U of Maryland - Philip Merrill College of Journalism
PHOTOJOURNALISM 670 Sections 0301
Spring 2024
Sections 0101
Friday noon-2:45pm
Room 1101, Knight Hall
Dates To Remember
Final Photo Story/Photo Essay Proposals
Due no later than
Friday, March 8th
Midterm Portfolio Presentations
Friday, March 15th
Spring Break
March 16th-24th
Last Day of Class
Final Portfolio Presentations
Friday, May 3rd
Final Exams
Photo Story/Photo Essay Presentations
Friday, May 17th
Instructor
Tim Jacobsen
tmjphoto@umd.edu
tmjphoto@verizon.net
301-471-5887-cell
Mr. Jacobsen is a freelance multi-media journalist based in Frederick, Maryland. He works consistently for The Associated Press, The Washington Post, American Style magazine, Philadelphia Enquirer, Frederick Keys Baseball, Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, Niche magazine, the City of Frederick and other regional publications. He has over 30 years of experience as a still photographer and video journalist, and has taught photojournalism, multi-media journalism and photography for over 17 years at Hood College, the University of Maryland and Frederick Community College. He is also a Visual Media Instructor and Coordinator of Hood College Broadcasting Studios.
Office Hours: I am generally available immediately before class and after class. For students who want to schedule a more extensive appointment, I will work with your schedule and mine. Virtual options include talking on the phone or Skype.
About the Course:
WELCOME: This course is intended to introduce students to the communication field of Photojournalism. Defined as communicating through photography, Photojournalism has historically been viewed as a very powerful tool in documenting the world around us. From community events, conflicts around the world, the political arena, high school through professional sports and the environment, photojournalists are empowered to show to their audience events that affect their daily lives. Truth and accuracy are the keys to good photojournalism. Through the use of weekly “real world” assignments, lectures, discussions and guest lecturers, students will learn the proper visual techniques required to document the world around them. Emphasis on creative thinking and “on your toes” decision-making will be a big part of the class structure. Students will learn how to communicate visually in a journalistic style through the use of photographs. Throughout the length of the course students will learn how to assess their surroundings visually and then capture situations in a creative and thought provoking manner.
OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to introduce students to the techniques and fundamentals of photojournalism. Upon completion of this course each student will have the ability to communicate with their target audience in a variety of visual manners. They will not only learn how to seek out meaningful, thought-provoking images in a wide variety of situations, but will also learn how to develop their own photographic and documentary style. Discussions on ethical standards and the dilemmas that come with working in a fast-paced, get it up immediately world will also be part of the curriculum. Time will also be spent on the ever changing ways that photojournalists capture and disseminate the news; ie. Twitter, Instagram, blogs, Facebook, video capture, etc.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to demonstrate:
1. Competence with manual dslr camera functions and exposure options.
2. Ability to edit and ethically manipulate images using Adobe PhotoShop, Bridge, Lightroom and mobile editing apps.
3. Confidence to document a variety of events, situations and basic journalistic style assignments. This includes having the ability to write a clear and simple AP Style photo caption as well as a “gang” caption or a short photo essay to accompany a brief series of images.
4. Clear understanding of rules, laws and ethical standards that visual journalist need to adhere to. This includes while on assignment and while editing.
5. Be confident to think creatively, react spontaneously and to understand what makes a visually appealing, storytelling set of images.
Ethical Considerations:
All students enrolled in this class are expected to adhere to a set of strict visual standards. We will follow the ethical standards set forth by the National Press Photographers Association. Assignments handed in are required to be your own. It is also understood that students are not allowed to stage, set up or direct situations/subjects that they are documenting. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a Merrill “F” for the assignment.
Equipment:
You must provide:
A digital camera, preferably one with the ability to control settings manually, that has the ability to capture still photos and video clips.
A tripod
SD memory card. 32GB minimum.
A hard drive or other external/portable data storage device
Appropriate cords for attaching recording devices to lab computers.
