Applying for a job for my school newspaper

Soap · 11-10-2009, 12:40 AM

I posted a similar thread in prayer requests, but this one serves a different purpose. In addition to what I've copied below, I'd GREATLY appreciate any tips on how I should prepare myself for such an interview. I've had interviews before for "normal" jobs for people my age, but I consider this in a special category...photography is an art and purely up to the eyes of those reviewing me. I have prepared a portfolio, though it isn't much. The application calls for no more than 20, I am proving 8 prints of my best shots. Of these 8, there are: 2 portraits, 1 wedding, 1 macro, 1 creative "live event", and 3 event coverage shots.

All I've had to build my portfolio is a Sony Alpha A230 and kit lens, which is basically a combination just begging for AWFUL low-light shots. Noise is unbearable above ISO800, and the lens can't get under f3.5 on 18mm and 5.6 on 55mm. I'd like to think I've done pretty darn well considering what I've had to work with. I would like for the interviewers to know this fact without making it sound like an excuse for not having "spectacular" work. If I got the job, I would be provided with a Nikon D2H and an array of very nice f2.8 lenses...so my current camera would not be a handicap.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. The following is copied from the prayer request thread:

I have a passion for all things digital and media. I am applying for a job as photographer for the school newspaper soon. I don't have much of a portfolio. I have a good knowledge of photography and I can do the job right if given the chance...the thing is, I need that chance. Please pray, if you will, that I gain favor with those who may interview me or review my application.

I feel like God has a reason for me to become a more experienced photographer, and I believe that experience will start here.

Thanks all!

Here is my portfolio:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC01093.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC01127.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC01175.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC01228.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00550.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00352.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00183.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00200.jpg

RipVanWinkle · 11-10-2009, 03:27 PM

Have you already submitted the application? Can you add any pictures?

Your captures are good. My first impression is that half of your shots come from one event alone. They may take that as a lack of experience from which to pull from.

The subject matter is something that they might also look at. 1 and 6 are very nice captures, but don't add much to a story on their own.

I hope and pray that you do get this job. You have some nice pictures here.

Soap · 11-10-2009, 03:32 PM

No I haven't submitted it yet. I really have nothing else to add though. I haven't had much opportunity to capture events.

EDIT: I have done some creative shots with Christmas lights lately...and a nature shot:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00693.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00698.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/DSC00513.jpg

**Rainer.** · 11-10-2009, 04:35 PM

DSC00550.jpg is not a very strong shot, I'd replace it. Generally, you're going to be shooting events with people, I'd stick with people shots.

If you have several shots of one event, don't think of those as three seperate shots, for example, but those should be presented as (and looked at as) one series.

Definitely don't talk about a handicap in your equipment as affecting your work. You can mention what equipment you've had to work with, but equipment is never an excuse for quality of work.

For your work, keep in mind what they're looking for. They're looking for dynamic shots that have a narrative and a lot of substance. Pick shots that you think capture and compose a moment in time in an interesting perspective.

I don't know how much time you have left, but if there's any way you can basically shoot as much material as you can between now and then, that can only help you.

I think the shots of that event you did are pretty strong, though.

Also, as a side note, you may want to learn to do artificial flash lighting as well. You will always run into situations where your light is less-than-ideal. Flashes help.

Best of luck!

Soap · 11-10-2009, 08:52 PM

I know a bit about flash lighting...I just don't have a flash to use. The ONLY thing I have to use is my A230, the 18-55mm kit lens, and some SD cards. The built in flash for any camera is useless, IMO. It creates too many terrible looking shadows, and plus it can't be pointed or angled.

I need to turn in my application as soon as possible, but if I could find just ONE event to go shoot in the next day or two I'd gladly wait to turn it in.

ApparentlyNothing · 11-11-2009, 11:52 PM

Honestly, you're too far away from everything going on at these events. There's a lot of wasted space. It might be nice to have a wide shot to include everyone sometimes, but the real money shots are the close ups, especially when it comes to events for newspapers. Newspapers are all about fitting a lot of content on a small amount of pages. So your photos need to have as much "action" as you can possibly fill the frame with. For those event shots, you should have had a much longer zoom or if you didn't have one you should have moved closer. Photo journalists always have to be in the thick of whatever is going on.

Soap · 11-12-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApparentlyNothing

Honestly, you're too far away from everything going on at these events. There's a lot of wasted space. It might be nice to have a wide shot to include everyone sometimes, but the real money shots are the close ups, especially when it comes to events for newspapers. Newspapers are all about fitting a lot of content on a small amount of pages. So your photos need to have as much "action" as you can possibly fill the frame with. For those event shots, you should have had a much longer zoom or if you didn't have one you should have moved closer. Photo journalists always have to be in the thick of whatever is going on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoapbarII

... The ONLY thing I have to use is my A230, the 18-55mm kit lens, and some SD cards

If I had gotten any closer, I'd have been performing with them.

**redbaron** · 11-12-2009, 11:16 AM

1127, 1175 & 352 should all be straightened and cropped IMO. It's one thing to have a slanty picture because that's what you intend, and it adds something. When it's only 1-5* off and you're trying to be level (or at least it seems that way) you should straighten it and then crop as necessary IMO.

You can build a diffuser very cheaply for an onboard flash and it will make it work pretty well, even if it's a bit goofy looking.

ApparentlyNothing · 11-12-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoapbarII

If I had gotten any closer, I'd have been performing with them.

Photo 2 is definitely not at 55mm. You've got a TON of wasted space at the bottom. It's just floor, nothing going on.

Photo 3 is better at getting close up, but you shot it in portrait instead of landscape, again wasting a ton of space on the top and bottom of the frame.

Photo 4 is ok for getting a group shot, but this would be better within a series of some close ups as well. The lighting is pretty uneven which makes it difficult to expose for well or white balance well, but that's hardly your fault. Using a flash with a diffuser would've been ideal though.

I'm only critiquing those because they are the most relevant to working a photojournalistic job.

RipVanWinkle · 12-02-2009, 04:46 AM

Well?