How does photography shoot news?

Ensure the authenticity of news photography in the digital age

Nowadays, with the advent of the digital age, news photography has undergone revolutionary changes. From the practical application of digital camera in news photography, it really brings great convenience to photographers. Especially in major, sudden and emergency events, its advantages are beyond the reach of traditional film cameras. For example, in flood fighting, earthquake relief and other occasions, the reporter quickly released the manuscript after taking pictures at the first time, so that the news can meet the readers at the fastest speed, which is incomparable to traditional cameras. But at the same time, it also brings some hidden dangers and disadvantages, which makes the authenticity of news photos face unprecedented challenges.

Authenticity is the life of news, and it is also the life of news photography. The truth of pictures is the life of news photography. As far as news photography is concerned, no matter what the purpose and means are, it is to subvert the truth of the subject, that is, to falsify and spread fake news. From the development history of news photography, we can clearly see that even before the appearance of high-tech digital cameras, false news photos still existed. In addition to distorting the facts in the text description, it is not uncommon for counterfeiters to use the real images taken by traditional cameras to scrape, cut and paste, splice and superimpose in the darkroom, and replace trees with flowers to create synthetic images taken without lenses. What's more, some people use "head-changing" to create "news" out of thin air. Therefore, the fundamental problem of maintaining the authenticity of news lies not in what camera to use, but in whether the people who use the camera have a correct concept of news photography, a noble professional ethics of news, and a spirit of pursuing and defending the truth.

The purpose of news photography is to report facts and record history. This task can only be accomplished by photography itself, and only by photography itself. If news photography is false because computers are involved in reporting facts, it means that in a few years, our history will change beyond recognition.

In recent years, fake news photos have become more and more serious, and there is a trend that is difficult to control. For example, the explosion of the tallest building in China (produced by PS), the photos of a newly married couple taking to the streets during the SARS period (the reporter asked two young people to pretend to be newly married couples), the photos that won the grand prize of the World News Photography Competition, and the recent "South China Tiger Photo" incident! Another example is the news picture of "Qinghai-Tibet Railway opens a life channel for wild animals" shot by the photojournalist of Daqing Evening News, which was reprinted by many media in China and won the bronze award of the annual "Influence 2006" news picture. After verification and my confirmation, it is a PS composite map.

In the face of one fake photo incident after another, how to deal with the influence of digital technology on the authenticity of news photography, I think we should work hard in the following aspects:

First of all, we should improve the quality of photographers and establish good professional ethics. As a photojournalist, we must use completely true images to reflect news facts, and we can't modify and process images subjectively, or even make news images. A photojournalist who violates journalistic ethics to falsify is cheating and blaspheming readers and peers, and it is also the biggest taboo for photojournalists. Digital technology is only a means and tool of news photography, so photographers should have higher professional ethics and ethical character and a stronger sense of responsibility in the information age than in other times. The basic principle of news is truth, and only true news has infinite vitality and persuasiveness.

Secondly, news photographers must insist on "snapping". In the interview method of news photography, snapshot is a main shooting method and an important means to avoid the distortion of picture news. In news photography, the images taken have strong advantages in both external form expression and internal form information transmission. From the external form, on-site snapshot can capture the most real picture, which is essentially different from the director and the director. The images produced by directors are generally rigid and stylized, while the snapshot is taken when the subject is in a natural state, which conveys a strong live atmosphere and makes people feel immersive. From an internal point of view, live snapshots can convey information more effectively. The captured image contains a lot of information, because the atmosphere, the feelings of characters and the development of events are all concentrated in the moment of capture, and each link contains a lot of information. At the same time, due to the high credibility of the pictures from the scene, the photo dissemination effect will be better. Modern readers living in the era of reading pictures are eager to see fresh and personalized photos. An excellent news picture is not produced by the director, but collected by photographers after they go deep into life. For example, I won the National Metropolis Daily Gold Award, "Good People Don't Be Deceived by These Illusions" and the photographic work "Twenty-five Years Like One Day" won the Silver Award in Jiangsu Province, all of which were captured on the spot in my life.

In addition, a photo editing post has been specially set up. In the era of reading pictures, a photo editor should be a photographer with a global vision, an organizer, planner and director of photo reports, and a bridge between photographers and page editors. In the process of news dissemination, the photo editor is in the important position of "gatekeeper". Picture editors should look for pictures with qualified imaging technology and conduct technical checks; Choose photos with appropriate content, and make photos accurately convey information on the layout, and check the content; From the perspective of readers and subjects, we should carry out moral checks. In addition, photo editors should also have news sensitivity, strong writing skills and know layout design. The structure of news pictures consists of two parts: picture image and text description, and text description is an important part of news photography. When dealing with photos, photo editors should pay attention to the influence of text description on the authenticity of photos; We should prevent some low-level mistakes in names, places and figures. In the post-production of news photos, we ask the photo editor (or photographer) not to make computer modification and darkroom treatment of news photos except general technical adjustment, such as tone adjustment and light addition and subtraction, and insist on the authenticity of news image information and the accuracy and objectivity of news dissemination to ensure the credibility of photo reports. The cutting of news pictures should take the transmission of basic information as the criterion to ensure the integrity of the author's works. The later modification of digital photos can only be limited to the adjustment of color saturation, brightness, contrast and other image quality. We must resolutely abandon the abuse of digital technology to improperly delete, replace, adjust and synthesize "superfluous things" in news photos, which violates the principle of authenticity of news photography.

