HuhYashica
Established
I want to be a photojournalist, but for now I want to be an intern at my local newspaper. So do you have any tips to give me I'll be using a Fed 2 just to let you know.
shootodog
Member
i have a friend that is a pj. he usually packs 1 dslr. 1 rangefinder and 1 primelens point and shoot.
dslr= canon ff + adaptor + nikkor lenses.
rf = leica 6 + 1.2/35 (or is it 2.4/35?)
point & shoot = fujifilm klasse... i think
each serves it's own purpose on a job.
HuhYashica
Established
I would get a Dslr but I'm afraid I might neglect my film cameras. Ya know.
shootodog
Member
film cameras (rangefinders especially) are less visible and smaller than dslrs. some pjs still prefer film over digital. though, nothing beats the dslr for volume shooting.
HuhYashica
Established
Haha Yeah thanks for helping me pic the fed 2!!!!
JayGannon
Well-known
If your shooting for a newspaper it will be all digital but they will have pool gear usually.
Basically dont worry about the gear just go out on the street and shoo shoot shoot until your very good at getting the standard newspaper style photos but of random people ont he street, that way when you have to get them in a press scrum you will be more capable that certain other people.
Good luck with it.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
I suggest you first study the textbook. Available from Amazon, title "Little Bunch of Madmen", subtitled "Elements of Global Reporting", author - Mort Rosenblum. List price $12 plus postage. Published 2010.
If you can graduate from that school you'll do just fine.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
So when you need to do some photos for the local paper that requires a multiple flash setup, how's that going to work with the FED? And does the local paper still have film processing facilities so that they can develop the film, scan it and make the 5pm deadline? Are they going to go along with the whole film thing? And when you're in the back of the room during the press conference and you have a 28mm lens on your camera, and all of a sudden you need to zoom in to get a closeup of the speaker at the podium, how's that going to work with the FED? I had that happen when I was using an M6 and working for AP -- needless to say, I quickly switched to a Nikon in those situations.
I'd probably reserve the FED for when you have the opportunity to do 'environmental' portraits that a) might not have an immediate deadline constraint b) you're able to get close to your subject without any problems; c) you could take advantage of available light situations; c) you can back it up on digital.
Another thing to consider to 'break in' to the business is to freelance for AP. They're always looking for stringers, and though it doesn't pay a lot, it's a good way to learn how to work fast, meet deadlines, and put yourself into interesting situations. They're gonna want it on digital though.
I'd probably reserve the FED for when you have the opportunity to do 'environmental' portraits that a) might not have an immediate deadline constraint b) you're able to get close to your subject without any problems; c) you could take advantage of available light situations; c) you can back it up on digital.
Another thing to consider to 'break in' to the business is to freelance for AP. They're always looking for stringers, and though it doesn't pay a lot, it's a good way to learn how to work fast, meet deadlines, and put yourself into interesting situations. They're gonna want it on digital though.
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Fraser
Well-known
Do you want to be a press photographer or a photojournalist?
Maybe its different in other countries but in the UK no one uses film cameras for news, maybe if you are working for a magazine and want a certain style. Working for newspapers is all about deadlines, if you are a freelance you have to be faster getting your pics to picture desks than the staffers and the agency photographers. The main hurdle is getting the desks to look at your stuff once you get known it gets a lot easier. As for equipment get a wide angle zoom and a telephoto zoom and a DSLR or two if you can stretch that far and a flashgun, and a laptop with a way of sending your pics.
Good luck.
Maybe its different in other countries but in the UK no one uses film cameras for news, maybe if you are working for a magazine and want a certain style. Working for newspapers is all about deadlines, if you are a freelance you have to be faster getting your pics to picture desks than the staffers and the agency photographers. The main hurdle is getting the desks to look at your stuff once you get known it gets a lot easier. As for equipment get a wide angle zoom and a telephoto zoom and a DSLR or two if you can stretch that far and a flashgun, and a laptop with a way of sending your pics.
Good luck.
Damaso
Photojournalist
Work hard on personal projects, not just assignments that the paper gives you. that is what will set you apart and where you will really learn...
