Writer/Journalist – Someone who creates written articles for a Magazine. The typical writer is a reporter, who researches and investigates stories. They tend to use primary research, by gaining information through interviews, and attending events such as seminars, conferences and fairs.
However, they also use public records and other such sources including previous articles. They may also take the corresponding photographs for their stories, although sometimes they may be accompanied by a photographer – although this is a matter of event. For instance, a Journalist attending a red carpet event would likely be accompanied by a photographer, so that the journalist can concentrate on the story itself. This is however dependant on the journalist – if they are freelance, they are unlikely to be accompanied.
In 2008 the medium salary for journalists was £24,500 (this is for a staff writer as opposed to freelance where obviously the salary would be different.)
The product one is writing for obviously effects the style of writing, Newspaper articles cover 'Who, What, When, and Where' of stories, where as magazines are able to cover the 'Why and How' of stories.
A successful journalist must be careful to inform their readers, without patronising them.
Requirements for this job are:
Obviously people skills, as being able to talk to people to preform interviews,
Good English skills, for both writing and communication,
An understanding of popular culture,
An understanding of what makes a good story,
Good Team skills, as a newspaper is a team,
Good organisation skills, being able to work to a deadline is very important.
Knowing if something is topical, and will continue to be so – articles can be written as much as 12 weeks in advance to being published,
Ability to drive,
Ability to work any hours.
It is possible on smaller magazines that a writer might well have to undertake some administrative work.
It is common, and advisable for a writer/journalist to have a particular field of expertise. For instance fashion, or football.
Another useful tool is a bachelor's degree in journalism, English or some other such field, and even more useful to have a masters degree.
A way to start in journalism is to begin work for a trade publication or other such small niche lifestyle type magazines, whist not being glamorous to work for, they offer opportunities to hone ones skill and start you on the ladder to move onto greater things with some experience under ones belt.
This can also be helped by getting a work experience/volunteering with a local small scale publication, as this will help one to build up a portfolio.
Another useful skill is to read the publication that you are applying for. This allows you to get a feel for the style and the type of articles that are required. If you can talk to the staff of said publication, this can also help get a better feel for what is required.
When I attended Games Day, the a day of Warhammer events, I made it a priority to go and speak to the White Dwarf team, Games Workshop's Monthly publication.
They explained to me what they looked for in a member of staff for the magazine, most of which is in bullet points above. However, for White Dwarf obviously an understanding of the games is very important as is knowledge of the games background information.
Another important criteria is imagination, being able to come up with new scenario's and stories.
There is also a large amount of communication with the games designers – so that the writers can keep the magazines readers up to date with new rules, and new releases.
They preform interviews with the 'Eavy Metal' (Games Workshop's world famous painting team) team, to gain the information needed to write articles about painting and modelling.
One of the greatest challenges – In my opinion, is the writing of battle reports. Being able to play a game of Warhammer, and then to write about the events which happened, yet to keep it interesting must be incredibly difficult.
When asked how to get involved, it was suggested that I tried writing some articles and sending then to the editor.
White Dwarf are unlikely to publish third party material, unless it is very good. If I could achieve this, this would up my chances of being able to get employed with them.
Reporter - Commodities
Employer: MEDIA CONTACTS
Posted: 29 Sep 2009
Reference: 19416
Contact: Ms Lauren Meltzer
Location: London
Industry: Media - Publishing
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: £20000 to £26000 per annum
Staff Writer – Future Publishing
Employer: FUTURE PUBLISHING LIMITED
Posted: 19 Oct 2009
Reference: FUTU-891
Contact: Future
Location: Bath
Industry: Media - Publishing
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: £competitive + excellent benefits
Photographer – Simply someone who takes photographs. These may be to accompany a story that has been written by a journalist, or may be a large events i.e. red carpet events such as film premiers. However some magazines will have features based on photographs, like in Steam Railway, they have an article called 'through the lens of' which is a study of a particular photographers work, along with an interview. There is also a section called the Gallery which features 'the best ins steam photography'.
Photographers normally will specialise in a subject, such as fashion, or a type of sport, or indeed railways, although this doesn't necessarily mean that photographer will go and take pictures of a particular story. They may well go and take pictures of their specialisation to be added to the magazines archives.
However most of the time a photographer will be briefed with a specific task, to capture a certain scene or image to accompany a story.
The average salary for a Photographer in 2008 was £19,700, (again this is for a staff photographer, opposed to freelance, where obviously the pay would be different.)
Obviously the different types of publication require different types of photographs. A newspaper would require more 'formal' images as opposed to a magazine which has the freedom to get more creative.
