Photojournalism
- Social Sciences
- 300 level
- 3 credit units
- 84 pages
- 13 units
This course introduces the fundamental principles of photojournalism, focusing on writing and reporting with pictures for mass media. It explores the history and development of photojournalism, particularly within the Nigerian context, while emphasizing universal principles. Students will learn to gather, process, and disseminate news through photographs, understanding the ethical and legal considerations involved. The course also covers essential photography tools, editing techniques, and the role of photojournalism in contemporary media.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 78 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of MAC323, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
MAC323 · UNIT 2: PHOTOGRAPHY: A PROFESSION OR CRAFT
Photography which was derived from the Greek words photos ("light") and graphein ("to draw") is the capturing of an image through a combination of reversing the light and shadows to create a detailed picture.
What you should be able to do
- Demonstrate an understanding of the history and development of photojournalism.
- Identify and apply the basic principles of photojournalistic writing.
- Write news stories using photojournalistic principles.
- Describe the process of news gathering, processing, and dissemination.
- State the relevant laws and ethics affecting photojournalism practice.
- Utilize photography tools and editing software effectively.
What it prepares you for
- Photojournalist
- News Photographer
- Freelance Photographer
- Photo Editor
- Documentary Photographer
- Journalism
- Mass Media
- Advertising
- Documentary Filmmaking
- Public Relations
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Photo Editing and Publication
Unit 3: Editing Concepts in Photo-Journalism (2)
Understanding advanced retouching techniques requires a strong grasp of digital imaging principles and software proficiency.
- Module 5: Photojournalism Law and Ethic
Unit 2: Photojournalism and law
Legal concepts such as copyright, obscenity, and sedition require careful interpretation and application to specific photographic scenarios.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 44 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Photography as A Profession
Unit 1: History and definition of photography · 2 hours
Read Unit 1: History and definition of photography. Understand the evolution of photography and its core concepts..
Unit 2: Photography: a profession or craft · 2 hours
Read Unit 2: Photography: a profession or craft. Analyze the role of photography as both an art and a profession..
- Week 2Module 1: Photography as A Profession
Unit 3: Professional photographers · 2 hours
Read Unit 3: Professional photographers. Identify the qualities and responsibilities of professional photographers..
Unit 4: Types and forms of pictures in mass media · 2 hours
Read Unit 4: Types and forms of pictures in mass media. Explore the various types of photographs used in mass media..
- Week 3Module 2:
Unit 1: A professional photojournalist · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: A professional photojournalist. Understand the role and responsibilities of a professional photojournalist..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 2: The place of photography in journalism · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: The place of photography in journalism. Analyze the significance of photography in journalism..
- Week 5Module 3: Photography Tools
Unit 1: Camera types and parts · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Camera types and parts. Study the different types of cameras and their components..
- Week 6Module 3: Photography Tools
Unit 2: Professional photo studio · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Professional photo studio. Understand the setup and equipment of a professional photo studio..
- Week 7Module 4: Photo Editing and Publication
Unit 1: Photo Editing: Meaning and Origin · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Photo Editing: Meaning and Origin. Explore the meaning and historical origins of photo editing..
- Week 8Module 4: Photo Editing and Publication
Unit 2: Editing Concepts in Photo-Journalism (1) · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Editing Concepts in Photo-Journalism (1). Study captioning and blurring techniques..
- Week 9Module 4: Photo Editing and Publication
Unit 3: Editing Concepts in Photo-Journalism (2) · 3 hours
Read Unit 3: Editing Concepts in Photo-Journalism (2). Study scaling, cutting, fixing, bleeding, and retouching techniques..
- Week 10Module 4: Photo Editing and Publication
Unit 4: Computer and Adobe Photo Shop · 3 hours
Read Unit 4: Computer and Adobe Photo Shop. Learn about computer-based photo editing using Adobe Photoshop..
- Week 11Module 5: Photojournalism Law and Ethic
Unit 1: Ethics of Photojournalism · 3 hours
Read Unit 1: Ethics of Photojournalism. Understand the ethical principles that guide photojournalists..
- Week 12Module 5: Photojournalism Law and Ethic
Unit 2: Photojournalism and law · 3 hours
Read Unit 2: Photojournalism and law. Explore the legal aspects affecting photojournalism..
- Week 13Final Revision
Final Revision · 6 hours
Review all modules and units. Focus on key concepts and prepare for final examinations..
Preparing for the exam
- Review key definitions and historical milestones from Unit 1 of each module.
- Practice photo editing techniques using Adobe Photoshop or similar software.
- Study ethical guidelines and legal frameworks related to photojournalism.
- Analyze case studies of photojournalistic work, focusing on ethical considerations.
- Create a portfolio of sample photojournalistic pieces demonstrating various skills.
- Focus on understanding the functions and operations of different camera types from Module 3.
Questions students ask about this course
What is MAC323 about?
This course introduces the fundamental principles of photojournalism, focusing on writing and reporting with pictures for mass media. It explores the history and development of photojournalism, particularly within the Nigerian context, while emphasizing universal principles. Students will learn to gather, process, and disseminate news through photographs, understanding the ethical and legal considerations involved. The course also covers essential photography tools, editing techniques, and the role of photojournalism in contemporary media.
How many units does MAC323 have?
MAC323, Photojournalism, has 13 units across 5 modules, over 84 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is MAC323?
MAC323 carries 3 credit units, at 300 level in Social Sciences.
Is MAC323 hard?
MAC323 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does MAC323 take to study?
About 78 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.
How is MAC323 assessed?
MAC323 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with MAC323?
Photojournalist, News Photographer, Freelance Photographer, Photo Editor and Documentary Photographer.