By Traci Lewis
Photojournalism in a Digital Age was one of the many workshops held during this year’s annual Southern Regional Press Institute held February 21st through 22nd.
The workshop was held in the John F. Kennedy Fine Arts Building, Room 212. The purpose of the workshop was to help college students understand how images are used to persuade individuals.
Under the guidance of Miss Luetta Colvin, The Press Institute was started by the Savannah State College Press Club from First Annual Press Workshop in 1951.
The first Southern Regional Press Institute, as we know it today, was founded by the late Wilton C. Scott in 1952 as the First Annual Statewide Interscholastic Press Institute.
Savannah State University Mass Communications Professor, Lester Sloan was the speaker, with a consult by founder of the Poynter Institute’s photojournalism program, Kenneth Irby.
Sloan explained “Photos were used as documents, and images were like sign language” and emphasized that photos are part of storytelling. He also provided a brief list of photographers
who were essential to the growth in popularity of photography such as Francisco Goya, Robert Capa and Mathew Brady.
During the presentation, Sloan also explains how images influence media and how images can be manipulative and change or control the perception of the viewer.
While Sloan says images control perception, Irby disagrees, “It does not control perception but it can influence it. Journalist can’t dictate anything.” He said. “Pictures change people and how powerful they are.” Irby continues.
Irby references the iPhone 5 “I am unlimited: Picture Perfect” commercial by Sprint when speaking about how cameras and new technology we use affect us today. “A Billion roaming photojournalist, up loading the human experience” the advertisement says.
At the end of the workshop the speakers provided how to instructions on how to be photojournalist, as well as tips on how to take a good photograph.
* Never refer to yourself as a freelancer; the term implies that you work for free. Irby endorses the term “independent reporter.”
* Be Diverse. Become familiar with multiple mediums. Nobody will hire a photographer who only does still shots.
* Establish a close relationship with the subject. This could allow for more personal access and better photos.
* Make sure that your photos are Informative and tell a story or at least a part of a story.
* The more engaging the photo the better. People are attracted to what happened.
Contributing: Indiah Bell, and Tempest Holliman