Photogs

This week I have been able to shadow the photographers. Photographers are becoming very few and very much needed in the news industry. Photographers are always on call and have to be ready to leave the station at any given time in order to capture any important footage. James and Sean were the two photographers I went out with this week. Each day had its own important lessons to be learned.

When photographers first come into the station they immediately find out who they will be working with as far as reporters during their shift. They are then put on assignment to drive to a certain location to prepare for shooting footage. Each photog has their own way of capturing a story, but they must first learn the basics. Making sure that the camera is white balanced is very important as well as audio levels being stable. Wide, medium, and tight shots are always important in the b-roll.

Other shots that are used are exterior shots, which show the outside of where an interview or incident has taken place. Cut away shots are shots that cut away to a bigger picture and lastly the rule of thirds gives a bigger perspective on the footage being shot. The rule of thirds has to have the main subject slightly in the upper right corner or down in the left corner of the screen and not directly in the center. I was able to have hands on experience, by shooting and editing a VO for the ten o’clock news cast about the St. Jude giveaway. The entire first half of the footage was created by me. I also was able to help one of my teachers edit his package. I learned how to zoom in on a subject in Final Cut ProX while editing as well. Yet again another successful week and I am looking forward to the next.