Question about photojournalists

I just got a position to be a photographer for my college's magazine but never really had much experience. The portfolio I submited had mostly portrait type shots and landscapes. Which lens is more suitable. I know it depends on the situation, but is a longer lens used more over the wide to normal lens?

Photojournalism covers many different situations... headshots, environmental portraits, groups, street candids, events, news, etc. It takes all types. You have a really excellent kit for photojournalism... both bodies, both zooms mounted and the prime nearby.

You have a great kit for photojournalism. You will probably use your 17-55 the most as you can grab a quick portait or group shot without having to change lenses.

Your 70-200 will be ideal for those events on campus where you have "talking heads" at seminars or conferences and you have to shoot from the back of the room. This lens is awesome in low light situations too. So if you are shooting indoors, just crank up the 40D to 1600 ISO and grab heaps of shots.

Since you have two bodies - put your 17-55 on the 40D with the flash and the 70-200 on the XTi... then you will have 90% of situations covered.

Thanks for the info. Yeah I figured that I would have to use the 17-55 the most but just wanted to get more opinions. I did plan on using both bodies so we'll see how it goes.

Another suggestion.

Pick yourself up florescent green and CTO gels for the flash. When I shoot press conferences and such, I use them when appropriate. Makes for a much more pleasant experience.

What does the green and cto gels do?

hsma wrote in post #5963122
What does the green and cto gels do?

Good question--- I have shot a lot of press conferences and am now going ......huh.

Those gels are used to match the output of the fill flash to the interior lighting in particular situations. You then set a custom WB based upon the interior lighting and you're ready to shoot.

Otherwise, if you mix interior lighting with fill flash, you'll get a real mess, since the flash is "daylight balanced".

There are some interesting alternative techniques, too. For example, using a fill flash outside, use a gel so that the flash puts out a tungsten balance, and set your camera's WB to match... that will make all the background area go sort of bluish, and make the subject lit by the flash primarily really stand out against it. It's a neat effect, but can be overdone if not careful.

Experiment!

Hmm sounds interesting Ill give it a try.

amfoto1 wrote in post #5963509
Those gels are used to match the output of the fill flash to the interior lighting in particular situations. You then set a custom WB based upon the interior lighting and you're ready to shoot.

Otherwise, if you mix interior lighting with fill flash, you'll get a real mess, since the flash is "daylight balanced".

There are some interesting alternative techniques, too. For example, using a fill flash outside, use a gel so that the flash puts out a tungsten balance, and set your camera's WB to match... that will make all the background area go sort of bluish, and make the subject lit by the flash primarily really stand out against it. It's a neat effect, but can be overdone if not careful.

Experiment!

Indeed.

Florescent lights are balanced by the green gel. CTO (color temperature orange) balance tungsten lights (incandescent bulbs). You can get sample packs at your local camera shop, or a sheet is about $6, and will make lots of squares. Tape it over your flash with some gaffers tape, and all the lights will match in color.

Do NOT use the wide angle adaptor to hold the gel in place -- the heat will melt the gel into the flash.

Good info. I learn something new everyday. Thanks Alan.

I'll agree with most that you have a kit that would cover pretty much everything.

One thing you should make sure of is that the magazine doesn't take away any of your rights, especially without compensation. And after a while you'll know that bylines are not compensation, no matter how fun it is to see your name there.

I am getting no compensation whatsoever but I made it clear that the images being submitted is not giving them ownership to use it whenever and my copyrights still apply. I think this is a great opportunity to get involved in school and allow me to do what I love. This also allows me to learn more about photography and I think photojournalism is a great aspect of photography.

Can I add a notebook and a pen?
Sometime, it's help to remember whom you are photographing, where, when... etc. especially if you do more than one event by day. Also, don't forget some spares batteries and spares flash cards.
You can also try to meet the persons you are going to photograph before the event. Why? Simply the persons knows you are here to take a picture of him/her and they look at you more often.

Good luck with your new position! Enjoy it like I do.

When I work for the local papers I normaly have a 16-35 on one body and a 70-200 on the other were not allowed to use the 35-70 range as it "produces boring photos"

youll also need a off camera flash cable or a st-e2
part from that I think your set