Photojournalist Legal, Social & Cultural Technicians
SaveWhat Does a Photojournalist Do?
Photojournalists cover all kinds of news events by taken informative images. They tell stories by taking, editing and presenting images for newspapers, journals, magazines, television and other media.
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Where Do I Start?
Copyright Legislation
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Photojournalist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialCopyright Legislation knowledge
Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialInterview Techniques knowledge
The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialGrammar knowledge
The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialSpelling knowledge
The rules concerning the way words are spelled.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialEditorial Standards knowledge
The guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialPhotography knowledge
Art and practice of creating aesthetically appealing images by recording light or electromagnetic radiation.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialWriting Techniques knowledge
The different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAdapt To Type Of Media skill
Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Grammar And Spelling Rules skill
Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialBuild Contacts To Maintain News Flow skill
Build contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialConsult Information Sources skill
Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop Professional Network skill
Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEvaluate Writings In Response To Feedback skill
Edit and adapt work in response to comments from peers and publishers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Ethical Code Of Conduct Of Journalists skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow The News skill
Follow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInterview People skill
Interview people in a range of different circumstances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialMeet Deadlines skill
Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialParticipate In Editorial Meetings skill
Participate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSelect Camera Apertures skill
Adjust lens apertures, shutter speeds and camera focus.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialStay Up To Date With Social Media skill
Keep up with the trends and people on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialStudy Topics skill
Carry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or verbal …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse Specific Writing Techniques skill
Use writing techniques depending on the type of media, the genre, and the story.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWrite To A Deadline skill
Schedule and respect tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio projects.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSelect Photographic Equipment skill
Select appropriate photographic equipment and background properties, and adapt it according to subjects, materials, and conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSet Up Photographic Equipment skill
Choose the best position and orientation of the camera to capture the scene, along with other necessary equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 24 displayed)
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OptionalAudio Editing Software knowledge
The various software for editing and generating audio, such as Adobe Audition, Soundforge, and Power Sound Editor.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalPress Law knowledge
The laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.
Recommended Books
2 books -
OptionalAdapt To Changing Situations skill
Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCheck Correctness Of Information skill
Check if the information contains factual errors, is reliable, and has news value.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalCreate Online News Content skill
Create and upload news content for e.g. websites, blogs and social media.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Digital Moving Images skill
Use specialised software to edit video images for use in an artistic production.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Negatives skill
Use different software products and techniques to process photographic negatives and adapt the images to the desired specifications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Photographs skill
Resize, enhance and retouche photographs, using airbrushing, editing software and other techniques.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEdit Recorded Sound skill
Edit audio footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as crossfading, speed effects, and removing unwanted noises.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain An Artistic Portfolio skill
Maintain portfolios of artistic work to show styles, interests, abilities and realisations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Personal Finances skill
Identify personal financial objectives and set up a strategy to match this target in seeking support and advice when necessary.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Writing Administration skill
Manage the financial and administrative side of writing including making up budgets, maintaining financial records, checking contracts, etc.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Image Editing skill
Edit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Video Editing skill
Rearrange and edit video footage in the course of the post-production process. Edit the footage using a variety of sofware, tools, and techniques such as colour correction and effects, speed …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPromote Yourself skill
Market one's own strengths in terms of skills and knowledge.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Captions skill
Write captions to accompany cartoons, drawings, and photographs. These captions can be humorous or explanatory.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Headlines skill
Write titles to accompany news articles. Make sure they are to the point and inviting.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDevelop Film skill
Prepare tools and developing and printing equipment. Develop and print exposed film using chemicals.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDirect Photographic Workers skill
Direct and manage the daily activities of photographic workers.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalFollow Directions Of On-Site Director skill
Follow the instructions of the director when covering events on location.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Photographic Equipment skill
Execute maintenance tasks to keep photographic equipment functioning properly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRecord Multi-Track Sound skill
Recording and mixing audio signals from different sound sources on a multi-track recorder.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalTest Photographic Equipment skill
Test photographic equipment, tools and accessories.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Photographic Equipment skill
Use analogue or digital camera equipment, along with a variety of accessories such as tripods, filters and lenses.
Course recommendations coming soon.