Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a student photographer for a school newspaper and yearbook? Well, that’s me. I’m a photographer for the Citadel Post, the Sentinel Yearbook, and the CSPA Journalism Instagram account.

Being a photographer is a very exciting job; you can make connections and learn many great skills along the way. Photography is a skill easily applied outside of school too, like taking photos for your friend and knowing the perfect angle or lighting to make them look amazing.

Photojournalism is a type of journalism that many people don’t recognize. By using photojournalism you get to show another perspective on something that’s happening, such as a football game. Reading about a football game can create images in your head, allowing readers to use their imagination to see what’s happening. However, with photojournalism, you physically see what’s happening, so instead of reading:

“As he ran down the field, being chased by the other team with a second left in the game, he pushed through practically diving into the end-zone. Then, the crowd went wild as he scored the game-winning points!”

This is an amazing image created by very descriptive words. Still, as a photojournalist you get to capture this play actually happening, from the player pushing through the other team, running full speed down the field, or celebrating with his team after the amazing touchdown. Capturing this event in a photo allows the reader to get a different perspective on the play creating a more exhilarating experience for the reader.

Personally, my favorite type of photography to take is live action, such as sports games or volunteer events I love capturing a person celebrating with their team or making a game-winning shot. I get excited sharing that moment of joy when someone is smiling because they’re helping their community or hanging out with their friends. Capturing the emotions of a person can be a very moving sight, watching a player scream with happiness surrounded by their team because they just made an impossible shot that won the game, or a kid with the biggest smile on his face because someone just gave him a doughnut. The amount of emotion you can capture with just the flash of a camera is amazing. 

Tips and tricks 

• Start with stationary objects, like flowers or people posing, to learn how to focus and aim your camera 
• Take photos of things that bring you joy (the photos always turn out better) 🙂
• Constantly take photos, bring your camera everywhere you go, and take photos of everything you see
• Learn lighting and posing 
• Keep trying just because you took a bad photo doesn’t mean you’re a bad photographer 
• Learn from others 
• Always take criticism 
• Learn to edit your own photos because then they will turn out exactly how you like them. 

Featuring Photography by Abby Landers
(Subject Lulu-Abby’s Dog)