Again it is useful to read the publication that you are applying for, so that one can get a feel for the style of photography that the publication uses.
Requirements for this job are:
The ability to take good pictures – knowing the difference between a good and bad picture is very important,
The ability to use and maintain photographic equipment,
The ability to work to a deadline – being able to get pictures taken and edited in time for use in the publication,
A portfolio of previous work,
Ability to drive,
Ability to work any hours.
Something that is vital to get a job as a photographer is a portfolio of ones work, as well any higher education qualifications in photography will help. The next most important thing is experience. This can be built up by using a portfolio as previously mentioned, and also by getting experience with a small publication, such as a trader magazine when only generic images are required. Also submitting images to publications related to your specialisation in the aim of getting them published is a good way to gain experience and get a foot on the ladder so to speak. I myself have submitted several images to Railways for their on-line Galleries, and I have submitted images to 'Making Tracks' the quarterly publication for the Railway I am involved in.
It is also a good idea to speak to professionals, and to gain ideas and techniques from their experience. If you can speak to photographers who are involved in the publication you are interested from you may also be able to gain useful insights to the style that said publication looks for.
When I attended Games Day, Games Workshop's day of Warhammer, earlier this year, I spoke to the team who produce 'White Dwarf' Games Workshop's monthly magazine, and asked about what would be required to become a photographer for them.
I was told that experience is very important, mainly close up work in studio conditions. I was also told that the photography is not actually done by the magazine. It is the design studio, who take the pictures which appear on the models boxes and within the rulebooks. It is this team who take pictures of the models that are used in the publication, as well as documenting battles and other events at Game Workshop events. I was told if I was interested in becoming a photographer for the design team I would need experience with editing programs (as the models do need to appear 'real' on the box) and the best way to start would be to submit a portfolio to the design team and go from there.
HI END RE-TOUCHER FOR LEADING PHOTOGRAPHER
Employer: MARTIN MEDIA
Posted: 22 Sep 2009
Location: UK
Industry:
Media - Creative
Media - General
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: TO £45K
PAPARAZZI PHOTOGRAPHER
Company: WENN
Description: PAPARAZZI PHOTOGRAPHERS WANTED. Freelance work in London area. Working from info and tips given out. Pro camera and lenses required with transport and laptop. Advice and training given to those lacking experience. Please send CV, camera equipment list and some jpegs of recent work. Email to David@wenn.com
County/Area: LONDON
Contact: David
Website: WWW.WENN.COM
Email: Click to email
Date Posted: 19/October/2009
Editor – The editor is in charge of organising the paper/magazine. They have to lead the team, choose the stories and balance a budget. It is their job to make sure that the publication is full of entertaining, informative and newsworthy articles.
An Editors responsibility include: generating ideas for features, commissioning work by freelance writers, editing and proofreading, managing writing staff and liaising with artists and photographers. They also have to oversee the layout, appearance and the content. They also overlook artwork, design and photography sections of the publication, as well as attending photo-shoots, and organising meetings with the writers and photographers to discuss ideas for layout as well as fractures. They also deal with any legal matters which occur.
It is the Editor who selects the features which will appear in the publication, and they will create a brief to send out to writers which can include a word count, deadline, fee, and writing style. They also have to proofread all of the pages of the publication before going to press.
Their responsibilities also include raising the profile of the magazine, and networking with others that are involved with the magazine (i.e. for company magazine (like White Dwarf)). Another responsibility is to help other staff to meet their deadlines.
Apparently Editors do not necessarily need specialist knowledge of the subject that they cover (with the exception of highly technical magazines.), although an interest in the publications main subject is very useful and expected.
The size of the publication will obviously affect the responsibilities that the Editor has. In large publications for instance, the Editor may have to produce a wide range of articles, where as in a trade magazine things would be understandably much simpler.
Requirements for this job are:
Very good organisation skills,
Very good team skills,
Good leadership skills,
High English abilities,
The ability to work under pressure,
A professional demeanour in a work environment,
independent thinker and problem solver,
Flexible working hours during closing deadlines,
An editor is expected to lead the magazine into the future and look after it, and have a plan for the magazines direction.
Editor - Digital Camera - Bath
Employer: FUTURE PUBLISHING LIMITED
Posted: 22 Sep 2009
Reference: FUTU-876
Contact: Future
Location: Bath
Industry: Media - Publishing
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: Competitive with excellent benefits
Editor – Steam Railway
The employer, Steam Railway, would like someone who has a clear vision for the future of 'Steam Railway', have journalistic experience, understand how to position magazines successfully in niche markets, and have a clear development plan, which should - alongside the editorial vision – include on-line and commercial opportunities.
