Shooting for newspaper

[unseen]

Hi Dream Merchant,

Thank you for the prompt reply. I think i will need to start liking events shoot and expose myself to more of such activities. I see alot of events coverage on the newspaper. Perhaps is the way the photographer compose the shot that makes the difference? :think:

Any1 knows whether they use their own eqpt or is it provided by the company? Cos I now only using a Nikon D200.

Thanks

If you're hired by SPH, all your equipment will be provided by SPH. Most of SPH is using Canon though.

BTW if you're thinking of shooting for the papers, about event coverage:

1) Yes composition matters alot. If need to ask, then.... :bsmilie:

2) Composition, exposure, shutter speed control are considered too basic a requirement to even mention. For most photos go observe the significance of all included elements within the frame: including and especially the background.

3) Events: the papers usually only publish 1 photo per event, so.. at each event you usually need only 1 photo. THE photo.
it should conveys strongly either the meaning, the atmosphere, gestures by the most impt person, THE moment etc.

Can you get THE photo within 30 min and 10 shots at each event? :sweatsm:

 

[unseen]

Wow!

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the inputs!! Will surely start building up a worthy portfolio.

As for portfolio, I don't think need have event photos inside, unless it is an very impactful image that will tell a story by itself, and not more than 1 photo from each event.

:bsmilie: I ever remember 1 senior photographer ever commented to someone else: Why do you have photos from random events in your portfolio? Don't you have anything else better?

 

[ortega]

basically your portfolio must make the viewer say wow!

if got event coverage images that says WOW even better
look for examples from the rest of the world

and by event coverage, i mean important events, like say political rallies
disaster coverage, blah blah blah

 

[vonlichenstein]

basically your portfolio must make the viewer say wow!

if got event coverage images that says WOW even better
look for examples from the rest of the world

and by event coverage, i mean important events, like say political rallies
disaster coverage, blah blah blah

use a D3, you pictures will make people go WOW


disaster coverage is good, but difficult to get in singapore. political rallies? :bsmilie:

try to avoid cliched shots that you always see for national day etc.

Best is to read the papers, look at the pictures they have that are taken by their own photographers.

 

[akertesz]

I used to work for both TNP and Today.
I was involved with shortlisting and interviewing potential candidates in the latter.

Basically, what we look for is a strong portfolio with a strong narrative element.
When we look at the pictures, we must know what you are trying to tell us.
Not interested in typical event coverage, candid shots or artsy abstracts.
Best still, you can demonstrate a strong ability to tell a story through a photoessay (opening kicker shot, wide angles, close-ups, basically a variety)....that'll definitely wow editors.

And bearing in mind there are a lot of diary events in Singapore, you should demonstrate strength in taking nice, compelling portraits (those with logo of company behind the person is standard stuff, give something extra). Remember to include also sports/action, business, feature type of pictures in portfolio, cos that's what a photojournalist will shoot when you are working for the papers.

Lastly, know which newspaper you are applying for and shoot accordingly. TNP/ST goes for very dramatic eyecatching pics, and big play on pictures. Today newspaper is not only tabloid size, but the pictures they use are also smaller. So you should let them see that you know the different requirements of the papers by showing some tighter photos, if necessary.

Hope this helps a bit.

Go browse at the ST online gallery or washington post gallery or magnum photo gallery. You will know what to show. Not necessarily must be disaster, war etc......(eg. Bob lee from Mypaper did a photoessay on old folks living in one room flats) if your photos have something to say, in a clear way, we will see them.

 

[arttl]

All you need is:

- A decent set of portfolio. (Might not even need to be related to PJ)
- Show your passion in news photography and why you must be the first guy to reach the scene
- Able to relate a news to the readers thru your pictures
- To forget about sundays, public holidays, Chinese New Year, Christmas, V-Day etc, 9-5 job-lifestyle
- Be prepared to be in all-sort-of situations (Like waking up 4am in the morning n go for an assignment)
- Think fast, move fast, act fast (no time to think of P,A,S,M)
- Understand your images
- To know why you must: Rush to wait . Wait to rush

Carry on this working lifestyle for at least 6-10 years to be called a veteran. (Cos you'll need to get yourself in all sort of situations: Be it beautiful, ugly, dirty, smelly, glamorous, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity etc)

Good Luck!
Jon