JMS

235| FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOJOURNALISM

T/R 12:15 - 1:30 CCJ 131 (lab) Fall 2017

Laura Fong
Journalist In Residence & Visiting Assistant Professor
Center For Collaborative Journalism, Mercer University

Office CCJ 123 Phone 478-301-2935 email fong_lc@mercer.edu
Office Hours T/R 10:00 AM 12:00 PM and by appointment or chance

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to provide a foundation in DSLR basics
and the craft of Photojournalism. Students will learn the basics of shooting, the ethics
of shooting and using Adobe Photoshop to edit images, and visual storytelling through
assignments and in-class lab exercises. Students will finish the semester with a
traditional photojournalism portfolio.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
* Learn to use a DSLR camera in Manual mode * Learn basic Adobe Photoshop skills *
Learn to communicate in visual terms and tell a story * Understand the job and
responsibilities of a photojournalist and a storyteller * Learn to edit and critique your
work and the work of others, and receive criticism on your work * Learn to conduct
the proper research necessary to tell a story * Understand and apply a
photojournalists workflow (gear and software) * Learn to write cut lines for photos
using AP style * Understand the industrys ethical principles of practice as a
photojournalist, and also from a publishing perspective * Have a completed portfolio
by semesters end that has been reviewed by your peers, your professors, and working
photojournalists using Adobe Spark *

EQUIPMENT: You will be able to check out a Canon DSLR camera for the entire
semester. By week 3 you will have your cameras and be able to practice shooting
whenever you wish. The camera will be a T6i, you can find the manual HERE. You are
required to provide your own SD cards for use in the cameras, I suggest that they be 16
gig or larger. ($10 and up on Amazon). Additional equipment can be borrowed from the
library for 3 days at a time.

TEXT: The required text for this class is Photojournalism: The Professionals Approach
by Kenneth Kobre. It is available at the campus bookstore across the street.
Paperback: 572 pages Publisher: Focal Press; 7 edition (December 14, 2016)
Language: English ISBN-10: 1138101362 ISBN-13: 978-1138101364

COURSE STRUCTURE: This course consists of lab time where we will do hands on
exercises together, assigned tutorials to watch on your own time, class discussion,
online quizzes, projects and regular presentation of your photos. All assignments need
to be submitted to Canvas unless otherwise specified.

YOUR MERCER EMAIL ADDRESS Is the official form of communication while you are a
student at Mercer. You are responsible for checking your @mercer.edu email address
for all communications regarding this class. I will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Please note that emails and voicemails left after Friday at 5pm are likely to be returned
the following Monday.

SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENTS Assignments are to be submitted using Canvas unless
specified otherwise. You will also be responsible for checking Canvas regularly to find
new content that is posted. You can also set notifications in Canvas to be notified of
course updates, due dates, etc.

GRADING For all assignments you will be graded on both Technical: Understanding and
Use of equipment; AND Technique: Approach, Planning, Creativity, Direction, and
Execution.

Typically, about 10% of students in this class receive an A.

GRADE BREAKDOWN

Photo Shooting Assignments x 6 700

Written Assignments 200
In-Class Assignments 300
Portfolio Assignments 600

Semester-Long Assignments 400
Total 2,200

Grading Scale
90% - 100% A
87% - 89% B +
80% - 87% B
77% - 79% C+
70% - 76% C
67% - 69% D+
60% - 66% D
Below 60% F

ASSIGNMENTS Nothing will be accepted late. Our department has a zero-tolerance
policy about this because journalism is all about being able to manage your time
properly and meet deadlines. NOTHING WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE.

CLASS POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS
1. Students are to RESPECT each other and the equipment.
2. Students are to read/watch any assigned materials prior to coming to class.
3. No food or beverages will be permitted during the lecture or the lab sessions.

CELL PHONE POLICY Cell phones are distracting in class. You will all have a lab computer
for accessing email, files, and news headlines so phones are not necessary in this class.
Your cell phone must be left in your pocket, your bag, or your room. It is to be out of
sight. If at any time your cell phone use disrupts the class, you will be asked to leave.

