Shooting for newspaper

[yeoyo]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently serving NS and just took up photography about 6 months ago. I hold a diploma cert and I am very keen in press photography.

May I seek your opinion on how to go about landing a job, shoot for the newspaper like Straits Times? Any bro here working for the press? Do I have to look out for openings in Recruit section? What sort of portfolio should I have?

My interest is in street photography. Dun really like events photography although I tried shooting a few times as volunteer.

Appreciate any comments!

[Dream Merchant]

Write in to SPH to inquire. But that part about you not wanting/liking to shoot events ... will kill any chance you have immediately. What sort of portfolio should you have? Drag out the past one or two months' newspapers and start studying and analyzing, then set your own standards at least two notches above if you want any sort of chance to land employment.

Also, Google is your best friend. Best is you learn to start cultivating a sense of unquenchable curiosity and thirst for knowledge instead of asking others for answers ... especially considering you want to enter into a journalistic, albeit, photography, field.

All the best in your quest.

[yeoyo]

Originally Posted by Dream Merchant Write in to SPH to inquire. But that part about you not wanting/liking to shoot events ... will kill any chance you have immediately. What sort of portfolio should you have? Drag out the past one or two months' newspapers and start studying and analyzing, then set your own standards at least two notches above if you want any sort of chance to land employment. Also, Google is your best friend. Best is you learn to start cultivating a sense of unquenchable curiosity and thirst for knowledge instead of asking others for answers ... especially considering you want to enter into a journalistic, albeit, photography, field. All the best in your quest.

Hi Dream Merchant,

Thank you for the prompt reply. I think i will need to start liking events shoot and expose myself to more of such activities. I see alot of events coverage on the newspaper. Perhaps is the way the photographer compose the shot that makes the difference?

Any1 knows whether they use their own eqpt or is it provided by the company? Cos I now only using a Nikon D200.

Thanks

[vonlichenstein]

Originally Posted by yeoyo Hi Dream Merchant, Thank you for the prompt reply. I think i will need to start liking events shoot and expose myself to more of such activities. I see alot of events coverage on the newspaper. Perhaps is the way the photographer compose the shot that makes the difference? Any1 knows whether they use their own eqpt or is it provided by the company? Cos I now only using a Nikon D200. Thanks

Most photojournalists use their own equipment. For SPH (especially if you're new), you have to use your own gear.

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by vonlichenstein Most photojournalists use their own equipment. For SPH (especially if you're new), you have to use your own gear.

i din't know tat

[vonlichenstein]

Originally Posted by Cheesecake i din't know tat

haha not confirm, its just what a friend of mine who recently started working at SPH told me. more of an acquaintance than a friend.

But for local companies, i doubt they'll be supplying their photo journalists that much gear. doesn't make economic sense for them to do it. They might have some lenses and bodies, but for a hire to use only company gear and none of his own is unlikely.

[Zohan]

Originally Posted by vonlichenstein Most photojournalists use their own equipment. For SPH (especially if you're new), you have to use your own gear.

The info is incorrect. Stringers (photographers who are not employed by ST but shoot for them on a regular basis) have to use their own equipment. Employed staff use ST equipment.

The Zohan.

[vonlichenstein]

Originally Posted by Zohan The info is incorrect. Stringers (photographers who are not employed by ST but shoot for them on a regular basis) have to use their own equipment. Employed staff use ST equipment. The Zohan.

My apologies for the wrong info then. Evidently my friend/acquaintance falls under the former category then.

[jkaiser]

Originally Posted by vonlichenstein My apologies for the wrong info then. Evidently my friend/acquaintance falls under the former category then.

2 yrs ago i went for a photojournalism sharing with zaobao photographers..basically all of them issued with a 1d (mk I or II?), and 3 lenses, wide, normal, telephoto.. i can't remember which lenses but i saw them use 70-200 f/2.8

for special events like sports matches, they sign out the special lenses

[JacePhoto]

The only opportunity is when one in the team retires.

I have seen the same name appearing since i am a kid...

[ortega]

to make yourself more attractive to the company
go and learn to write as well

[kiama]

for interviews with the SPH chinese papers, u will be told to go shoot news worthly subjects in the morning, then reviewed & face to face interview the afternoon. they will also prefer if u can drive, although it's mostly not indicated in their job ads.

[Parka]

Basically, there's no choice as to what type of photography you'll practice.

You'll shoot whatever you're assigned to shoot. So you get to learn everything.

[Clues]

Bro , the below link can help u to improve ur photojournalist photography.
http://www.afp.com/english/home/

Nowdays SPH mostly buying photos from AFP. Save cost mah..no need to send ppl there.
If u r good , once a while they will send u to overseas , but chances very low.

[ortega]

then might as well work for AFP

[csy]

It may seem "glamourous" to be a photojournalist. But like any occupation, it has it's downs which you must be prepared for. Once photography becomes an occupation (photojournalist or whatever), you must remember you don't shoot only for yourself, you have to shoot for the interest of the company or client.

Not wanting to be a wet blanket, the ups are there of course. Like having to use a wide range of equipment at the company's expense or getting to meet a lot of people. The point is about managing your expectations of this job and what the job expects of you.

[Clues]

Originally Posted by ortega then might as well work for AFP

Bro.. AFP not easy to get in. They really risk their life to capture the news. U read newspaper u will find out those solid pics most of them sph bought it from AFP or some other news agency . ( At the picture right side below corner written by who and who or from bla bla bla)

[Clues]

Originally Posted by csy It may seem "glamourous" to be a photojournalist. But like any occupation, it has it's downs which you must be prepared for. Once photography becomes an occupation (photojournalist or whatever), you must remember you don't shoot only for yourself, you have to shoot for the interest of the company or client. Not wanting to be a wet blanket, the ups are there of course. Like having to use a wide range of equipment at the company's expense or getting to meet a lot of people. The point is about managing your expectations of this job and what the job expects of you.

[yeoyo]

Wow!

Hey guys, thanks so much for all the inputs!! Will surely start building up a worthy portfolio.

[ortega]

Originally Posted by Clues Bro.. AFP not easy to get in. They really risk their life to capture the news. U read newspaper u will find out those solid pics most of them sph bought it from AFP or some other news agency . ( At the picture right side below corner written by who and who or from bla bla bla)

want to do something, got to do your best and aim to be the best in what ever you do