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DIPLOMA IN PHOTOJOURNALISM VPH009

Duration (approx) 2100 hours
Qualification Diploma

Make a career out of writing and taking photographs.

Photojournalists work in publishing (electronic or print media) either self employed (freelance) or in house (employed by a publisher); contributing images and (in smaller enterprises), writing as well to published work. Opportunities are relatively strong and diverse for skilled photographers, but for the person who can also write text and process images using software, demand for this mix of skills has been very high.

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Become a Photojournalist - study by Distance Learning.

  • This course teaches you the skills necessary to become a photojournalist.
  • A broad based, practically oriented training course that will develop the essential skills required to work in this field.
  • The student will develop a variety of written and photographic work that can be used as the basis for a professional portfolio.
  • Students study 19 Core Modules, plus 1 Elective Module, and a Workplace Project.

THE COURSE STRUCTURE

To complete the diploma you are required to complete 2100 hours of study - a total of 20 Modules, plus a Workplace Project.

THE CORE MODULES

Students are to study the following 19 Core Modules:

Freelance Writing

Advanced Freelance Writing

Publishing I

Publishing II

Introduction to Photography

Photographic Practice

Photographic Technology

Digital Photography

Photographic Lighting

Programming Web Sites (HTML)

Project Management

Business Studies

Workplace Health and Safety

Introduction to Psychology

Marketing I

Internet Security

Photojournalism Practice I

Research Project I

Research Project II

THE ELECTIVE MODULES

Students are to choose one of the following two Elective Modules:

Landscape Photography

People Photography

WORKPLACE PROJECTS

You will also complete 100 hours of industry project work.  More information on this is given can be found on the Workplace Projects page. But don’t worry if you are not too clear on this at this stage, your tutor will be there to help and advise you all the way.

What is Photojournalism?

Photojournalism is slightly different to other forms of professional photography in that it adheres to the principles of journalism, which are –

  • Accuracy
  • Timeliness
  • Fair representation of the context of events 
  • Reporting of facts
  • Accountability

For example, a portrait photographer is also documenting an event, but their responsibility is to the client and what the client wants to see. A journalist, on the other hand produces news for the public, and should be accurate. A photojournalist also has a responsibility to put things into context.

Modern photojournalism began in Germany in 1925, when the first 35mm camera – the Leica, was invented. Prior to this, a photographer would have to carry bulky equipment, but with this new camera, the photographer could take photos unobtrusively and without carrying lots of bulky cameras and tripods.  This allowed for photos to become more natural and show how people really lived, rather than the mainly posed photographs taken previously.

Another important invention in the mid-1920s, also in Germany, was the first photojournalism magazine. Rather than the odd photo or illustration, these magazines told stories with pictures and words.  The photographer would shoot more photos than needed. The editor would then examine the contact sheets (these are sheets of photographs in miniature form). The editor would then choose those that he/she believed told the story. The layout was important and the written story was kept to a minimum.

Newspapers and magazines continue to make heavy use of photographs. One photograph can tell so much more than words. Nowadays newspapers and magazines will often not rely so heavily on just photographs - they will also make use of words and images to add more to their content.

Technology has dramatically changed photography. With the advent of digital cameras, photography changed rapidly. Most photographers used colour photographs without needing to print them all. A photographer could now take many images of the same event, then choose the best ones. This has led to a rapid improvement in the quality of images presented. 

Develop your skills to work in Photojournalism

  • Understand the market - know what publishers want.
  • Develop your skills to meet the needs of publishers.
  • Develop your skills and knowledge in wide range of areas - photography, project management, adding and amending website content, how to organise and manage projects, marketing and much more.
  • Learn about networking and establishing contacts and relationships in the industry.

If you have any questions or want to know more about the course or its components, then please get in touch with us today.

You can phone us on (UK) 01384 442752 or (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or

Connect with our specialist tutors who have helped develop the course and who provide support and guidance to our students throughout their studies; they will be happy to help you.

Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Kara WightKara Wight - Animal Scientist, Photographer and Business woman. BSc (Applied Bioscience and Zoology), HND (Animal Care), HND (Photography & Imaging) Kara gained an HND in Animal Care and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Applied Bioscience and Zoology. She has a wide range of experience working with animals such dogs, small pets, birds, zoo animals, British wildlife and reptiles. Kara gained this experience working within animal parks, canine rescue centres and a wildlife hospital. She also managed an animal care training facility for a college. At this training facility she instructed and lectured students within Animal Care and Veterinary Nursing from National Certificate level to Higher National Diploma levels. Kara also gained an HND in Photography and Imaging and has 5 years’ experience within this sector. She ran a small portraiture and wedding photography business and also exhibited work in art exhibitions. Kara gained more experience photographing sporting and festival events. Kara currently runs a pet care and training business in the UK and also has entry to undertake her MSc in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law this academic year.
Josiane JoubranCSC consultant with IBM, Software QA Engineer, Course Writer and Tutor. Josiane is an I.T professional with extensive experience with computer hardware and engineering in Lebanon and Australia. Josiane has a B.Eng., Grad.Dip.I.T., Master Info.Tech., MCP, MCSE.


Check out our eBooks

English GrammarThe English Grammar ebook can be a great reference for students, people who are learning English and anybody who writes anything- ever. The English Grammar ebook takes grammar back to basics to help confirm correct use of grammar. Topics that are covered within this course include 1/ Introduction- the components of language, 2/ Types of words, 3/ Punctuation, 4/ Upper and lower case, abbreviations, numbers, bullet points and 5/ Using words together.
Photographic TechniquesExplore how to take better photos. This is a book packed full of practical tips, from the authors own experience, coupled with a solid introduction to well established and widely practiced photographic techniques. This is a well illustrated, excellent reference for students of photography; and an equally useful source of inspiration to the amateur photographer.
Professional WritingProfessional writing is any writing that you are being paid for. It can include fiction writing, a best-selling book, articles in a magazine, articles in a newspaper, blogs for companies, technical manuals or procedure manuals, copy for catalogues, newsletters, text books and other academic material and so on.
Creative WritingThe Creative Writing ebook can be useful for writing students or even professional writers to help improve their writing techniques and skills. The Creative Writing ebook is a fabulous starting point for budding writers. The topics that are covered within this book are an introduction to creative writing, Methodology and technique- the building blocks of writing, Genres, Creative non-fiction, creative writing techniques, developing your skill, building your career and a Glossary.