Introduction:

Journalism is a broad field with various specialisations like sports, film and television, photo, print etc. Of these, one of the leading streams today is photojournalism. It is an integral part of journalism as photographs play a vital role in depicting events. Initially, the term 'photojournalism' was restricted to still photography, but its scope has now widened and photo journalists even shoot videos to come up with a good news item/ feature.

Photojournalism involves application of photography skills and aesthetics to the area of news reporting and journalism. In other words, it is the practice of creating images in order to tell a news story. It includes collecting, editing and presenting of news material (pictures) for publication or broadcast to the news media like newspapers, magazines, television channels, websites and other journals. At times, a single photograph can convey a news story of thousand words. It is the skill of the photojournalist to take photos with such impact

Photojournalists are visual reporters who click photographs at events that makes news. He is a photographer who is able to tell a story with pictures, or contribute pictures to compliment a news story. Photo journalists may work side by side with a reporter to decide which photographs will accompany an article.

A journalist can write about an event or news, as elaborately or in a highly emotional manner as possible, but if it is accompanied by a photograph the subject matter is much communicable to the readers or viewers than a news without images. That explains the worth of photographs in news reporting.

Personal Attributes:

Main attribute required for a candidate interested in this field is photography and editorial skills. Aspirants in this field also need a keen eye for aesthetic detail, and a thorough knowledge of cameras and the technicalities involved in taking pictures, of light, distance and perspective. One must have extra qualities like an interest in visuals, an attentiveness to colour, shape and shadow. Apart from these, candidates require creativity, good power of observation and a curious and perceptive mind. They must also have the ability to work quickly under pressure, in difficult conditions and irregular hours. He/She should be updated on how to use modern gadgets like digital camera and other software in order to develop quality photographs.

Eligibility & Course Areas:

Educational

Photojournalism is taught in most institutes as part of curriculum of a Bachelor's degree or Post-Graduate degree in journalism/mass communication. Hence those interested in this field need to pursue a course with specialisation in photojournalism. There are separate courses for photo journalism offered at certificate and diploma level.

Minimum eligibility for Bachelor degree in Journalism or mass media is 10+2, and for Post graduate degree courses is a Bachelor degree in journalism. Some institutes also provide one year certificate courses in photojournalism for which eligibility is 10+2.

Course in photojournalism covers reporting and drawing, camera operation and lighting, digital imaging, video capture, computer based image processing etc.

» Certificate Course in Photo Journalism

» Certificate in Still Photography and Journalism

» Diploma in Photo Journalism

» Diploma in Photography

» Bachelor of Journalism

» Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication

Institutes:

Some of the leading institutions offering programs in photo journalism as part of the curriculum of other media courses in India are:

• India International Photographic Council & School of Fototechnik (New Delhi),
• Amity School of Journalism & Communication (Delhi),
• Asian College of Journalism (Chennai),
• Bhavan’s Institute of Communication & Management (Mumbai),
• Indian institute of Mass Communication (Delhi),
• Indian Centre for Media & Communication (Pune).
• Symbiosis School of Photography (Pune).

Find out more: https://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/photojournalism_courses_in_india.html

Job Prospects & Career Options:

There are several opportunities available for a photojournalist. Opportunities are open in both print and digital media as both need news worthy photos. Photojournalism is quite lucrative field provided one is determined to make it to the top.

Photo journalists could specialise as a criminal photo journalist, natural calamity photo journalist, political photo journalist, sports photojournalist, fashion/ film photo journalist etc. depending on their nature of work. The main job of a photojournalist is to provide pictures for stories or news articles that provide clear and truthful images corresponding with the topic. They will offer services including photo shoots, photo editing and graphic design services, and writing small editorial pieces to go along with photos. The success of a photo journalist depends on the ability to get the right pictures which are rare and worthy of preserving. Main drawback of this field is the timing. Photojournalists are expected to work long or odd hours. They must be on call to capture a breaking news story.

Employment options: Photojournalist are hired mainly by newspapers, magazines or any other media houses. Many newspapers and magazines have built their reputation with the help of excellent photographs taken by these photojournalists. Photojournalists are also hired by businesses or individuals to take photos for an event or advertisement. They also get chances to work for television stations or websites in staff or freelance positions.

They have another option to work as freelance photojournalists and do work for several companies at a time. Yet another group start their own photography and photo editing/graphic design business on the web to gain potential clients and display their skills. Some photojournalists after advancement in their career, start their own print or online publication.

Challenges:

• First whom to work for. For a newspaper or as a freelancer, or for an agency. Finding a publication sufficiently solvent to buy your work.
• Salaried jobs may be more difficult to obtain as companies increasingly contract with freelancers rather than hire their own photographers.
• In the future, most photojournalists will be self-employed professionals who market their services, buy all their own gear, insurance and take all of the risks for a relatively small per-assignment budget.
• Photojournalists are expected to do much more with much fewer resources.
• Add to this that photojournalists are expected to know how to shoot and edit video, to have advanced Photoshop and other software skills, and to have all of their own digital gear, computers and software.

Remuneration:

Salary of photojournalist depends on the employer and position held by him/her. Generally, at the beginning of the career a photojournalist can earn around Rs.12,000 - 15,000 per month. Experienced ones can easily earn between Rs.25,000 and Rs.30,000 per month.

Newspapers and news agencies pay according to the assignment offered to the photojournalists. Salary increases with experience, hard work and skills. A freelancers income could be unlimited. Those who have acquired perfection in the field are offered high pays by reputed organisations.

Useful Links:

https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/photography-jobs-average-salary/

Bibliography:

career.webindia123.com. (2017). Careers in Photojournalism: Career Options | Photojournalism Careers and Courses in India. [online] Available at: https://career.webindia123.com/career/options/media_entertainment/photojournalism/intro.htm [Accessed 27 Sep. 2017].

Scholarships In India and International. (2017). Photojournalism Courses In India,Course,Institutes,Colleges,Career,Scholarships. [online] Available at: https://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/photojournalism_courses_in_india.html [Accessed 27 Sep. 2017].

Anon, (2017). [online] Available at: https://www.quora.com/What-are-biggest-challenges-for-photojournalists-today [Accessed 27 Sep. 2017].