Affiliate Program

Photojournalism

Steven A. Arts

Course ID: LC012

Current Openings: Yes

This class helps beginning writers with instruction in how to use a camera, specifically how to take photographs to go along with their own non-fiction magazine writing. Students will be required to own or borrow a 35mm camera or digital camera.

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Course Type:

Self-paced.

Will require you to have a camera, or purchase one. It need not be an expensive camera to start. Attachments are a good idea to have, but not absolutely necessary. Students will have to send in photos via regular mail for criticism and assessment.

Objective:

Learn how to use a camera and how to take pictures to along with your own writing.

Learner Prerequisites

Beginner to intermediate, hopefully with some knowledge of cameras.

Start Date Ongoing, open enrollment.
Duration 6 lessons; one lesson is approximately two weeks long.
Limit N/A
Class Materials

Every student will be required to either own a 35mm or digital camera with lenses, or purchase one. Student must also purchase the following for 35 mm cameras:

  • black-and-white print film;
  • color print film
  • color slide (transparency) film, all 35 mm.

Also for 35 mm cameras, it would help if students have lenses, tripod, and a flash unit, but these are not absolutely required. It would help if students have a basic knowledge of cameras but, again, not required. When sending in photographs, use an SASE with the proper postage.

Cost $200
Tutorial Option Additional mentoring and critiquing is available from the instructor. The fee is $45 per hour. Please contact deanwlc@writinglearningcentre.com to register.

Course Outline

Lesson 1:

Tell your instructor what type of camera you have (whether 35 mm or digital, plus the model). This first lessons will comprise practicing taking photos of various subjects, to get a feel for the camera basics. You must have a camera and know some basics of its use. Practice sessions will include taking a few black-and-white photos or digital. If you can make prints of your digital photos, and send them in regular mail, so much the better so we can avoid viruses.

Further lessons include taking photos of local objects, such as people or buildings, lakes, rivers, and such.

Lesson 2:

Lesson two teaches you how to approach local sources of writing such as local and regional newspapers and about taking portraits of local people.

Lesson 3:

Lesson three will get to the task of teaching you about the different types of 35mm film, including:

  • Black & white
  • Color print
  • Color slide

It will also tell you what film to use for various tasks. The use of the digital camera and computer will also be covered here.

Lesson 4:

In this lesson you will learn about all the different accessories for 35 mm cameras including:

  • Tripods
  • Flash units
  • Studio lights
  • Backdrops
  • Filtered lenses
  • Regular use lenses, such as wide angle and zoom lenses

Lesson 5:

This lesson will cover taking:

  • Portraits
  • Wedding photographs
  • Photos for publication
  • Aerial photos
  • And more

Lesson 6:

This last lesson will tell you how to query an editor and tell him or her that you can take your own photos. You will be encouraged to ask the instructor specific questions about photography.

Instructor Bio

Steven A. Arts is a freelance writer and photographer. He has sold over 400 articles:

  • regionally
  • nationally
  • internationally
  • and online,

And many of them are illustrated with his own photographs.

His photos have appeared in such publications as

  • Income Opportunities
  • The Lion
  • Small Business Opportunities
  • Power Trips
  • Kansas!
  • Playthings
  • And many others

Mr. Arts was also a reporter and society editor for a small daily newspaper, and worked freelance for seven other newspapers in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. His web site is located at www.geocities.com/hoosier553.