With the increasingly fierce competition in the newspaper industry, it is very important to set up photo editing posts. The reason why this point is particularly emphasized is that from the current reality and development situation, news photography in China is in a period of rapid development. For every news newspaper, although everyone from the boss to the department director and page editor is concerned about news photography, it is the photo editor who is really responsible for editing and executing the audit. Thus, picture editing is a special and important role. Whether his professional level is competent, whether his work status is serious and whether his assessment is scientific and rigorous is directly related to the level of news photography propaganda work in a newspaper. In the past, the identification of true and false news photos was mainly based on the text description of the pictures. It's different now. With the intervention of computer, the visual image of news photos, the main component, becomes complicated. What is the "original image" and what is the processed "synthetic image" is difficult for ordinary people to recognize with intuitive eyes. And experienced reporters and editors who know both photography and computer and news photography have much higher ability to distinguish authenticity than ordinary people. For example, an original picture should be shot in the same illumination direction; However, in the computer synthesized images, due to the inconsistency in the synthesis of multiple images, the light irradiation directions in the images are often confused. Most people tend to ignore these details, because they have no experience in shooting light, so it is difficult to find flaws, and experienced photo editors can see through the clues exposed by composite images at a glance. For another example, the visual perspective of an original picture is consistent because of the use of a focal lens, while the computer-generated composite image is composed of more than two images, and these images cannot be shot with the same focal lens, so there are bound to be many loopholes in the perspective principle and law. Without these common sense of perspective, it is difficult for ordinary people to recognize it, and it is easy for picture editors to feel the abnormality in perspective and distinguish the authenticity. It can be seen that the news media has set up a photo editing system, so that photo editors who know both photography and computer use and have rich practical experience are responsible for reviewing news photos, and the inaccuracy of news photography can be greatly reduced.

General news

1. Go backstage

Take reporting on political elections as an example. News media usually only show readers a set of photos-the public side, the campaign team has planned and organized activities. Editors should publish optimistic photos, not pessimistic photos; There is only a picture of happiness without sadness. Photographers keep taking photos of candidates shaking hands and smiling-these photos simply can't show the true personality of the people who will be in charge of the city, state or even the entire US federal government in the future.

1) Observe but don't talk: Should the observer be found?

2) Shut your mouth

3) Keep quiet

Expressions and gestures reveal emotions.

5) Inevitable and accidental moments: The facial expressions and hand movements of the speaker may be accidental or misleading. They probably can't represent the personality of the characters or convey real information, and they can't reflect the topic itself or the personality of the speaker at all. Such misleading photos do not help to reveal the true state, but only distort news and current affairs.

6) Props enrich the picture information: If someone holds props in their hands, readers will understand the intention of this photo faster.

Step 2 shoot the topic itself

Take political news as an example, most political proposals can be turned into photos. If the mayor says that the education in the city is terrible and must be improved, photographers must find evidence to support this statement. Is the school overcrowded? Do students have to sit around the corridor after class and do nothing? Does the racial conflict between African-American students and white students still exist? A series of real photos can turn a politician's speech into a visible proposal.

However, photographers often spend too much time taking big photos of politicians, but don't spend too much energy digging deep into visual images that can affirm or deny politicians' political views.

When shooting campaigns, elections or other competitive scenes, photographers have the same responsibility as journalists to remain objective. A super wide-angle lens can make a small house look spacious. Strong light and ghosting, like mysterious magic, can turn a gentle speaker into a cruel instigator. To make matters worse, photographers, like journalists, can only report one side of the story and completely ignore the other side of the truth, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Avoid stereotypes

Don't take public relations photos that politicians want to see in the newspaper the next day. It's very important to catch things other than public relations photos. From a photographic point of view, avoid simple photos that you must record when you hear anything.

4. In-depth reporting

Even with the best photography technology and extraordinary photographic ability, it is still difficult for photographers to distinguish between city Council meetings to discuss increasing taxes and meetings to reduce regional schools. The difference between the two meetings lies in what the members of the Committee said. Photographers must translate the speaker's language into pictures to show the theme.

Two. portrait

Taking a news portrait of a scientist cannot make him look like a steel worker. Shooting a proactive person is naturally different from shooting a shy and introverted person. In order to make the portrait reflect everyone's story, photographers will use two methods: posing and capturing. Snapshot photography can take real portrait photos without using a lot of carefully set scenes or lighting. The key to this matter is to know the subject, use the light, and then wait for that moment.

1. Relax your theme

If someone feels uncomfortable in front of the camera, the best photography technology in the world can't take a portrait that reveals his heart. Photographers invented many different techniques to make their subjects feel relaxed.

1) Details: The most successful photojournalists will study why their subjects are involved in news events. In the process of taking photos, the topic generally focuses on the relationship between the subject and the news story. When people's attention is gradually focused on the conversation, they usually forget the existence of the camera, which allows the photographer to control the situation and take snapshots at the right time. The best advice often comes from the subject.