Grading:
Total Course Points Available 1050
Weekly Assignments 600
Mid-Term Portfolio 75
Class Participation 100
Final Portfolio 75
FINAL PROJECT 200
Mid-Term Portfolio Presentations: (March 15th) A collection of no less then 15 and no more then 20 of your best images from the first half of the semester. These images should be ones not handed in as part of a previous assignment, but can be from any assignment handed out. They can also be images that you took on your own, during the course of the semester. Display type can be a simple Power Point Presentation or shareable Google Slides presentation. (75 Points)
Final Portfolios Presentations: (May 3rd )
A collection of no less then 25 and no more then 30 of your best images from the entire semester. These images should be ones not handed in as part of a previous assignment, but can be from any assignment handed out. They can also be images that you took on your own. Your portfolio needs to include at least four portraits, five event photos, four sports related photos and five feature style photos that include people. You may also include images from your final Photo Story/Photo Essay. Display type can be a simple Power Point Presentation or shareable Google Slides presentation. (75 points)
Photo Story or Photo Essay: (May 17th)
Photo Story (a minimum of 18 images): A self-generated, in-depth story told through images. Your subject matter will be up to you, but should have some sort of connection to the university and should have journalist value. (100 Points)
OR
Photo Essay: A collection of images (12-18) with a common theme or subject matter. We will discuss options and ideas during the semester. (100 Points)
For either option, you must write a 500 (minimum) word story that details your subject, theme or topic that is suitable for publication.
A written proposal will be due before March 10th. (10 points)
Grading Rubric
Adherence to assignment specifics 25%
Understanding of assignment techniques 30%
Grasp of the creative process 30%
Attention to details 15%
Grading Scale:
98%-100%=A+
93%-97%=A
90%-92%=A-
etc
Deadlines: Assignments are due at the end of each class/lab period unless otherwise noted by the instructor or according to the syllabus. Posting to the class blog will constitute handing in an assignment. Points will be deducted from your Class Participation and Deadline (CPD) Grade for late work.
Photographs should portray people, scenes and actions as they are in real life. With the exception of basic editing and color correction, no photographs, scenes or interviews may be staged, directed, falsified, coerced, or otherwise manipulated.
Whenever possible, students will not focus on friends, roommates or family members for interviews or shooting assignments, including the final project, unless they get permission from the professor beforehand.
Students will identify the subjects in their stories for assignments and for the final projects. No anonymous sources without prior permission from the professor.
Students will receive point deductions if they do not come to class with the necessary equipment when requested.
All homework will be turned in on the class blog.
Class Participation and Deadlines (CPD):
If you have a legitimate excuse for turning in an assignment late let the instructor know PRIOR to the class period . This is the only situation where makeup work is allowed. All students start with 100 class participation points. If a student misses class or hands in an assignment late, without the prior approval of the instructor, points will be deducted from that total. Below is the university’s policy on what constitutes an excused absence.
. Below is the university’s policy on what constitutes and excused absence.
- Students must notify faculty members regarding any excused absence in a timely manner. Notification may be prior to class or as soon after the absence as possible. In the case of religious observances, athletic events, and planned absences known at the beginning of the semester, the student must inform the instructor during the schedule adjustment period.
- Students must provide appropriate documentation of the absence. For medically necessary absences, students may provide self-documentation once per semester. While faculty members may ask students for documentation of medically related absences, we ask faculty for some latitude during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Faculty members must provide students with an accommodation for an excused absence. The accommodation may take the form of a make-up exam or another assessment that covers the same material and at the same level of difficulty as the exam or assignment that the rest of the class completed. The makeup assessment must be timely and it must take place at a time and place agreed on by both the instructor and the student. Having a course policy to drop the lowest grade, and using that dropped grade as the accommodation for an excused absence, is not a best practice for ensuring fairness and timely feedback.
Participation:
Class participation is a part of the final grade.
Academic Integrity:
Academic dishonesty, including cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty and plagiarism, will not be tolerated. The college has adopted a “zero tolerance” policy on academic dishonesty. Any abridgment of the university’s academic integrity standards in a College of Journalism course will be referred directly to the dean. The dean will send all confirmed cases to the university's Office of Judicial Affairs with a recommendation of expulsion from the University. Please see Code of Academic Integrity and Student Honor Council for details.
Policies and Student Rights Links
http://www.ugst.umd.edu/courserelatedpolicies.html
Religious holidays:
There will be no tests or major assignments scheduled on religious holidays identified by the university. If you expect to miss a class due to a religious holiday, please notify the instructor in writing before the start of the second class.
Students with Disabilities:
Students with a specific disability (permanent or temporary, physical or learning) needing special accommodation during the semester should make an appointment to discuss their situation.
SCHEDULE
Note: This schedule is subject to change. The instructor reserves the right to modify the schedule at anytime to best fit the needs of the class. Check the class blog for the latest version and information about upcoming homework. The instructor will do his best to inform students about schedule changes. Updates to the blog and group e-mails will be the most used forms of communication.
