Major: Photojournalism
Which magazine at the newsstand grabs your attention? Chances are, there’s a powerful image pulling you in. What did it take to get that great photo? How was it edited for maximum impact?
As a photojournalism major, you’ll learn how news photographers get the perfect shot, and you'll practice creating stunning images of your own. You’ll learn not only the technical side of operating cameras and editing photos, but how to function as a member of a news-gathering team as well.
Photojournalism majors learn how to take and edit photographs for use in newspapers, in magazines, and online.
Did You Know?
- Photojournalism is sometimes a stand-alone major and sometimes a concentration within a larger program, such as journalism or visual communications.
Are You Ready To...?
- Master both digital and 35mm cameras
- Develop an eye for cropping, enlarging, and otherwise editing images
- Learn the latest photo-editing software
- Study media law
- Practice basic reporting techniques
- Work on the school paper or website
- Build a portfolio of your best pics
It Helps to Be...
A visual person with a keen curiosity: photojournalists are reporters with cameras.
College Checklist
- Is the department accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications?
- Are labs equipped with the latest photo and graphic design software? Are they open when you’ll need them?
- Is there a campus newspaper, magazine, yearbook, or website you can work on?
- What kinds of internship opportunities exist in the local area? As a rule, media outlets are more plentiful in larger cities.
- How does the program prepare students for life after graduation?
Did You Know?
- Some schools offer specializations within the major, such as new media, which focuses on the digital side of the biz.
Course Spotlight
Put aside that point-and-shoot digital camera. In photojournalism class, you’ll be expected to use a fully-manual, 35mm camera, shutter speeds and all. And you’ll use it to take photos of all types, from action pics in the arena to portraits of local celebs. You'll be graded not only on your work's technical and artistic merit, but also on your ability to tell a story with photos. In other words, it’s as close as you can get to the real world of photojournalism.