2) Eye contact: Many photographers don't use the viewfinder to shoot portraits. They prefer to watch the composition of the LCD screen, so as to keep visual contact with the subject.

3) Relaxing people: The secret of posing is to study the person you want to shoot. From the first time you see them, you should observe the natural body language of the characters when you start to decorate the lights or the background. Pay attention to what kind of body posture they are most comfortable in, and start taking pictures from their most natural standing posture. Then, if their body posture becomes stiff, their hands are tightly attached to their sides and their faces are looking straight ahead, you can remind them to change the posture they just saw. Although you are guiding them to do actions, the actions you suggest are natural, not imaginary.

4) Boring topic: If you have enough time, fatigue tactics are a good way. If you wait long enough, most subjects will get tired of posing. At this time, you can take pictures of them casually relaxing, which is natural.

5) Let others talk to the subject: Because it is difficult to debug the camera and have a deep conversation at the same time, some photographers will shoot when this person is interviewed. If the accompanying photographer doesn't interview reporters, find a friend to go with him. Under the action of conversation, the subject will gradually relax and become more and more energetic.

Tell a story with light

Whether it is soft side light or direct vertical light from above, different light gives different emotions to the picture. Photographers use bright light with only a few shadows. This kind of photo is called "high profile". When a picture needs more depressing emotional effects, photographers often leave a big shadow on the picture when the light runs out.

1) Understanding lighting

In order to add a three-dimensional sense to the face of the subject, the position of the person can be arranged so that the main light falls directly on one side of his or her face. Different from the direct illumination of the front light, the side light enhances the three-dimensional sense of the portrait. In addition, the side light can also emphasize the texture of facial details. This technique is especially suitable for outlining a person's face to highlight his personality.

Another method is to set an enlarged flexible frame near the camera lens to eliminate the shadow on the person. This shadowless light source is usually called "butterfly" light, which is mainly used to eliminate facial wrinkles and bring young faces to the subject.

2) looking for light

3. Composition to enhance the visual effect

1) Close-up and panorama

The final effect of the picture depends on whether the photographer is close enough to take a full picture of the model's whole face or stand back and take a full picture of him. For example, a close-up will bring the characters closer to the readers, thus making the readers have an extraordinary sense of intimacy with the characters. Because body language and clothing help reveal the personality of the model, photographers sometimes have to take a step back and put the whole body of the character into the lens.

2) Avoid using complex backgrounds.

The complicated background can easily distract readers from the characters in the film. Background affects the readability of a photo, which requires the subject not to get lost in a pile of details in the environment.

3) Tell stories with props

Usually, the items in a character's hand or the badge he or she wears can help tell a story. These props add visual information and help readers see things other than the main face. These props can also remind readers of the news elements of the portrait, the location where the photo was taken, and the props in the picture can show the occupation, habits and interests of the task.

4. Reveal the "character's heart"

1) Face: Of all the elements in a photo, the importance of the face is completely out of proportion to its own area. Photographers usually choose a photo taken when people are talking, laughing or frowning to match the news content. When the newly appointed mayor is worried about journalism, the photo may show him with a frown.

2) Eyes: Many photographers believe that when readers make eye contact with the characters in the portrait, they can participate in it to the maximum extent.

3) Body language: Hand movements can tell people's stories silently. A news photographer won't press the shutter until the speaker raises his hand to do something when shooting a speech. When taking portraits, you should pay attention to the actions of people playing with their hair, touching their chin or holding their cheeks. The action of a person biting his nails represents that he feels a certain degree of tension in this situation.

Conceive photos in advance

When given the task of taking portraits, many photographers will imagine what the photos will look like in the future before arriving at the scene. Even if you have a preliminary idea about photos, once you have any new and better ideas, don't hesitate to discard the old ones immediately. Be flexible. Your pre-conceived ideas, positions and poses may be great, but when facing the real subject and shooting scenes, it should open a new door of inspiration for you.

5. Rich environmental details and picture information.

Faced with a portrait photo in the studio, or a photo of a person who is talking happily, readers can't tell whether it is a banker or a robber. The wrinkles on one's forehead or the direction of one's eyes are of little help to a character's past, career or news value. In environmental portraits, whether you choose to take photos at home, in the office or at the interview site, the location should best reflect the theme of the report.

Technically, environmental portrait photography is no different from other portrait shooting methods. Photographers use ordinary lenses and wide-angle lenses when necessary. In order to get a clear background, you need to set the depth of field to the maximum. You can increase the depth of field by narrowing the aperture, which requires a slower shutter speed. Using a tripod will ensure that you are free to use long exposures-as long as the characters can stay still.

6. Group portrait

1) Show everyone's face: The basic requirement of a formal group photo is to show everyone's face as clearly as possible. This role needs careful planning to be completed. It may be useful to arrange people to stand side by side, but more people will make this "human wall" too long. On the contrary, it is better to arrange people to stand in rows and rows.

2) Soft light is the best: For group portraits, the most effective way is to use soft light to minimize shadows.