PHOTOJOURNALISM COURSE taught by George Lessard
at The College of the Bahamas


Focuses on developing the skill of using the still camera for careers
in journalism, public relations and the print media in general. 
The student learns the basics of camera use and lenses, how to shoot 
events or pre-planned photographs. The aesthetics of the image will 
also be  covered.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

General

To develope in the student the skill, techniques and art of capturing 
the essence of a story in a photograph. How to use a camera to capture 
the "moment" or event to enhance a news story or to stand  alone as a 
visual statement. To shoot photos for newspapers, magazines, public 
relations and other media.

Specific

At the end of the course students should 
a) - be able to visualize content; use the camera as an extension of 
     the eye; know what is visually newsworthy 
b) - be able to use a still camera (35mm) in all of its manual 
     functions (shutter, focusing, aspect ratio, depth-of-field,  
     f-stops) 
c) - know lens characteristics (wide, medium, narrow, telephoto) 
     and the kinds of images they produce 
d) - know kinds of film and the results they produce 
e) - be able to shoot the three kinds of journalistic images 
   -- "spot" news (live events) 
   -- photos to illustrate a feature story 
   -- set-ups (staged events - ceremonies, awards, committees, etc.)
f) - be able to judge and criticize photos and learn something of 
     their aesthetics 




				



COURSE OUTLINE

I  The Camera : Its function, parts & optical theory

A. The lens and the camera 
   1. Function and kinds of lenses 
   2. Focusing and depth-of-field principals 
   3. F-stops (the diaphragm opening) 
   4. Shutter speeds and their effects 
   5. Filters; their use and effects 
   6. Manual versus automatic mode 
   7. Camera formats (35mm & other) 
   8. Kinds of film and their use/effects 

B. Lighting 
   1. Available light and how to use it 
   2. Controlled light (studio & remote) 

C. Editing-in-the-camera 

The importance of pre-planning, how experience helps to get good 
pictures "on-the-spot", getting what you want without wasting
time and film. 




				




II   T h e  "S h o o t s" of journalism & other print media

A. On-the-spot coverage of breaking events (objective photography), 
   shooting to record reality. 
1. Local (fires, crime, politics, sports, public events) 
2. Regional/National/International (war, terrorism, etc.) 
3. Documentary shoots 

B. The Feature Story Photographs(s) 
   1. Photographs to enhance a narrative 
   2. Photographs with captions and little or no narration 
   3. The documentary feature photograph 

C. The "Set-up" shot 
1. The routine of set-ups, the inherent "poses" of the genre; 
   is innovation possible? 
2. Examples of two officials shaking hands, officer installation,
   meeting of committees,  etc.





				




III   Aesthetics and Criticism  of journalistic photos

A. Criteria for on-the-spot photos 
B. Criteria for pre-planned photos 
C. Aesthetics of framing, composition, subject selection





				




EVALUATION

Course work = 75 %  Final exam  or alternative = 25 %

Course work includes photographs taken by students, a "hands-on" quiz, 
a written critical essay. The hands-on-quiz is one in which the 
instructor prepares about two dozens questions concerning the use of 
the camera parts and situations requiring the student's analysis of 
how to solve a photo-journalism problem with the camera.  The quiz is 
administered (about 10 minutes) individually during class time while 
the other students are busy with their photo projects (and waiting 
their turn for the quiz). 
The final exam will be primarily on vocabulary and questions requiring 
more analysis of how to solve journalist "shoot" problems.

ALTERNATIVE

No final. Add one more quiz (written) beyond the "hands-on" quiz. 
A final portfolio of the student/s choice of their best work with a 
short paper on why they chose (detailing the course critical concepts 
that their choices reflect) and handed in during the last week of 
class. 

 Shooting events and on-the-spot photos...........20 %
 Shooting feature story photos....................20 %
 Shooting pre-planned set-ups.....................20 %
 Quiz (one or more)...............................10 %
 Critical essay................................... 5 %
   --------------------------------- Term Mark    75 %
 Final exam..... or alternative...................25 %
                                              -------
                                                 100 %





				




PRE-REQUISITES
COM 250 (for majors). Permission of Department and/or Instructor 

HOURS PER WEEK
Lecturer - 2  Laboratory - 2

TEXT
Milkes, Harvey L.  Photojournalism: A Freelancer's Guide
ISBN 0-8092-5918-4, Contemporary Books, 1981

SUPPLIMENTARY
Garaci, Philip C. Photojournalism : Making Pictures for Publication
ISBN 0-8403-3022-7, Kendall-Hunt, 1983

LAB FEE:  $50.00 

EQUIPMENT
A 35 mm camera (or other suitable camera with all required features 
and parts [full manual capability]) is mandatory. The student may 
use their own camera or one of the cameras owned by the department. 
A lab fee of $50.00 is required and is used to purchase film at 
discount prices for the students to use.

Students are responsible for all costs incurred in getting the 
film developed/printed. 

Students will have to rotate use of departmental cameras 
and use such cameras during class time (laboratory day) 
is encouraged. Students must be able to use camera at night 
and over weekends.

CLASS SIZE
Limit 10- 12 (never beyond) Until such time as the department 
has enough of their own cameras, class size will be held to 
students who have their own camera, plus two-students
per-departmental camera.