Press photography
News in pictures
A press photographer is, first and foremost, a photojournalist.
As a key part of current affairs, it serves to inform and bear witness. News photography often complements the article it illustrates. It helps the reader to understand the context. But it must also speak for itself and convey the whole situation in a single image.
Press photography must tell a story and capture the present without excessive artificiality. Through their images, reporters inform us and bear witness to current events and, at times, to history. Thanks to them, future generations will be able to remember.
Press photography is, above all, a profession driven by passion. It is a highly competitive field where motivation is essential if you are to adapt and make a name for yourself.
Photojournalism is also a constantly evolving field. These days, with the internet and social media, news has to be incredibly fast. As a result, images must be delivered as quickly as possible, and photographers work in near real time.
In the past, professional photographers captured images on film and developed them in a darkroom. The digital age has transformed that process. Photographic coverage is produced consecutively, images are retouched digitally and sent directly to media editorial teams. Proficiency in post-production and software such as Lightroom, Photoshop and Photo Mechanic is therefore essential.
However, certain aspects of the profession and the qualities required remain unchanged. The photojournalist has no control over the location, the composition or the lighting. To capture an original and perfect image, they must therefore know their equipment and their camera inside out. They cannot afford to make any mistakes when capturing the right moment. Nothing must be left to chance: neither the aperture nor the shutter speed. The photographer must be ready for action, ready to press the shutter button.
Most of the time, a press photographer works under time pressure; they must therefore be very quick to react.
However, being responsive and adaptable is far from enough to be a good professional news photographer. As Laurie Dieffembacq, a photographer for the Belgian agency Belga, explains: “For me, the most important quality is anticipation; you have to visualise the photograph before it even happens. You have to keep all the possibilities in mind so that you’re ready at any moment. You also need to be able to convey an entire situation in a single photograph. Creativity is therefore a major asset!”
In a world where almost anyone can take a photo with their mobile phone, a keen eye and technical skill are crucial. To stand out from the crowd, creativity combined with experience are vital. That is what enables you to capture an image that will really stand out.
Working in the press is a job where you don’t keep track of the hours. ‘The downsides of the job are definitely the hours and the fact that you never really know when you’re going to be working. Most of the time, I only find out my schedule for the next day the day before, so it’s almost always a logistical headache when it comes to organising family life. With sport, I mainly work in the evenings and at weekends – it’s never a standard working pattern.’
“The perks are clear: every day is different. You see many things, you learn a great deal and you never get bored. For a press photographer, it is a job driven by passion – it is never easy, but it is worth it!” adds Laurie.
As a vehicle for information, press photography combines creativity, technical skill and adventure.
