Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course

Photojournalism

Basic composition

Using correct compositional techniques

will ensure you give emphasis to the
subject of your photos. This will give your
photos more clarity and get more people
to stop and look at them.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill

Almost anyone can take a picture,

and most of you probably have, but after
a critical look at your photos you would
probably find there is a lot of wasted
space. Now that you are entering the
profession of military photojournalism,
the focus of every photograph should
be, does this photo belong in the
publication?

Composition | Center of Interest | Focus |

Rule of Thirds | Format | Perspective | Basic Shooting Sequence

The Defense Information School, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland

Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Composition
Composition is a pleasing
arrangement of subject matter
elements. The results of good
composition are a photo that will
capture the viewers attention, make
a clear statement and be pleasing to
the eye.

U.S. Navy photo by MC1 Class Rachael L. Leslie

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Eric Cabral

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alvin Williams

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Center of
interest
The center of interest is the subject
(who or what) and the dominant or largest
in focus element of the photograph. Its
the focal point of the action. Photographs
should only contain one center of interest.
yy Simplicity is gained by eliminating all
distractions to isolate your center of
interest, giving it the most attention.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James B. Purschwitz

The published image to the left is a strong photo,

however there is a lot of dead space around your
center of interest that doesnt add to the meaning
of the image. The cropped photo above tells the
same story, which is more clearly about the Coast
Guardsman.

US Coast Guard Photo

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Focus
Your center of interest should have
the primary focus in your photograph.
To focus is to render an object in sharp
detail. A lack of focus distracts from the
image and can confuse the viewer.
When your center of interest, or
subject, is a living thing, always focus
on its eyes. The eyes are what draw
the reader into the photograph just as
eye contact is used in a face-to-face
conversation to extract more of the
meaning or emotions behind the eyes.
Also, if needed, focus on the eye closest to
the camera so the photo does not appear
out of focus.

DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa Stonecipher

U.S. Army photo by SSG Russell l. Klika

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Rule of Thirds | Format | Perspective | Basic Shooting Sequence

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Rule of thirds
The rule of thirds is used for placement
of your subject in the frame. The rule of
thirds is achieved by mentally dividing
the frame into equal thirds horizontally
and vertically, then placing your center
of interest (and other important subjects
of your photograph, if needed) in or near
one of the four intersections created by
the divisions. This allows the subjects
that have direction to be able to move
into the frame.
Example of a horizontal shot using the
rule of thirds.

U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Angelique M. Perez

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Rule of thirds
Example of a vertical shot using
the rule of thirds.

U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Matthew Jackson

Direction
The rule of thirds allows
subjects that have direction
to move into the frame.

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Format
There are two primary formats for
photographshorizontal and vertical.
yy Use a horizontal format when the
subject matter is wider than it is
tall.
yy Use a vertical format when the
subject matter is taller than it is
wide.

DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa Stonecipher

DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa Stonecipher

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Format
For basic composition, whether in
horizontal or vertical format, the horizon
line in photographs should be straight.
The image below is referred to as a dutch
angle and is used in artistic photography,
but it is not suited for photojournalism.

Photo courtesy of Defense Imagery

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Perspective

Camera angles are the position of the

camera in relation to the subject.

The principles of perspective refer to

the apparent size and depth of an object
within the image. The perspective in
which you shoot the photo can affect what
the photo says.

Low angle

U.S. Marine Corps photo by LCpl Robert Morgan

1. Low viewpoints make your

subjects appear tall or
powerful.
2. High viewpoints make your
subject appear small and nonthreatening.

High angle

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl Neill A. Sevelius

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Basic Composition

Photojournalism

Basic shooting
sequence
In this lesson you have learned about
many of the important techniques that
will help you photograph a basic shooting
sequence.
The basic shooting sequence for a
photo assignment includes a long shot,
medium shot, close-up and extreme closeup. This sequence allows for complete
coverage of the subject.

long shot
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Joseph Cabrera

yy The long shot introduces the subject

and includes the subjects environment
or surroundings.
yy A medium shot narrows the scope of
the story, shows part of the subject
and includes the action.
yy The close-up photo shows detail of the
subjects face and clear action of the
hands.
yy The extreme closeup shows close
detail and does not show the subjects
face.

close-up
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Joseph Cabrera

medium shot
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Joseph Cabrera

extreme close-up
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Joseph Cabrera

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Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course

Photojournalism

Conclusion
Well composed photogrpahs are
what separates an average photograph
from a great one and it starts with the
photographer. Using the basic techniques
covered in this lesson will greatly improve
the quality of your photos, resulting
in better, newsworthy images for your
publication.

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Rule of Thirds | Format | Perspective | Basic Shooting Sequence

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11

Basic Composition

Photojournalism

References

References
London, B., Upton, J., Kobre, K., and Brill, B. (2001). Photography (7th ed.). Prentice Hall
Tompkins, A. (2004). The accidental photojournalist. The Poynter Institute.
http://www.poynter.org/content/content_view.asp?id=65438
Retrieved May 11, 2009
Hurley, G. & McDougall, A. (1975). Visual impact in print.
Kobre, K. (2000). Photojournalism: The professionala approach, Fourth edition. Focal Press
Upton, B. & Upton, J. (1981). Photography. Little, Brown & Co.
Morely, D. (1978). The focal guide to action photography. Focal Press, London England
Kerns, R. (1980). Photojournalism: Photography with a purpose. Prentice Hall
(1987) SECNAVINST 5720.44A: Public affairs policy and regulation.
http://www.cpf.navy.mil/subsite/ehimemaru/legal/Exhibit_11.pdf
Retrieved May 04, 2009
Nikon D70 owners manual
SB800 Flash Manual
BPASC Photojournalism Handbook (2009)

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