Who is a photographic reporter and what do they do? The job of a photographic reporter is to make pictures of situations and objects which can be used in publications, newspapers, magazines and other media, and which are usually connected with certain written reports, news stories and other information, or with the content or layout of publications.
What are the activities of the photographic reporter? Activities include – taking black-and-white and colour photographs with the aim of describing the situation just taking place in the most vivid manner – taking pictures representing important moments in political, sport, cultural and other fields for insertion in newspapers and periodicals, including the necessary co-operation with the journalists involved – creation of the pictorial parts of publications – processing of picture reportage completed with the photographer’s own texts – specialised photographs if these are required by the orientation of news reports (e.g. under water, in nuclear physics and chemistry for recording phenomena invisible to the eye, for the documentation and filing of meteorological phenomena, in biology, etc.) – picture copying and enlargement, developing of films on reel – retouching negatives and positives – copying, reducing the size, and enlarging, photographs and slides of all sizes – developing, increasing and reducing the intensity of films – colouration and preparation of solutions – making photographic documentation of archive and historical documents – securing photographic archives and documentation – maintaining contacts with editorial offices and publishing houses – possible organisation of the photographer’s own exhibitions.
Where is it done and under what conditions? The job is done in quite a variety of environments – meeting halls, sports stadiums, in the natural world and open air, in the normal urban or rural environment as well as some dangerous places where demonstrations, street riots or even military conflicts are taking place. Changing weather conditions, work outside normal working hours, and sometimes even in dangerous situations must be expected.
What tools/equipment do the photographic reporter use? Working tools include, above all, photographic cameras with accessories (tripods, flashes, objectives), and the equipment of a photographic laboratory.
What do you need to succeed? You need a feeling for situations, an eye for the aesthetic aspects of a photograph, concentration, patience, and quick reactions.