slowing me down...lol

[Spearin]

I heard that Ryerson University is best and equipped for photography...
Yeah, my Dad told me that... but I just thought it was the alcohol on his breath and his bias talking since he has his BA in Geography from there ;)

I've got no problems with moving around or to a big city. Only financial concerns for that matter.

Whenever I see photos in magazines, websites, or even on the news... I am always impressed by them, especially in combat zones. Photojournalists have my utmost respect because they are the ones who bring the world to our eyes. They are our witness. I would love to be one of those witnesses.

[PhotosGuy]

Afterthought: A big question to ask is if the instructors are working Pros? Have they EVER been?
Brooks Inst. used to use that system & may still do it. Pay them just enough to get by & make them stay in the real working world to keep them up to date on what's happening. ;-)

[Spearin]

Yeah, I'm not sure of the credentials for the teachers... but I would hope they have previous (or even current) PJ experience!

And actually, since I'm in the Army, there is a group within the Canadian Forces called 'Combat Camera' who are all photographers and videographers accompanying CF personnel all over. I think that could be some good experience if I were to work with them for a few years after College (wishful thinking!)

[PhotosGuy]

Then you should probably read this: "Photographing War" By Peter G. Kokalis
http://www.cameraquest.com/combatph.htm

This was one of my heroes when I was about 12. I bought a book of his WWII pics for $1!
Edward Steichen
http://www.answers.com/topic/edward-steichen
http://www.historicwings.com/features99/steichen/
http://special.library.louisville.edu/display-collection.asp?ID=272
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/galleries/essays/011101.htm

Edward Steichen (March_27, 1879-March_25, 1973) was an American photographer, painter, and art gallery and museum curator, born in Luxembourg. His family moved to the United States in 1881 and he became a naturalized citizen in 1900. In 1905, Steichen helped create the Little Galleries of the Photo-Secession.

In the beginning of the 20th century, Steichen assumed the pictorialist approach and proved himself a master in it. After World War 1, during which he commanded the photographic division of the Expeditionary Forces, he reverted to straight photography, gradually moving into fashion photography.

In World War II he served as Director of the Naval Photographic Institute. After the war, Steichen served until 1962 as the Director of Photography at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Among other, Steichen is appreciated for creating The Family of Man in 1955, a vast exhibition consisting of over 500 photos that depicted life, love and death in 68 countries. (Catalog ISBN 0810961695). As had been Steichen's wish, the exhibition was donated to the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. It is now permanently housed in the Luxembourg village Clervaux [1] (http://www.luxembourg.co.uk/clervaux.html).

[S230]

Yeah, I'm not sure of the credentials for the teachers... but I would hope they have previous (or even current) PJ experience!
So far what I experience is that most instructors have practical experience or working on the side and teaching as a hobby because the pay as teacher is very little. The interesting part is that sometimes you can run into each other in the real world. Just to let you know how small the world can be. Don't want to give names specifically, we live in a different city and I happened to shoot a wedding in his territory. Not only that but he was the competitor (I didn't know at first). The client liked our style and decided to go with us. So you can imagine what it is like taking course in his classroom and competiting against him..

[NGrinerPhoto]

I have an AA in photography with only one class in photojournalism. I work full time now as a staff photographer for a national publishing company in Baltimore. I freelanced for a few years while trying to figure out want I wanted to do with my photography. When one of the papers asked me to come on full time ... I jumped at the chance.

I'm now getting into weddings. The money is much better. Be prepared to be a starving artist. I have a blast doing what I do, but you got to eat.

[bachscuttler]

Anyone else notice the pro's don't have a long list of gear in their signatures? ;) Because they don't need to? :lol:

[Halliday]

When I worked for the University newspaper I carried 2 camera bodies, and I was considered a freak. At that time I had a EOS 1, A2 with grip, flash, 50 1.8, 28-105 3.5-4.5 and a 70-200 2.8 all in a Tamrac bag. I used my journalist notepad for my school work too :)

[Moniphoto]

I am professional photographer but still ....in progress. I am readying lot of things in this camp. I love photojournalism. I already study a lot. But I need to study more...

I hope to do something with this stuff.

I suggest study ...

Moniphoto

[elkootcho]

Brooks Inst. used to use that system & may still do it. Pay them just enough to get by & make them stay in the real working world to keep them up to date on what's happening. ;-)

Regarding Brooks: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-brooks21jul21,1,4669177.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

[bikerider]

I was a full time pro for ten years, mostly photojournalism for bike magazines, couldn't make a living at it here as the scene is too small. The lesson is pick something that a lot of people relate to if financial success is what you're after. I also did weddings for a while but it drove me nuts. After a 3 year break I'm back doing pro work part-time and doing the stuff I love to do, the best of both worlds I reckon. The way I broke into pro work was through my interest in bikes, I made friends in the scene. What's your passion in life, apart from photography? The other advice I would give is become strong in the area of business, if you don't know your worth nobody who hires you will tell you. Also get the best lenses you can afford, keep them and update your bodies as you go.....good luck.......it is a lot of fun in the end.
Roger.

[Moniphoto]

I am gone have to go to a big city too...I can't live of a few $....I am leaving to big city too...:(....If I whant to live :) of this phtography!!! world.

Monica

[blinking8s]

Western Kentucky University wins most of the photojournlism awards. The alumni list is retardedly awesome...lots of Pulitzers and cool things to bragg about. And they all credit the style western taught with. I think they have one 14 of the 16 hearst awards that exist. Pretty damn good record, maybe they just get really good students...but thesystem is pretty tight, only 4 teachers on staff and no matter what your skill level they make your go through the program all the way. They wont even let me cut out of basic black and white photography. Haha

And they have like a 99% job success rate out of college for the PJ program or something, but you have to pay your dues to the system and work some scrubb newspaper jobs if you take the PJ track...usually that is, some people are just THAT good and get lucky with the New York Times mid wage job right out of school and stuff...

I'm transfering to WKU in the fall.