Teaching photojournalism: New year, new textbook, same enthusiasm

It is another year and a new semester, and I couldn't be more excited about getting back into the classroom and back to the roots of what I know - photojournalism. 

I've been teaching photojournalism for more than a decade, and have had to adjust to small and large changes in technology and career expectations over the years.

One of the three biggest changes is requiring students to shoot assignments with a smartphone camera. I really struggled with that change, but it has come to the point when most students don't have access to a DSLR/mirror camera. However, every one of them has a phone with a camera, so they all are able to participate in creating real photojournalism assignments that will be a part of their visual portfolio. 

Although smartphone photography is a directive, I still teach the basics of photography: ISO, shutter speed and aperture controls. I also encourage students who have DSLR cameras to use it for at least one assignment, as long as those cameras have manual mode. Students need to be able to shoot completely on manual so they control light, depth of field and motion. As for the smartphone, they are required to download the Yamera app, or any app that allows them to control the camera settings on their phone. They need to understand how photography works, no matter what kind of camera they use.

There is now an expectation that, at some point in their journalism or communication career, these students will provide their own visuals. In the old days, we either worked with visuals or words. Unions rules, for the most part, kept our skills separate. But those days are gone, and now even audio reporters at NPR are shooting/producing videos and TikToks to tell their stories.

Speaking of TikTok, the second change is that I've added that platform to the curriculum. Even though the U.S. Senate is working to ban federal employees from using TikTok on their government-owned devices, it's still a very important, influential platform. I've been teaching TikTok in the advanced classes for several semesters now, but it's time to add it to the photojournalism classes.

One of the social media platforms I considered removing from the curriculum is Twitter. With the new ownership of Elon Musk, Twitter is not as respected and trusted as it used to be. Claiming 'freedom of speech' issues, Musk has made dangerous, authoritative decisions to censor the press and promote disinformation in the name of 'free speech.' 

However, I still think it's an important way to engage, crowdsource and share content. In fact, I often use Twitter to search for journalists whom I want to have as guests on my two podcasts. Despite the diminished trust of that famous blue checkmark, and other concerning issues, I have decided it's too important to ignore. 

Last but not least, the third change is ditching my favorite, longtime photojournalism textbook, Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach, 7th edition, last published in 2016. Though much of the information is still relevant and timeless, like the two chapters dedicated to law and ethics, it's just too outdated for the modern world. 

The title of the new textbook says it all: Multimedia Storytelling for Digital Communicators in a Multiplatform World, by broadcast journalist and journalism professor Seth Gitner. It was just published this year and covers more than just the photojournalism field, like visual storytelling in entertainment and strategic communication. I can use that book for my other multimedia classes: integrated media at the University of Toledo, and fundamentals of new media and journalism and new media at Wayne State. One book for multiple classes - that's a big savings for students who take more than one class with me.

Because I'm only teaching three classes this semester (I taught four the past two semesters), photojournalism and visual communication and UT and digital photojournalism at Wayne State, I'll hopefully be able to write more posts on lesson plans and instructional how-to stories on this blog, so please subscribe!