Page 132 - Convergent Journalism an Introduction Writing and Producing Across Media

DIGITAL VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHY

You should aim for steady, sequenced images with meaningful and
compelling natural sound. Notice the word steady. It is important and
separates professionally shot video from what amateurs take. Like the
noises you get from handling a microphone, video shots that wobble
and careen are distracting to your audience.
Video cameras that produce excellent quality images are available
at department stores worldwide. It is how you use the camera that
makes you a storyteller. The best way to keep an image steady is to use
a tripod. A tripod also allows you to shoot longer. If you are tired and
fatigued, you won’t be able to shoot as well.
You can also use the world as your tripod. Dave Wertheimer, news
director at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, looks for tripods every-
where while he is shooting. It might be the hood of a car, a parking
meter, or a tree stump. Anything can be used to help keep your images
stable.

122 Story Building
Every story needs a beginning, a middle, and an end. The best visual
stories fulfill those needs with gripping images. You usually want to
begin a story with an image that establishes the scene, character, and
mood of the piece. The viewer should be intrigued enough to want to
watch the whole story.
The middle is the meat of the story. It’s where you introduce the
characters, the conflict, and the resolution. Sequences are the founda-
tion of the story in the middle of the story. The end is used to sum
up the main idea of the story. Give the viewer a real sense of conclu-
sion. Use the negative action of your subject walking away from the
camera to show the end of the story. It may seem old fashioned, but
the cowboy riding away into the sunset is an excellent way to end your
story.
The most important part of your job as a photojournalist is to stay
safe. You can’t report if you are injured. Avoid situations that could
put you in harm’s way. Your life and limbs are not worth the price
of getting an unusual angle or experiencing a hazardous confronta-
tion. If covering a fire, keep a safe distance and use your tripod. Walls
of buildings collapse and power lines fall when their supports burn
away. Professional firefighters are trained to avoid these dangers. Pay
attention to their direction while shooting.