COURSE COMPACT
Faculty: Communication and Media Studies Department: Journalism & Media Studies
Course Code: JMS 203 Unit(s): 2 Semester: First
Course Title: Photojournalism
Lecturer: Programme: B.Sc.
(A). BRIEF OVERVIEW OF COURSE
This course will introduce students to the practice of news photography and professional photojournalism. It is designed to teach students to approach situations with an eye toward comprehensive, indepth and authentic photo documentation. Students will also learn Visual Variety in the Photo Story, with focus on image content and effective composition. This includes photo-reporting skills with emphasis on pictures that communicate with aesthetic as well as technical expertise. They will also be exposed to how to edit images thoughtfully and present them on the page. The course will also cover industry expectations for professional photojournalists. Students will receive solid grounding in basic Camera and dark room techniques but with emphasis on the development of the emerging photojournalist’s sensitivity to people, circumstances and events to which he will be expected to take pictures that communicate. Students will be taken through the processes of collecting, editing and presenting news materials for publication with the help of photographs. The course will also teach students how to write captions for the pictures they produce. At the completion of this course, students would have learned fundamentals of photography, operation of different cameras, photography processes and the use of standard photographic equipment and materials in the photo-laboratory. This includes techniques of photograms and photo-Easy. This course can be divided into two segments and taught in two semesters.
(B). COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS
By the end of this course, students will have learned:
Definition of basic concepts (photographs, photography, photojournalism, journalism etc.)
Theory and practice of news photography
Photo-reporting skills
Kinds of photographs
Basic camera and dark room techniques
Meaning, kinds and how to make photo essays and photograms
Visual variety in photo essay
How to write captions for pictures
Fundamentals of photography
Operation of different cameras
Photography processes
Use of standard photographic equipment and materials in the photo-laboratory
Ethics of Photojournalism
(C). METHOD OF LECTURE DELIVERY
- Lectures
- Quizzes
- Assignments
- Practical Classroom Sessions
(D). COURSE OUTLINE
1. Introduction
Definition of key concepts (journalism, photojournalism, photographs)
Brief history of photography and photojournalism
Importance of photojournalism
Course overview
2. Photography
What is photography?
Difference between photography and photojournalism
Types of photography
Photographic techniques
Photography processes
Understanding ISO, shutter speed and aperture
Using exposure compensation
Conquering low light and fast action
Autofocus and metering modes
Controlling your pop-up flash
Shooting RAW vs. JPEG
Basics of composition
Choosing lenses
3. The Camera
Different types of photo camera
Parts of the camera and their functions
How the camera works
Basic camera techniques
4. Photo Editing
What is photo editing?
Photo editing techniques
Photo editing software, programs and mobile App
Photo editor
- as a tool
- as a person
Pixel editing and parametric image editing
How to write captions for pictures
Dark room techniques
5. Photo Essay and Photograms
What is photo essay?
Kinds of photo essay
How to create a photo essay
What is photogram?
How to make a photogram
6. Laws and Ethics of Photojournalism
What is ethics?
Ethical philosophies and practice of photojournalism
Ethical obligations of the photojournalist
Issues in photojournalism ethics
- Posing Vs Accuracy
- Staging Vs Truthfulness
- Recreating, Altering and Objectivity
- Faking Reality and Professional Integrity
- Hidden Cameras, Privacy and Public Interest
- Tragedy, Grief and Gruesome Photos: Professional Vs Humanity Role
- Indecent Photos, Stereotyping and Human Dignity
Introductory overview of photojournalism laws
How mass media laws apply to photojournalism
7. Making a career in Photojournalism
Career options in photojournalism
How to choose a career in photojournalism
8. ICTs and Photojournalism
Understanding the concept of ICTs
How ICTs have impacted photojournalism
How digital technology has impacted photojournalism
ICTs, photojournalism and citizen journalism
Audio journalism
9. Class Activities
Practical exercises and field work
(E). RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Kobre, K. (2017). Photojournalism? The Professional Approach, 7th Edition. New York:
Routledge.
(F). IMPORTANT LINKS
Photojournalism in the Age of New Media
Brief History of Photography and Photojournalism
The life magazine formula for visual variety in the photo-essay
5 types of photos that make for strong photo essays, audio slideshows
What is a Photo Essay? 17 Examples and ideas
Step by step guide on how to make photgram
Quick Guide to Understanding the Different Parts of a Camera
What is Photo Editing?: A Definition
Introduction: Photojournalism and Citizen Journalism
How to become a professional photojournalist
Camera; Darkroom Techniques for More Interesting Prints
Essential Guide to Darkroom Printing
Photojournalism Code of Ethics
Issues in Photojournalism Ethics (We the People)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Intro to Communication I (CMS 101)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Introduction To Communication II (CMS 102)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for History of Nigerian Media (CMS 103)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Traditional African Communication Systems (CMS 105)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Editing & Graphics of Communication (CMS 203)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Foundations of Communication Research (CMS 205)
READ ALSO: Syllabus for Gender & Communication (CMS 303)
