Photojournalism 2015-16
Instructor: Mr. Frank McCleary
Work Phone: 224-1315, ext. 324
Room: 913
E-mail: [email protected]
Plan Hour: 4th
I. Course Description:
This students in this course will produce the photographs for the school newspaper and
yearbook. Because we live in the 21st Century, instant communication requires that
student photojournalists do everything from capturing a picture that communicates
human interest to writing the accompanying caption that tells the rest of the story.
Students will learn to illustrate and complement an idea through the use of the camera.
Therefore, they must master both the technical and aesthetic controls necessary for
effective photo communication in addition to understanding the basics of thorough
journalistic planning for a photo shoot. Meeting publication deadlines is a necessity and
the class will involve after-school work.
Course Objectives:
a) Students will master both the technical and aesthetic controls necessary for
effective photo communication.
b) Students will apply basic photographic techniques to assignments for publication.
c) Students will be able to operate a 35mm camera in both manual and automatic
modes.
d) Students will be able to use electronic flash when necessary to produce good
photographs.
e) Students will be able to communicate the full range of human emotions involved in
student life through use of their photographic knowledge.
f) Students will be able to plan and carry out a systematic approach to photographic
coverage and use of photos in the newspaper and the yearbook.
Required Materials: Each day students must have:
o Pens and pencils
o Folder for handouts
II. Major Components of the Course:
Parts of the 35mm camera.
Use of apertures, shutter speeds, focus, and film speed.
Photo composition.
Action photography, candid, close-ups, and content.
Beginning use of Photoshop CS software for editing photos.
Rules of Conduct.
1. BE ON TIME
2. Take responsibility.
3. Respect others.
4. Complete all assignments on time.
5. Take your Press Pass with you to all home events unless told otherwise. You will need it to
get in without paying. If you don’t have it, expect to pay. Turn in your press pass at the
completion of each assignment. Press passes remain in the classroom unless you are on
assignment.
III. Assignments and Make-up Assignments
A. Photo Assignments
 Students will be expected to complete at least one regular assignment a week
during each 6-week grading period. Each assignment requires the student to
take at least 50 photographs, and at least three of those will be turned in for a
grade. Each assignment is worth 100 points (90 points for the photo and 10
points for actually shooting the assignment).
o A regular assignment includes sporting events, plays, concerts, club
meetings held before, during or after school. Students will be expected
to shoot at least one half (2 quarters, 3 innings, etc.) of sporting events.
Some events will be on Saturdays. See below for Special Projects
 Photos are due no later than Friday the week of the assignment. Realistically,
photos should be completed a day or two after the assignment. Photos turned
in one week late will be penalized five points; photos turned in two weeks late
will be penalized 10 points; photos turned in three weeks late will be penalized
20 points. DON’T FALL BEHIND.
 Students will maintain a folder on the hard drive on the computers in room 913.
Students should create a folder for each assignment they shoot and label it for
the sport, level and date. For example, if you shoot Junior Varsity football on
Sept. 12, the folder would be labeled: “JVFB 9/12”. Every assignment will be
labeled and saved in the student’s folder
 Special Projects: In addition to athletic and school events, students may be
given other assignments during the school year (including, but not limited to,
portraits and photo essays). Points for these assignments will vary.
 Any assignments missed without instructor approval will be recorded as a 0. If a
student misses an assignment one week (excused or otherwise), that
assignment can be made up the following week. Students will also be expected
to submit a minimum number of photographs by the end of each 6-week
grading period.
 Students will be expected to take pictures of a variety of school assignments,
including sports, concerts, classroom assignments, assemblies, clubs and other
events as necessary. Students will be expected to shoot every level of athletic
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competition, from freshman to varsity. Don’t expect to take pictures of only
varsity sports.
Students take photos for the Jaguar News, the Predator and the All-Sports
Program. Quality work is expected.
Students will be expected to work after school, in the evenings and on
weekends to complete many of their photo assignments. Students are
expected to work around any jobs or other non-school related activities. Work
is not a valid reason to miss a scheduled assignment.
B. In-class assignments and tests not completed on time.
• Work will be accepted one day late for reduced letter grade. Tests may be
made up.
• Students are required to turn work in on their own. Mr. McCleary will not ask
for it.
C. Excused Absences
• Students should check to get missed assignments when they return to school.
• Time for completion will be determined by length of absence, usually one day
for each day absent.
D. Quizzes and Exams
 Students will be given quizzes and exams covering material presented in
class and homework. All exams will be announced. Some quizzes will be
unannounced. Some quizzes will be given immediately after the tardy bell
rings. Students arriving late will not be permitted to take the quiz. Those
students may take a more difficult quiz AFTER school.