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Yup. My sentiments exactly.
I was just thinking about your intentions again, and here's a thought: Use a DSLR for the 'money making' photojournalist stuff, and still have the FED in your bag, but have it as the kind of tool you can use to get photos for yourself while you're shooting the digital stuff for your client (newspaper, magazine, etc). Then, you can create a separate portfolio of that FED work, and might be an interesting thing you can show an editor -- you know, like the kind of shots you were able to fit in while you were doing the assignment. This way, you'll still be able to achieve your goals of working with the FED, but you'll also be able to fulfill the needs of the assignment and the client. And the client is #1, after all.
OurManInTangier
An Undesirable
+1 to the above. I'm a freelance snapper for newspapers and a DSLR plus laptop is essential for that kind of work. If you're going to be on an internship then they'll have gear for you to use but as has been said an RF will stay in your bag most of the time.
It's, like many jobs at the moment, tough work but very interesting and a great way to learn/hone your skills. However pj work is quite different from newspaper work in general. There are a few professional PJ's here at RFF that it may be worth PM'ing for some in depth advice if that's your main interest.
Good luck with the internship when you get it arranged, well worth doing and you'll learn a huge amount from those seasoned snappers you meet even if it isn't quite what you want to do long term
It's, like many jobs at the moment, tough work but very interesting and a great way to learn/hone your skills. However pj work is quite different from newspaper work in general. There are a few professional PJ's here at RFF that it may be worth PM'ing for some in depth advice if that's your main interest.
Good luck with the internship when you get it arranged, well worth doing and you'll learn a huge amount from those seasoned snappers you meet even if it isn't quite what you want to do long term
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
If you are looking for an internship, don't ever believe that the choice of tools is up to you. A FSU camera (or indeed anything with film inside) is at the very best a bizarre gimmick from any local newspaper editor's point of view - as useful as mentioning that you would really prefer to play Malayan nose flute in your first application for a job as a professional electric guitar player...
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Vince Lupo
Whatever
Hey hey hey -- you got something against Malayan nose flutes????? 
bigeye
Well-known
umboody
Established
If I were in your shoes, the issue I would have would be the necessity to process the film for the story's deadline. If the newspaper company you are looking at has its own photographic lab, all's well. If not, professional darkroom services can be hard to find and very expensive. And for something reliable in all situations, I would have to recommend a metered rangefinder or SLR. If you want to stick with the compact solution, I cannot recommend the CV Bessas enough on a tight budget. If you have a bit more cash to splash (and if you make it, who's to say you won't), a Leica M6 suits my needs very nicely.
Fraser
Well-known
The maximum time I will spend after a job editing and wiring will be 1 hour or picture desks start to wonder where your pics are, sometimes I've been on jobs where the phone goes as soon as I've finished taking the pics with a picture desk asking why have you not sent anything. Years ago when I worked as a staff photographer the newspaper had its own dark room and it would take me similar time to process and print but then I would give the prints to production who would scan etc (or whatever they did). So I think its unrealistic to try and think you can work with film especially for newspapers when there is absolutely no advantage.
Picture editors don't care what camera you have as long as they get the picture they need to fit that bit of the paper, if you don't have it they will get it from someone else.
I still enjoy shooting a bit of film
Picture editors don't care what camera you have as long as they get the picture they need to fit that bit of the paper, if you don't have it they will get it from someone else.
I still enjoy shooting a bit of film
ebino
Well-known
learn to shoot video.
emraphoto
Veteran
create a body of work first. you aren't going anywhere without a complete, well edited body of work.
shoot it with a holga, fed or cardboard box if you please.
want to be a wire guy/gal? go get a digital camera.
shoot it with a holga, fed or cardboard box if you please.
want to be a wire guy/gal? go get a digital camera.
ishpop
tall person
I was wondering who would say this first. In terms of reportage of any kind, any source willing to pay for content is looking just as hard at video as still photos.
I have started freelancing to gain as much experience as I can working on short documentary video projects. Production, editing, shooting of course, all the video gear. its a whole new world coming from strait up photography, but a fun one.