Cherubs click with photojournalism

By Lisa Silverman

Those interested in photojournalism often think a picture is worth even more than the “1,000 word” cliché because of its power to instantly captivate the audience. 

“I like that you can show something that everyone can understand,” said Stephanie Ackerman, a cherub from Traverse City, Mich.  “Not everyone enjoys reading.”

Photojournalism, like print and broadcast journalism, must be objective, timely and tell a story.

Eryn Rogers and Gabi Moore pose with photojournalist John White after his talk.

“It is challenging to capture an entire story through one image,” Ackerman said.

Most of the National High School Institute journalism summer program focused on print and broadcast journalism.  During the final week of the program, however, cherubs learned about story telling through images with John White, Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist from the Chicago Sun-Times talks with the students.

“Pictures are often more hard-hitting than words,” said Jenny Temple, a cherub from Punta Gorda, Fla.  “Without learning about photojournalism, something is definitely missing from the program.”

Grady Page, a cherub from Washington D.C., agrees with Temple. 

“It’s as important to learn about photojournalism as it is to learn about all other types of journalism,” he said.  I would love to have more exposure.”

“Photojournalism is just as important as print, especially because the world is becoming more visual,” instructor Sarahmaria Gomez said.

Gomez predicts that in the near future multimedia will continue to dominate the news. 

“The world is a classroom,” Gomez said. “You can become an expert through research, and you don’t have to go to school for it.”

Many students still expressed enthusiasm for this visual field and want to pursue it as a career.  Holly Schmidt, a cherub from Saint Charles, Mo., is still unsure of which career she wants to pursue in the future, but she appreciates the power of photographs. 

“Photojournalism conveys real emotions,” Schmidt said.  “I like that photos allow the people to speak.”

Photography has always been a part of the life of Gabi Moore, a cherub from Midland, Mich. 

“It may sound cliché, but through photography the photographer really can show and not tell,” Moore said.  “Not everyone can relate to writing as easily.”