Week #1 (January 24th )
-Introduction to class dynamic and student expectations. -Construct class blog and sign in all students.
-Discussion on the types/styles of Final Photo Story Projects you will encounter during the semester.
Final Project Criteria: Start thinking about a Final Photo Story/Photo Essay now. A written proposal will be due no later than March 8th.
Lecture
-What makes a good photo? Why do I want to look at this image? Discussion of techniques and compositional skills used by photojournalists. Entry points, visual stop signs, the Rule-Of-Thirds, Color v. B&W and Angle-Of-Attack are all discussed.
-Writing proper AP style captions
-Where photojournalists find story ideas, how they get to the breaking news first, what tools they need to be prepared for the job, how a visual journalist’s job is changing with the impact of web based content and digital recording devices.
HOMEWORK:
Photo Assignment #1 (25 points): Attend a campus/local event and document it visually. The event can be a sporting event, political event, social event or other “happening.” Stay away from house parties, bars and other events where you are a participant or that are inappropriate for class. Look for visually interesting angles. Editing and posting will be done in class. A minimum of three distinctly different images will be posted to the blog. You will need to bring in all your unedited images to class.
Week #2 ( February 2nd )
-Introduction to PhotoShop, Bridge and Lightroom.
-Blog posting requirements for all assignments.
Title: Last name, assignment #
Cutline: Simple two sentence AP style
Labels, last name, assignment #, class section
-Editing Workflow Basics -- cropping, resolution, color correction options.
-Ethical Does and don’ts.
In-class exercise: Edit and post Assignment #1 images to the class blog.
Lecture
-Discussion on different styles of portrait photography. -Posed, semi-posed, environmental portrait, high key and low key lighting, backgrounds, framing. Ethical considerations.
HOMEWORK:
Photo Assignment #2 (50 points): "Portraits" Find an acquaintance, faculty member, athlete, co-worker or coach, and create five distinctly different portraits that say something about the subject’s life, profession, major, personality, background, etc. You may use a friend or family member for this assignment. A total of five distinctly different images will be needed for posting to the blog. Students should be thinking about lighting, environment, background and composition.
Week #3 ( February 9th )
-Final Project Photo Story idea discussion.
-Open question forum on final projects
-Edit and post assignment #2
Ethics: Discussion on visual ethics while shooting and while working in PhotoShop.
-Photo story/Photo Essay: Telling a story visually. Number of images vs. type of placement/publication. The three types of images photographers look for when covering an assignment. How and why each type is important to a balanced photo story. Lots of examples.
In-class exercise: Edit a “shoot” from a real life event. Choose a minimum of one overall, two mediums and one detail image. Be ready to backup your choices. These images will be blended into one file and posted to the blog with a “gang” caption attached.
HOMEWORK:
Photo Assignment #3 (50 points): "Three Is A Magic Number”: Cover a campus or local event or location or situation visually, using the three types of images discussed in class. You will need a minimum of two overalls, four medium and two detail images for posting to the blog.
Week #4 ( February 16th )
-Edit and post photos from assignment #3.
In-class exercise: Discuss and edit a real life assignment.
Lecture
-Class discussion on covering news events like political rallies and election campaigns.
-Looking for the light. How to “see” the light in a situation and how to use that light to your advantage.
HOMEWORK:
Assignment #4 (50 points): “Finding The Light”-Look for images and situations that rely on strong, dramatic light for their visual appeal. You will need 4 to 6 uniquely different images to post. These images must be posted to the class blog before the start of class on February 23rd.
Week #5 ( Feb 23rd )
Ethics and Laws Discussion
LECTURE: When to shoot-not shoot. Laws related to taking still photographs in a variety of situations. The different ethical conventions for editing photographs. Knowing your rights as a photojournalist. Dealing with officials and law enforcement authorities. Class discussion on ethical and moral considerations while gathering material.
In-class assignment: Introduction to 360Video capture cameras and techniques. If possible, do some shooting in-class and around Knight Hall.
HOMEWORK:
Assignment #5 (50 points): “Leading Lines”-Find images/situations that rely heavily on the Leading Lines concept of composition. Think about changing your perspective. High angles, low angles, dramatic angles. Use patterns and textures to “lead” your viewer through your image. Post your best 4 to 6 images.
