Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2020 - 2021
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Description This course is designed for journalism students to grasp the basic digital camera SLR skills in recognition that the ability to do journalism with a still camera is important in today's digital media world. They will also learn how to operate as entrepreneurial photojournalists working on independent long-term photojournalistic projects. Finally they will also gain skills in assessing, analysing and selecting photographs for news purposes that will empower them to act as informed editors and journalists when using visual media. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning Outcomes 1. Take technically competent and journalistically legitimate photographs using manual settings on a digital 35mm camera 2. Explain why one set of settings -- aperture, shutter speed, ISO and white balance-- was chosen over another set for the given image 3. Complete journalistic photo assignments, both self-assigned and assigned by an assigning editor, to entry-level professional standards 4. Demonstrate the ability to act as a professional journalist using a still camera as the primary tool 5. Write appropriate captions for news and newsfeature photographs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Week 1 IntroductionStudents will receive an introduction to the module with detailed information about activities and assignments that they will need to complete. Basic introduction to camera equipment and policies surrounding borrowing and returning them will be communicated to the students.Week 2 ExposureStudents will learn about Exposure; a critical element that determines what is actually recorded on a camera image sensor.Week 3 Lenses and Focal Lengths + Proposal writingStudents will be introduced to Lenses and Focal Length, as well as how to write a winning Proposal and Project Statement. Persuasive, cohesive proposals are key to winning funding for artists/journalist/organisations from private foundations, the government and individuals.Week 4 Composition and LightThe session this week will introduce students to fundamental elements of composition in photography and talk about the nature of light.Week 5 Understanding Photojournalistic PracticeStudents will receive an overview of the practice of photojournalism as it has evolved over time. They will also learn to differentiate between types of images that together make up photojournalism. Finally the question of why photojournalism matters in today's world will be discussed. Students will then work in pairs to study the news images of the day to identify the different types of images that make up the day-to-day photojournalistic offerings in the Global and Irish Press.Week 6 Understanding PhotographsStudents will be introduced to different ways meaning is transmitted through images. They will learn about the relationship of the composition of a photograph with the way they may be 'read' by learning about visual framing. They will also learn about the relationship of the apparent meaning of a photograph with the underlying social structures of knowledge. Working in pairs, they will then apply these visual analysis techniques to analysis of photographs published on that day in major news outlets in Ireland and elsewhere. Assignment 2 worth 50% of total assessment will be made available.Week 8 Using digital social media imagesStudents will learn about using images from non-journalistic sources for journalistic purposes. They will learn about how images sourced from citizens can come to drive the news agenda. They will also learn how to verify images sourced from social media before using them for journalistic purposes. Based on these tools, students will work in pair to find, verify and prepare with journalistic caption a social media-sourced image of news value.Week 9 Using a gender lensStudents will learn how to be sensitive to gendered representations in photojournalistic images they select or produce. As an example, they will learn about best ethical practices when it comes to photographing incidents of gender-based violence. They will also learn about gender-based visual stereotyping in news media. They will look at the case study of how different groups of women in the Syrian conflict have been stereotyped in news images. Based on this the students will work in pairs to identify and analyse the visual representations in the Irish Press.Week 10 Visualising DifferenceIn this week, the students will learn how to produce and select photographs that avoid stereotyping of people who are visibly different and of distant societies -- particularly those embroiled in conflicts or crises. Students will learn from two case studies. The first case is a comparative study of news images of the Bosnian War and the Rwandan conflict. The second case will be a comparative study of images produced and selected by Western photojournalists to depict Afghanistan versus those chosen by Afghan photographers to depict their country. Students will also learn about the 'Breakfast Test' of gauging the graphic nature of images of violence. Students will then work in pairs to work as photo-editors. They will choose a news event of the day from a distant part of the world and will then use newswire databases (AP, AFP, Reuters and EPA) to identify and select appropriate imagery to accompany the news stories.Week 11 Creation of digital portfoliosDuring our second last week, the students will work with the lecturer on editing and designing their photo stories.Week 12 Creation of digital portfoliosDuring our final week, students will work together with the lecturer on editing and designing their photo stories. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List
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Other Resources 0, website, Magnum, 0, Magnum Photos, www.magnumphotos.com, 0, website, VII, 0, VII Photo Cooperative, www.viiphoto.com, 0, website, LIFE, 0, LIFE, www.time-life.com, 0, website, FORMAT, 0, How to Become A Professional Photojournalist, https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/photography/how-to-become-a-photojournalist-guide, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme or List of Programmes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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