BSJ Photojournalism and Visual Storytelling 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a caption in photojournalism?
- To provide context and identify key details about the image (Correct answer)
- To replace the need for a written article
- To credit only the photographer's name
- To describe the aesthetic qualities of the photo
Correct answer: To provide context and identify key details about the image
Captions give readers essential context—who, what, when, and where—that cannot be conveyed by the image alone.
Question 2: Which photojournalism rule suggests placing the subject off-center for a more dynamic composition?
- The Golden Ratio
- Rule of Thirds (Correct answer)
- Leading Lines
- Frame Within a Frame
Correct answer: Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds divides an image into nine equal segments and placing subjects along those lines creates a more engaging composition.
Question 3: In the United States, photojournalists shooting on public property generally have the legal right to photograph whom?
- Only public officials
- Anyone visible from a public space (Correct answer)
- Only people who have given written consent
- Only events covered by press credentials
Correct answer: Anyone visible from a public space
U.S. law generally permits photography of anything visible from a public vantage point, including people, without consent.
Question 4: What does the term 'staging' mean in photojournalism ethics?
- Choosing the best light for a portrait
- Asking subjects to re-enact or pose for a news photo (Correct answer)
- Cropping an image for better composition
- Using a telephoto lens
Correct answer: Asking subjects to re-enact or pose for a news photo
Staging refers to directing or re-enacting events to create a news photograph, which is considered a serious ethical violation.
Question 5: What is 'ambient light' in photography?
- Flash light from an external strobe
- Existing natural or artificial light at a scene without added flash (Correct answer)
- Light bounced off a reflector
- Light filtered through a diffuser
Correct answer: Existing natural or artificial light at a scene without added flash
Ambient light is the natural or existing artificial light present at a scene, used without supplemental flash or artificial lighting.
Question 6: Which organization publishes widely respected ethics guidelines specifically for photojournalists in the U.S.?
- Associated Press (AP)
- National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) (Correct answer)
- Reuters
- Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Correct answer: National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
The NPPA maintains a Code of Ethics specifically tailored to photojournalists, covering manipulation, staging, and fair representation.
BSJ Photojournalism and Visual Storytelling 1
What is the primary purpose of a caption in photojournalism?