Week #6 (March 1st)
Screening the documentary Finding Vivian Maier.
HOMEWORK:
Assignment #6 (50 points) : Street photography. Images inspired by those of Vivian Maier and other street style photographers. At least one of your images need to be a Viv inspired self-portrait. Best 6-8 images. Post before the start of class on March 8th.
Week #7 (March 8th)
Lecture
-Shooting and editing on a digital device. Pros, cons and limitations of covering news with an iPhone.
-Discussion on app options for cameras, editing and video. Posting via the Blogger app.
-Discuss Final Project proposals
-Documenting and editing with a smartphone. Possible camera applications to use and editing applications.
Proposals for Final Photo Story/Photo Essays are due.
HOMEWORK:
Assignment #7(50 points): Document your day with your smartphone. Consider the places you go, people you encounter and the situations you are involved in. Be creative, be visual, but do not direct. Best 6 to 8. Images due before class on March 15th.
Week #8 ( March 15th )
Presentation of Mid-Term Portfolios. A collection of no less then 15 and no more then 20 of your best images from the first half of the semester. These images should be ones not handed in as part of a previous assignment, but can be from any assignment handed out. They can also be images that you took on your own. Display type can be a simple Power Point Presentation or a shareable Google Slides presentation.
Assignment #8 (75 points): Mid-Term Portfolio Presentations
Week #9 (March 22nd)
Spring Break
Week #10 (March 29th)
-Critque Street Photography Assignment
-Build your camera kit: With a budget of $12,000, you will need to build your own photography kit. Kits must include 2 camera bodies by the same company, 2 lenses, a tripod or monopod, photo backpack or carrying case and memory cards. The rest of your kit is up to you. Post your “shopping list” to the class blog before the start of class on April 5th. (20 points)
-Discussion on Feature style photography. Sometimes called standalone photography, enterprise art or wild art, these are images that rely heavily on their instant visual appeal.
HOMEWORK:
Assignment #9 (50 points) : “Weather Features”-Its getting warmer out, hopefully. Take a walk around campus or DC or a local park. Look for images that say “Spring”. These images do not have to include people, but they can if possible. You will need 6 to 8 images that can run as a small package. Editing will be done in class. A short, 50 word essay will need to accompany your post on the class blog.
Week #11 (April 5th)
-Edit assignment #9
Lecture
-Discussion on covering a sporting event. The action is just one part of the game. There is a lot of activity that goes on away from the playing field.
Assignment #10 (50 points) “Sports Feature”-Attend a local sporting event(s) and document what is happening away from the field. What’s happening in the stands, along the sidelines, on the bench, outside the stadium, near the concession stand? Think about the quality of the light. Think about leading lines and the ROT. You will need 4 to 6 images.
Week #12 (April 12th)
-Edit assignment #10
Lecture
-Discussion on business profiles and tourism/travel style images. These would be images used more for magazine features or for a tourism council web site.
HOMEWORK:
Assignment #11 (50 points) : Document a business or location for a magazine style travel piece. Exactly eleven images. Variety is key here. Bring all your unedited images to class next week.
Week #12 ( April 19th )
-Edit assignment #11, with a twist. You will play the roll of photo editor and will be editing another classmate’s images.
-When posting, your title should read “Assignment #11, Me posting images by so-and-so”.
Lecture
-Discussion on getting creative with your camera exposure options. Using different shutter speeds or aperture settings to create visual interesting images.
HOMEWORK:
Assignment #12 (50 points): “Manual Exposure Mandatory”- Experiment with different shutter speeds and aperture settings. Find situations where you can show motion or stop motion. Find situations where a shallow depth-of-field or a wide depth-of-field are warranted. You will need three images that deal with motion and three images that deal with DOF. Images need to be edited and posted to the class blog before the start of class on April 26th.
Week #14 ( April 26th)
In-Class assignment. Details will be handed out at the beginning of class. (50 points)
Week #15 ( May 3rd )
Assignment #13 (25 points):
Final Portfolio Presentations
Final Portfolios (75 points)
Presentation of final portfolios
Posting of Final Projects ( May 17th )
Final projects need to be posted to the class blog before the end of your scheduled final time. You do not need to come to class, but I will be in the Knight Hall during finals week to help with final editing and posting, if needed. Late projects will be downgraded.
FINAL PROJECT (200 points)
University Academic Integrity Link
http://www.ugst.umd.edu/courserelatedpolicies.html
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