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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Shooting and Writing??
Nick Doan, Photographer, Assistant
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 11:12 AM on 04.12.10 |
->> It was a weekend of firsts for me...I shot the first NASCAR event I've been at in six years. And, I wrote my first story for publication. (ANy comments and critiques would be appreciated.)
http://tinyurl.com/ycjbld2
But, I've realized this is going to take a different mindset. In the past I've shown up for events, shot, and left. Never fully realizing what the score is, paying any attention to the newsworthy happenings off-field, and really not knowing anything about the statistics. And, a post-game news conference or getting quotes? I've never thought twice about those things.
Do any of you shoot and write? How do you prioritize what you are doing?
Maybe I was a little nervous because I haven't written an article in a long time, or perhaps it was because I hadn't ever really had to cover NASCAR before; but, I'm not sure I did justice to both things. |
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J.J. Alcantara, Student/Intern
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Baton Rouge | LA | USA | Posted: 1:51 PM on 04.12.10 |
->> Shooting and writing is quite difficult if you've never done the two simultaneously before. For the few occasions where I have done both, I have two ways of going about doing it.
For more feature-type stories (especially something I have time to work on), I try to set up two different times for interviews and photos/video. I would call my sources to set up an interview, then either go take the photos later in the day or the next.
For event-type coverage, I would usually start the day talking to people, getting quotes and adding sources. Then I'd move to photographing the event; grabbing emotional/storytelling photos. Whenever I go to get their names and such, I'll usually ask them a question or two about the event and write down their quotes. If there is a speaker that I'm not immediately able to talk to them, I would usually bring an audio recorder and just tape their speech, shoot the photos/video, then transcribe the recording afterward.
Hope this helps. Granted, I have had little experience doing both writing and shooting (sometimes adding the third aspect of video), but if you can master it, it's a great skill to have. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 3:02 PM on 04.12.10 |
->> I do it quite often.
My degree is in news writing and in college I both shot and wrote for my college paper.
I still do it occasionally for the paper I staff for now, but I'll mostly write stories about stuff I'm passionate about or stoked on, often they're more feature-y stuff where I can write, then shoot later on.
For event stuff, I mostly blog and do web-coverage, so reporting for a story is not like a print-type story, so it's mostly score/who won and some interesting notes, but I let the photos the story.
Over the weekend, I wrote, shot and gathered audio for a story I'm putting together.
I think it's good for reporter's to have an appreciation and respect for photojournalism and vice-versa for photogs to reporting. Neither needs to be masters of the other trade, but I'm finding having multiple skill sets never hurts.
Here's a recent piece I wrote and shot:
http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/archives/2010/2010-Mar-11/the-montereys.../
~ nic |
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Matt Kartozian, Photographer
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 3:30 PM on 04.12.10 |
->> I write and shoot racing events frequently for blogs, websites and a magazine. My priorities vary a bit by my deadlines. My first priority is to always shoot however. If its for the magazine I usually have a week to put together the story after the race so I can piece together the events that happened that I did not see or know about and I often get quotes over the phone after the race.
For tighter web deadlines I try to get to the finish line (which can be tough as the courses are often spread over 100-300 miles) and get a few quotes and talk to the racers for other interesting info.
Other than that I just try to pay attention during the race and pre race and note what stories develop and kind of wing it later. Knowing the sport and many of the drivers well does help a lot however. |
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Matt Kartozian, Photographer
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Dan Megna, Photographer
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Coronado | CA | USA | Posted: 4:29 PM on 04.12.10 |
->> My first writing and photo assignment was seven or eight years ago at the Baja 1000 off-road race. It was a little overwhelming at first, but I managed to create a nice piece that I'm still kinda proud of. But I'll tell ya, that assignment, and learning to include writing as a product, was a huge springboard for my photography business. Early on, I didn't anticipate how the editorial exposure would create and drive other photo projects my way.
Today, shooting and writing accounts for 70% of my work. Typically, I research and outline a project. I make calls to introduce myself, determine a point of contact, lay out the scope of the project and arrange for photos and interviews.
In most cases, when I arrive on site, shooting photos is my immediate priority. If I'm doing interviews on site I'll use a recorder and note pad. Many times, however, I spend most of the visit shooting, and then conduct interviews over the phone or via email after I return home. More times than not I find VIPs really like this approach. Also, you can never go wrong by collecting business cards and /or contact info for every person you come in contact with.
