Press and Documentary thread
 

Howdy.

I thought I'd open up a thread for those looking to steer towards press and documentary photography. It's not a road most people want to explore, but it sure is the most exciting photography discipline! I've been a professional press photographer for over a decade and started right at the bottom rung of the ladder, so know how tough it is to break into this area.

Cheers
Ben

Hi Ben, now that I'm retired I'm often out with the camera just in case!. As a pro, how do you get yourself at the right place at the right time, is it luck or do you have contacts that feed you tips.

Bob

Hi Bob.

Being in the right place at the right time is pure luck, some of it which you make yourself. Local knowledge is a must and being able to read when things may happen, such as a local football derby clash or knowing that the local river always bursts it's banks and floods nearby houses etc. Weather is always a good bet! [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/gallery/2009/may/31/weather?picture=348166612[/url]

Pure luck is purely that... Right place, right time.. [url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1885498.stm[/url]

Mostly the jobs are set up by our team of reporters (I'm photographing Heather Mills later today, but will be looking around for anything interesting beforehand), but there are plenty of quiet days where you have to chase softer news. I find the softer stuff always makes more creative pictures anyway... [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/gallery/2009/aug/07/balloon-festival?picture=351339085[/url]

Keep your camera with you and you'll soon stumble on events and situations that are newsworthy and publishable.

Cheers
Ben

[quote=BenBirchall;2612]Hi Bob.


Keep your camera with you and you'll soon stumble on events and situations that are newsworthy and publishable.

Cheers
Ben[/quote]


Thanks Ben
but what do we do if we do stumble on a newsworthy pic?

Ed:confused:

[QUOTE=ether;2626]Thanks Ben
but what do we do if we do stumble on a newsworthy pic?

Ed:confused:[/QUOTE]

Don't post it here as that will give PR all the sellings rights :D

[QUOTE=BenBirchall;2612]Hi Bob.

Being in the right place at the right time is pure luck, some of it which you make yourself. Local knowledge is a must and being able to read when things may happen, such as a local football derby clash or knowing that the local river always bursts it's banks and floods nearby houses etc. Weather is always a good bet! [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/gallery/2009/may/31/weather?picture=348166612[/url]

Pure luck is purely that... Right place, right time.. [url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/1885498.stm[/url]

Mostly the jobs are set up by our team of reporters (I'm photographing Heather Mills later today, but will be looking around for anything interesting beforehand), but there are plenty of quiet days where you have to chase softer news. I find the softer stuff always makes more creative pictures anyway... [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/gallery/2009/aug/07/balloon-festival?picture=351339085[/url]

Keep your camera with you and you'll soon stumble on events and situations that are newsworthy and publishable.

Cheers
Ben[/QUOTE]

Hey Ben I see you used to work for the Bristol Evening Post, I knew a few guys from Production there. Shame they shut the Press down a few weeks ago :(

Hello Ben,

I have looked at your website and links from your replies above. If I could take photographs half as good.... I realise too that a successful photograph comes from a 'vision' of composition, as much as being in the right place at the right time. But the quality of the end result is also down to the equipment one uses. So, my question to you, is what kit do you use and when?

Simon

[QUOTE=simonfletcherphotography;2642]Hello Ben,

I have looked at your website and links from your replies above. If I could take photographs half as good.... I realise too that a successful photograph comes from a 'vision' of composition, as much as being in the right place at the right time. But the quality of the end result is also down to the equipment one uses. So, my question to you, is what kit do you use and when?

Simon[/QUOTE]

To be honest, I don't think composition is as important as getting the photo. When something happens you need to be quick on the draw, so having your camera set-up before hand is best, so you are ready to take the shots. Today, newspapers and TV accept shots from camera phones, compacts etcetc, regardless of quality if it illustrates the story. Not everone can have Pro cameras or the skills to use them, what counts more is getting the shot. :)

Yes, I understand Ben, that for the 'fast' world of newspapers and TV, the image, however rudimentary, is the most important factor. But I am also interested in magazines - as you put it, 'softer stuff', with a bit more time, thought and creativity - like your shots of the baloons. That is surely where quality counts? Thus, my question, what kit do you use - and, do you work a lot afterwards in Photoshop?

Thanks for the tips Ben, I've had a look at your shots and they [I]are[/I] very good, I was at a rugby game today practising my sports shooting and I'm sure a few of reasonable quality, if only it had been a major team :)

Bob