IV. Grading Scale
School-wide scale printed in Student Handbook.
V. Show-Me Standards:
Communication Arts 5 – Students must understand presentations,
including speeches, athletic events, and classroom activities and
understand when to take a photograph.
CA 6 – Students may discuss the qualities of good photographs and how
to improve their sills.
Math 3 – Students must work with numbers, understanding ratios using
f-stops and shutter speeds.
Science 7 – Becoming a better photographer involves understanding the
process behind taking photographs, including time of day and location,
and how to improve prints on the computer. Students will test light and
time to produce photographs.
Fine Arts 1 – Students will learn the process of taking photographs and
producing prints of different sizes.
VI.
Contract
Students will be solely responsible for ALL camera equipment and supplies when
on an assignment. The camera, lenses and camera bags are expensive and
should be handled with care.
Rules for using the Nikon D5100 and D5200 cameras and lenses.
 Photojournalism students are the only ones allowed to use or handle the
camera. Do not allow your friends to handle the camera.
 Do not leave the camera unattended for ANY period of time. Do not
leave it with a friend. The camera goes with you. If you must leave the
camera in your car, put it in the trunk. Do not leave it in plain sight.
 The camera does not like extreme cold or extreme heat. Therefore, do
not leave the camera in your car overnight or other extended periods of
time.
 Do not mistreat the camera. You will ALWAYS wear the camera strap on
an assignment. You will ALWAYS handle the camera properly. That
means you will always use two hands when taking photographs. Do not
eat or drink around the camera. Make sure your hands are clean when
using the camera.
 Students in Photojournalism represent the school and should behave like
responsible adults. Do not speak with athletes during matches or games.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t get in the way of fans when
taking photographs. Dress appropriately and dress for the weather.
Violating any of these rules may result in a zero on the assignment. Students will
be responsible for any damage caused to the photojournalism equipment while
it is in their possession, up to and including replacing lenses, bags or cameras.
Estimated cost to replace Photojournalism Equipment:
 Nikon D5200 -- $1,000.
 Lenses -- $300 (minimum)
 Camera bags -- $50
 Other expenses may include flash, memory card, battery.
DON’T LOSE OR DAMAGE THE CAMERA!
VII.
Expectations
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To successfully complete this class, students must spend several hours
taking photographs outside of class and during the evening or weekends.
Students will be expected to take photograph at all levels of athletic
competition, from freshmen to varsity, and complete academic and
other extracurricular assignments (clubs, plays, concerts, etc.) Students
are expected to attend these events and behave responsibly. This
includes, but is not limited to, completing the assignment in a timely
fashion and not disrupting the event, including speaking with student
athletes.
Work is not an excuse to miss an assignment. In addition, students will
be given a weekly schedule of events the Friday before. Students should
sign up on Friday to take pictures at events the following week. While in
season, students will be required to shoot one event every week. If you
miss a week, you must take photographs at two events/activities the
next week. Don’t fall behind. There are plenty of events.
In addition, while weather may cancel some sporting events, students
should not expect to skip an event they have signed up for unless: 1) the
event has been canceled by the school; 2) Mr. McCleary has given his OK
to the student before the event; or 3) Mr. McCleary contacts the student
at the event. Dress warm for outdoor events. Wear a raincoat if you
think it might rain. Some events may continue in heavy rain, but I will not
require students to take photographs in heavy rain.
The Jaguar News, The Predator and the All-Sports Program rely on
student photographs. It is essential students complete all assignments
for which they sign up.
Students are expected to return the camera to Mr. McCleary following
the assignment. Typically, this will be in class the next day. Students may
also return the camera during sporting events. If you will not be at
school the next day, make arrangements to return the camera. We
need every camera every day.
I have read the Contract and Expectations sections and agree to follow the policies of
this class. I understand the possible repercussions for missing an assignment without an
excuse.
I understand I am responsible for ALL camera equipment in my possession when taking
photographs for Photojournalism. I understand I will be responsible for paying for any
repairs to the camera, or, if necessary, replacing any equipment.
_____________________________________
Student Name (printed)
_____________________________________
Student Signature
______________
Date
I have read the Contract and Expectation sections and understand what is required of
my student for this class
I understand my student is responsible for ALL camera equipment in his/her possession
when taking photographs for Photojournalism. I understand he/she will be responsible
for paying for any repairs to the camera, lens, or bag, or, if necessary, replacing any
equipment.
_____________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
______________
Date