Expert: Don Wood - 1/26/2003

Question
hi!would you please tell me what to consider and look for in buying a camera to be used in newspaper photography? maybe some of the best that are around of its kind.i don't know what film would be best either or what lighting options are best.it would help me greatly if you could explain.thankyou!

Answer
Jane. Most newspapers will tell you what kind of camera to use. Some will provide the cameras. All will provide the film to be used. Bear in mind that we are in the age of digital so most papers  in the moderate markets will have a digital camera which will be given to you to use for a particular assignment. Most cameras will have a flash unit either built in or as an add-on. The point is to first get the job, then determine what camera they want you to use. I do applaud you for wanting to use your own equipment. You will take better care of it than the equipment shared by many photogs. You may also choose to get better equipment than what they provide. Some of the publishers think that all you have to do to take a picture, grab the camera, look through the viewfinder, push the button. In the smaller publications, you will be expected to provide the information and write the story which will accompany your picture. Cameras of today are very easy to use, most are point and shoot, no longer must you adjust the f stop, exposure, focus, these are all done automatically.
I would plan to attend college, a journalism school if possible to get the credentials you need to prove that you have been instructed in the fundamentals of the craft. You will also be sending a message to the hiring person that you are serious about being a reporter. You will spend all your life looking at life about you with an eye of finding what is photographic and what is not. You will spend all your life lookingat other's pictures and trying to determine how they achieved the effect they got. The majority of reporter/photographers use a nikon, canon is next/ You will want to get a camera that you can add various equipment to, lens, transport, lights, etc. You will want a brand that if they phase out the camera from production will force you to get a brand-new outfit rather that upgrading your equipment to what you need. I would definitely opt for the camera that is both a manual type and an automatic type. Don't settle for the camera which is too limiting in equipment.
Best of luck to you. I think that you could probably get some questions answered from a friend that is in the business.
Keep me posted, good luck.
Don