Practical Photojournalism: A Professional Guide

Press photography is not just a career – it's a way of life – and photojournalists have a ringside seat on contemporary history. This book explains how to capitalise on that ringside seat.  Written by an expert in the field, Practical Photojournalism covers the basics of photography from an understanding of the effects of light, aperture, shutter speed, ISO and focusing, to an appreciation of composition, perspective and dynamic range. The core skills of the working photographer are detailed, with reference to areas of speciality in news, fashion, royalty, advertising, sport and war photography, and social history issues. Allied essential skills such as caption-writing, keywording and archiving images are also covered.  This comprehensive book includes invaluable information on the latest developments in picture transmission, the role of the picture desk in the modern newspaper or news agency, the legal aspects of photojournalism and the rights and moral responsibility of the photographer. Finally, a guide to established career paths into photojournalism offers useful sources for further investigation.

The Author: Martin Keene has been a professional photographer for almost 40 years. He took his first photograph at the age of ten and had his first picture printed in a newspaper when he was seventeen. In 1978 he became a professional photographer for Torquay's Herald Express before joining Torbay's News Agency in 1983, supplying pictures to national and local newspapers, television and PR agencies. In 1986 he was appointed staff photographer at the Press Association, Britain's national news agency, for whom he currently works throughout the UK and overseas. His speciality is the Royal Family.