He IS a junior member.
ILOVETHISJOB - This topic has been discussed quite a bit over the past four years on this list...That's why the ambivilance on responses.
Go to
www.nppa.org Hopefully you will learn something about the NPPA and what it stands for. As for TV styles...there are DVDs for members. Watch the stories. Then go back and order some old NPPA dvds or tapes. Compare. You might see DIFFERENT types of stories, shot differently depending on the story. There is no one style per se. Then again, you might see some consistancies...such as solid sequenced storytelling with great natural moments and sounds. Also...composition will be solid. Lighting will be solid. Etc...
Every story is different....well not really...but each story requires an individual approach. If you have an average story about the housing market, you might want to shoot it off a tripod. Try to personalize it. Try to get natural moments and sounds. Sequence. Mix up the shot variety. Be creative, etc.... If you are shooting a fire, you will need to be in the right place at the right time. That is not an NPPA style...that is simply good photojournalism. You do not have to be an NPPA member to shoot NPPA style...if there is an NPPA style. You can be a member...and shoot completely different from everyone else...and still get recognized (Ray Farkas.) You can shoot off the sticks mostly, or on the sticks mostly. The main point...is to get the shots that tell the story. Provide quality when the opportunity presents itself. If you are given the opportunity to shoot quality...and you shoot crap...then that probably won't be recognized by your peers.
The NPPA style...is simply what other photographers, editors and reporters judge as being quality...at the time they judge. That can change year to year. There are many different situations. If you are shooting spot news, get the shots. Get the action and reactions. Get close ups. Sequence. Tell a story from beginning, middle to end. Etc...
I don't have time to go into each type of story now (documentaries, features, sports, general, etc....) So I recommend studying past and present NPPA stories to judge for yourself.
There are at least two different areas to consider -in photojournalism. Photography (composition, color, lighting, audio, steady shots, angles, focal length, etc...) Journalism (story, newsworthiness, structure, personalized, natural sounds and moments, etc....)
Then there is the editing too.
So...any and all of these are variables. NPPA judges weigh each and depending on which variable is weighted higher - NPPA winners are picked. It could be outstanding photography, creativity, or it could just be outstanding journalism that the photographer played an important part gathering.
Its hard to nail down. Start watching stories. It will teach you and inspire you.
www.nppa.org