Admittedly, I'm not as efficient as I probably should or could be, but this work well for me. For magazines, I usually have a couple week deadline, thus the luxury of time for follow up interviews to fill in blanks as they arise. |
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Jeff Brehm, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 4:37 PM on 04.12.10 |
| ->> I've shot and written for many years, usually for newspapers and on a tight deadline. I prefer shooting for the very reason Nick mentioned -- I can show up for events, shoot, and leave. When you're writing, you not only have to stay and chase interviews, you have to process your images when you get back and then write a story -- all before deadline. It can get a little crazy, but for some of us, it's fun. |
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Jesse Jones, Photographer
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Ponte Vedra Beach | Fl | USA | Posted: 4:59 PM on 04.12.10 |
| ->> I started as soley a photographer although I had some writing background. These days I write as many stories per week as our staff writers. It is a different type of balancing act to do both. Challenging for sure. It took me a few stories to switch up my usual routine of coverage. Depending on what the story is I either shoot before or after and then try and fill in with my interviews during the other times so I can be focused on each aspect. Of course that is unless something pivotal happens, then it is drop what you are currently doing and do the other as the need arises. Luckily for me I am at a weekly so that can be to my advantage as far as deadlines go, sometimes. |
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Margaret Bowles, Photographer
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Houston | TX | | Posted: 6:05 PM on 04.12.10 |
| ->> Yes, I was a editorial journalism major and picked up photography later, so the writing comes naturally. It's a nice combination to have, especially for feature work. For example, I wrote a series of golf course reviews for a magazine, took photos of the nicest holes, and got paid to play golf on some lovely courses. I haven't really had to do both on a tight deadline basis, however. I imagine it poses some challenges. |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 7:21 PM on 04.12.10 |
| ->> I'm not trying to be critical here, but I'm of the opinion that even photojournalists, regardless of whether or not they're writing a full-length article about the event, should realize what the score is, pay any attention to the newsworthy happenings off-field, and know at least something about the statistics of the event they're covering. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 7:36 PM on 04.12.10 |
->> I completely agree with Bradly.
Paying attention to the event and what is going on, is going to lead to better photos. You're more "of the situation" and covering that event as a single moment, rather than just "shooting and getting out of there." |
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Nick Doan, Photographer, Assistant
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Scottsdale | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:25 AM on 04.13.10 |
->> Bradley and Nic, I don't disagree with you. But, let me point out to you that not all photo assignments have anything to do with capturing a story. Have you ever been to a car race and been asked to shoot the "start and stoppers"? Has nothing to do with the who wins the race...so if you don't know who won, does it matter? Shot for a trading card company who wants individual actions shots with clean backgrounds...having other players, fans, movie stars or politicians in the photos isn't always desirable. Worked for a sponsor who wants photos of all the signage at a PGA Tour stop...no golfers, no fans, just signs.
There are lots of reasons that you may not pay attention to the facts beyond your assignment.
But, that isn't the point of what I was asking.
I guess I am not experienced enough in the writing side of things. As a photographer, I go in with a plan of what types of images I want, I look for good shooting positions, I consider the light, the backgrounds, etc. As a writer, what I know so far is that you start with who won, stating some details to add context, and throwing in a quote or two is desirable. But, other than that, I have no idea of what I will be writing ahead of time. I guess that is what I am seeing enlightment about. Do writers generally know what they want to write before they get to the event? |
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Bradly J. Boner, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Jackson | WY | USA | Posted: 1:03 PM on 04.13.10 |
->> Nick - If you read what I wrote, I specifically said "photojournalists," not photographers shooting for a trading card company or sponsors, and I stand by my remarks that photojournalists should have a clue what's going on when covering events.
Yes, of course there are circumstances when a photographer might be shooting commercially for one of the aforementioned reasons, but your initial post and subsequent link to your story implied you were covering this event in an editorial capacity, so I was simply offering my opinion that editorial photographers (i.e., photojournalists) should be aware of and ready for just about everything when covering events. |
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Patrick Kane, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Petersburg | VA | USA | Posted: 1:03 PM on 04.14.10 |
->> Nick,
I've done photo / story combos for a while now and the depth of pre-planning varies. If it's a speech by the governor or XYZ Fest I have a pretty good idea of what the story and photos are going to look like, and when I can trade between shooting and scribbling. Feature stories and profiles can be more challenging since you have to go with the flow of your subjects.
