CJE Photojournalism & Visual Storytelling

Question 1

What is the 'decisive moment' in photojournalism, a concept popularized by Henri Cartier-Bresson?

Accepted Answer

The precise instant when visual and narrative elements align to create the most meaningful image

Answer

Cartier-Bresson's 'decisive moment' refers to the exact instant when visual form and subject matter align to produce the most expressive and truthful photograph.

Question 2

In photojournalism, what does the term 'photo essay' refer to?

Accepted Answer

A series of photographs that together tell a story or document an issue in depth

Answer

A photo essay uses a deliberate sequence of images to tell a complete story or explore a subject more fully than any single photograph could convey.

Question 3

What does 'depth of field' mean in photography, and why is it important to photojournalists?

Accepted Answer

The range of distance within a photograph that appears acceptably sharp

Answer

Depth of field is the zone of acceptable sharpness in an image; photojournalists manipulate it to isolate subjects from distracting backgrounds or to show subjects within their full environment.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes why 'staging' is considered unethical in photojournalism?

Accepted Answer

It misrepresents reality by having subjects re-enact events, violating truthfulness

Answer

Staging—directing subjects to re-enact events for the camera—is unethical because it fabricates a scene and deceives viewers who trust that news photographs represent reality.

Question 5

What does the 'rule of thirds' describe in visual composition?

Accepted Answer

Dividing the frame into nine equal parts and placing key subjects along the dividing lines or intersections

Answer

The rule of thirds divides the frame into a 3×3 grid; placing subjects or horizon lines along grid lines or at intersection points typically produces stronger, more dynamic compositions than centering.

CJE - Certified Journalism Educator Practice Test

CJE - Certified Journalism Educator Practice Test

CJE Photojournalism & Visual Storytelling