ATTENDANCE Attendance is required for this class. If you have a good reason to miss
class, be sure you contact me prior to class to let me know you wont be attending by
sending me an email prior to your absence. Life happens, and keeping me in the loop
will always be to your benefit. If you develop a habit of missing class, it will be reflected
in the % of your grade for participation attendance. If you spend your time in my class
on your phone or on the lab computers instead of participating in class, this will be
considered in the attendance and participation part of your grade.

DOCUMENTED DISABILITY STATEMENT (FROM PROVOST OFFICE)
Students with a documented disability should inform the instructor at the close of the
first class meeting or as soon as possible. If you are not registered with Disability
Services, the instructor will refer you to the Student Support Services office for
consultation regarding documentation of your disability and eligibility for
accommodations under ADA/504. In order to receive accommodations, eligible students
must provide the instructor with a Faculty Accommodation Form from Disability
Services. Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Services
office on the 3rd floor of the Connell Student Center. Students with a documented
disability who do not wish to use accommodation are still strongly encouraged to
register with Disability Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each
semester. For further information, please contact Disability Services at 301-2778 or visit
the website at
http://www.mercer.edu/stu_support/swd.htm

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Mercer University operates with an honor system. You have
agreed to abide by that honor code by enrolling in the university. Any violations of the
Honor Code will be referred to the Honor Council.


INTOLERANCE AND HARASSMENT The University is committed to maintaining an
environment in which the dignity, worth, and point of view of all members of the
institutional community are respected. Sexual, racial, religious, and political intolerance
or harassment harm the environment the University seeks to maintain and are
unequivocally prohibited.

OWNERSHIP AND USE Please be aware that the professor may keep copies of ANY and
ALL student work for future teaching purposes only. Your work will always remain yours,
however it may be used for examples in future classes. If anyone has issues with this
policy regarding a student project, it is up to the individual or group to notify the
instructor.

IMPORTANT DATES Fall 2017

First Day of Class August 22
Late Registration & Drop/Add August 22-25
Holiday - Labor Day September 4
Four Week Reports September 22-29
Fall Break October 5-6
Mid Term Reports October 13
Last Day for Course Withdrawal October 27
Thanksgiving Break November 22-24
Last Class Day December 8
Reading Days December 9-10, 13
Final Examinations December 11-12, 14-16

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE BY WEEK (subject to change at profs discretion)

Week 1 Week 3
Introductions, syllabus, goals, journals, Composition and photo basics
and story ideas Brainstorming your photo story and
The Photojournalism industry and story arcs
where you can take these skills Jim Foley Essay Due
News values and sources
#30for235 Week 4
Photoshop Basics, Captions, AP Style
Week 2 Environmental Portrait due
ICONIC PHOTO starts today
News values and sources Week 5
Copyright and Best Practices for sources Ethics, NPPA code, professional
images online organizations
Conflict Journalism, watch The Jim Foley Online Ethics Conference and twitter
Story exercise
Camera settings http://mediaethics.jmc.kent.edu/
First Story Image due Second Story Image Due
 Week 13
Week 6 Portfolio review
Professional Organizations (NPPA) Share #30for235
The Photojournalism Portfolio Apps and Instagram, Facebook
Cell Phone Feature due
Week 7
Fall Break No class Oct. 6 Week 14
State Fair Oct 5-15 Portfolio prep
Feature Photo due Adobe spark
Portfolio review
Week 8 NO CLASS November 22-24
Spot news
The uncommon Week 15
Final touches on portfolio
Week 9 Your formal portfolio review weds pm
Sports Action/Feature Photo Due Final touches on photo story
Freelancing, the working
Week 10 photojournalist
Photo Essay First Draft due Revisit goals
Portfolio First Draft due Saturday
Week 11 #30for235 due
Lighting/Studio Portrait
Week 16
Week 12 One page reflection due
IPhone Photos Goals, Portfolio due