I find the main advantage of doing a package by yourself is having control over what elements you want to highlight and how. The main disadvantage is the extra work on deadline!
Like folks have said, I think that writing skills can only help your business and career. I realized in college that my photography was not enough to land me a job, but it helped me land a promotion (reporter>multimedia editor) later. |
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Codie McLachlan, Photographer
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Edmonton | AB | Canada | Posted: 7:57 PM on 04.17.10 |
->> I do both for my newspaper, the Saint City News, which is a weekly 20,000 circulation community paper.
I always try to keep the two fairly separate; if I can, I try to get my interviews done before shooting so that I'm more educated as to the details of the story, thus giving me some preparation time to think of what kind of shot will tell the story.
When I'm at a news event where I have to do both, again, same story. I will get as much information as I can about the event, then if there's time, talk to someone beforehand.
I've actually found that it's not all that different from when I was exclusively a photographer. Sure, I have to write, but I still approach all the photography the same way I did before: show up early, scout, light, shoot as many angles as I can in case I stumble upon a gem. Writing the stories as well as photographing them has made me more passionate about the stories in general, and I think that's a good thing.
Just keep a level head and try not to get stressed about having the added responsibility, and make awesome pictures! |
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Jason Jump, Photographer
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Humble | TX | USA | Posted: 9:04 AM on 04.19.10 |
->> I started out writing and photographing for a small daily in Western Oklahoma back in the late '90s. It was more out of necessity than my skills as a photographer at that point in time.
The actual photographer would set up the film camera and have it ready to go for me, and then she would say okay now point, focus and shoot :-).
All of my stuff was and still is game coverage. Deadlines at that time weren't really that big of a deal, because they weren't until the following day.
Now I publish LSCSN.com and don't have any set in stone deadlines.
And I've been writing and shooting for the last seven years. So it's a handy pocket note pad, pen and camera and away I go.
During football season this year I actually added a videographer feather to my hat, and shot video along side my still photography at the same time. That was quite a hoot. |
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Greg Kendall-Ball, Photographer, Assistant
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 10:01 AM on 04.19.10 |
->> When I got laid off from my full-time position in December of last year, I told my editors at the paper I do stringer work for that I might be interested in writing a little bit, too. They sent me out on a few short features at first, and now I rarely only shoot something. In the past month, nearly every assignment I've done has been writing and shooting. I've even been called to write a story, with one of their staff photographers doing the shooting. Definitely a change from previous years.
Like others have said, the approach I take is varied. I really don't enjoy doing both when I'm under a big time crunch. I don't feel like I do as well with a truncated timeline. But, if I have time to move around, to shoot and do interviews and really develop the story, I find I enjoy it more. I know what my story is going to be, and I can shoot photos that I think work well with the copy. One of my big frustrations when I was just shooting would be the "one-line email" from the editors, telling me a time and a place to be. I often tried to find the writer at the location to see what angle they were taking, so my photos wouldn't be completely disconnected from the story.
Anyway, I think it can be a lot of fun, can be rewarding, and in this economy, every thing you can do to make yourself stick out in the stable of freelancers a paper has access to can help. |
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Richard Uhlhorn, Photographer
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Chelan Falls | WA | USA | Posted: 11:22 AM on 04.19.10 |
->> Ever since I entered the field of journalism in 1988, first as a freelancer for a daily, then a wrtter/photographer for a weekly (15 years) and now for an on-line community website, I have been shooting and writing.
Writing comes pretty easy for me and I approach each assignment with a clear idea of what will be the photograph or photos I need. I also carry a small portable recorder so I don't miss that all important quote, though I hate having to go back and listen to recordings.
Once you've done both, it gets easier and easier. Just remember to write down your actual qotes on an article, news story accurately.
Cheers
Rich |
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Bert Entwistle, Photographer
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Colorado Springs | CO | USA | Posted: 1:31 PM on 04.19.10 |
->> Nick,
Photographing and writing is what I do most of the time.
The good part is for a freelancer like me, the writing generally pays better that the newspaper or magazine photos. Generally I get paid for both the words and the pics, sometimes it's a package deal.
Like Richard said, bring a tape recorder and record everything your subject wants to share with you. Then, before you shut it off, always get their phone number (I like to get it on tape and paper both.) I learned to do this in case the subject has to leave or something goes wrong with the tape or the recorder (I have had both happen.) And, you will probably think up more questions when you get home.
bert |
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