Any advice? Interview coming up

[payn817]

I recently submitted some concert photos to the local paper, the artist is coming to town, and there aren't alot of photos of him from what I gather. Anyway, the editor called me back, and wants me to come check out their facilities, and tag along for a shoot at some local sports games. Some freelance work may be in order, any advice out there?

[Sebastian]

Advice? Here's what I've learned over the last 2.5 years:

Be very strict ethically. Do not move things, do not ask to stage things, do not ask to "reenact" events. When I had my interviews when I began freelance this was the #1 priority for each of the three papers I work for. With digital, it's way too easy to change things. As a PJ your images are part of the public record and are expected to show the truth. Manipulation is still done, but it's clearly labeled as illustration. If news work is something that you think you might get serious about, then always keep this in mind. Be an observer, record what happens as best as you can. There were several high-profile lapses in judgement on both photographer's and editor's parts over the past few years that really tarnished the trust people put in our work. Be aware of it and take it seriously.

You will be on deadline, develop a workflow that is quick and efficient. Find software that lets you caption and edit images quickly. By edit I mean pick, not edit in a Photoshop sense. Get any slugging conventions they may have from the prepress folks and write them down. If you send them in properly slugged, it saves them work, and makes you look better.

Carry two cameras, you will miss too many shots by having the wrong lens on at the right time. It also keeps you shooting if something breaks.

Get rain protection for your camera. If you're out on assignment, you are expected to come back with a shot, no matter how wet you get. Keep your gear dry to keep it functional.

Dress professionally, you are representing the paper, and it makes you look better to a public that generally is weary of guys with huge lenses and notepads asking them where they live and how old they are. Being presentable makes you seem more official, which in turn makes you seem more trustworthy, and it reflects better on the organization that hired you. I'm not talking shirt and tie, you will get dirty in this job. Clean jeans and shoes that are not falling apart, and a button up polo or casual dress shirt are fine for most things. On the weekends my editors are cool with a polo and nice shorts on hot days.

Shoot a LOT. Shoot much more than you think you need. This gets people used to you being there and taking pics, and it helps keep you on your toes for those brief moments that can really make an assignment.

Put together a kit of gear that you know inside and out and that does not get in the way. You want just enough crap in your bag to get the job done. Avoid gimmicks, stick with what works for you.

Carry a flash always, but try not to use it. If you teach yourself to use available light to its limits your photography will improve and you will become more flexible.

Don't ever rest on your laurels. No matter how much you like that last shot, you can do better.

And finally, my favorite quote:

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough." -Robert Capa, before he got too close to mine that killed him, while covering Indochina. (http://www.photoquotes.com)

Journalism is about moments and we can't see those moments if we can't see the detail in the faces. Get close, real close.

[payn817]

Great stuff there Sebastian, and it even comes across passionate. Thanks for sharing this info with me.

Funny thing is, this isn't what I was looking for, it just happened, but I won't let it pass me by easily.

[Sebastian]

Yes, I am very passionate about this. For as long as I remember, the photos that spoke to me the most were journalistic, and that remains to this day. I love seeing a beautiful shot of something that happened, and I strongly believe in the need to tell stories photographically as well as verbally.

The thing about this business is that it's a small market, and it's shrinking. That means that work pays little and is hard to find, and it also means that any screw ups on your part quickly propagate through the community. And your reputation stays with you. If you want to get into it, be serious about it from the get-go. If you don't like it, don't do it, but don't sabotage yourself.

[Sebastian]

Good link:

http://www.sportsshooter.com/message...html?tid=15785

[payn817]

Thanks. I spoke with him again yesterday, and what he wants me for (for now anyway) is sports. I don't shoot sports...owell. We meet this afternoon, and I'll post the results here for those that have any interest.

I am serious enough to want to do it, and do the right thing. Capable enough is another issue, and equipment yet another one. If there's any doubt right now, I'll thank him for his time and pass it up, until more experience and better gear falls from the heavens.

[payn817]

Well, the interview seems to have gone well. I am waiting for word on the start date.

It isn't a real position with the paper, but I will be used as a contributor /freelance shooter.

[Sebastian]

Hey, glad to hear it! Make sure their contract has no "work for hire" provisions. As a freelancer you need to make sure you retain your rights. Typically, to ensure that you don't screw them over and sell images to another paper while working for them, there might be embargo clauses in the contract. I, for example, can't resell images to anyone until 10 days after publication of the story. Not that I would, simply on principle, but they have to protect themselves.