The post is based at Bretton Court in Peterborough.
Please send your applications quoting refrence number 26/145 to:
Michelle Walker,
HR Department,
Emap Active,
Bretton Court,
Bretton,
Peterborough PE3 8DZ
September 2006
When taking photographs at the Suffolk Show, I took the opportunity to speak to a couple of the photographers, in order to find out how they got where they were, and what I'd need to work for the same company, or to be employed by them.
The first photographer I spoke to was freelance. He had worked for the Suffolk Agricultural magazine before, and had been employed for the show so have the largest amount of photographers working for the magazine possible.
I enquired to both what he thought made him employable, and what he'd be looking for if he was to ever take on a partner/employee:
Portfolio of work – wide and diverse selection, obviously all well shot.
Reliability/Punctuality,
Constant standard of work,
Enthusiasm,
Dedication,
In the case of working with another person, if he felt that they were capable, he'd share his workload, and review the situation in a month to see if it was working out.
The second photographer I spoke to was an employee of the magazine. He'd previously been freelance, and before that had worked in an insurance company. He took up photography 'for a change', and began to work freelance. He managed to get a gig standing in for a photographer who was unable to attend an event, and subsequently was offered a job with the magazine. The qualities that were needed for the job which lead to employment were:
Willingness to travel and work at any hour,
Reliability/Punctuality,
He was also required to submit a portfolio of his work.
The above give an indication of what employers are looking for in photographers.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
More Published work
Hey all, The Evening Star has published another one of my pictures, showing tornado running through Ipswich.
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
More published stuff
Hey all,
Got a picture published in both the Evening Star and the Advertiser, so very happy there.
Got a picture published in both the Evening Star and the Advertiser, so very happy there.
Monday, 8 March 2010
Media Industries Mini Assignment
ASA:
The Advertising Standards Authority is a self regulatory organisation concerning advertising in the United Kingdom. They are unable to actually enforce legislation but are more like a codes and conventions which in many cases do reflect actual legislation. Their purpose is to make sure that all advertising is created to the same high standards, and to regulate, which helps to stop false advertising for occurring.
Examples of specific codes that they put into pratice:
Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation,
To regulate the content of advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK by investigating complaints made about ads, sales promotions or direct marketing,
No marketing communication should mislead, or be likely to mislead, by inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration, omission or otherwise.
NUJ:
The National Union of Journalists is a trade union that was founded in 1907 for journalists in the UK. There are different councils for each sector which concerns the NUJ, which are, Newspapers and Agencies, Freelance, Magazine and Book, Broadcasting, New Media and Press and PR. It functions as a code of conventions that all journalists that join the union must strive to adhere by. It sets out the basic principles of responsible independent journalism and has been the model for numerous other journalists’ codes. All members agree to uphold its terms when they join the union.
Examples of these codes are as follows:
A journalist at all times upholds and defends the principle of media freedom, the right of freedom of expression and the right of the public to be informed,
To strive to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair,
Does her/his utmost to correct harmful inaccuracies,
PPC:
This is the regulatory body for printed media in the U.K, and it consists of representatives of the major publishers. It is not funded by the government, but by an annual Levy that it charges newspapers and magazines – however this is voluntary. The organisations involved with it adjust the rulings of it, which makes the industry self regulating.
It has not legal power, it is more of a set of codes and conducts that should be adhered by.
Examples from the code are as follows:
The press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures,
A fair opportunity for reply to inaccuracies must be given when reasonably called for,
Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications,
Three additional Codes I feel are relevant to the magazine publishing industry:
Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit,
It is unacceptable to photograph individuals in private places without their consent.
To differentiates between fact and opinion.
Criminal and Civil Law:
Civil law revolves around discrepancies between organisations, companies and people. This includes events such as suing, or lawsuits.
Criminal law is concerned with 'criminals' who commit a crime, which is against the Law of the concerning country. They criminal, if convicted is liable for sentence in Criminal court, which may result in a Jail sentence.
Health and Safety in the photography studio:
Cables/tripods are tidied away,
Act in a responsible manner (no prating about),
Equipment that is not being used is tidied away,
People are warned of the temperature of the lights / lights positioned to minimize risk to people in studio (i.e. not obstructing a walkway) and are not handled when on / have significant time to cool,
Making sure the background is secured and fastened down, and the subject is briefed not to walk into it.
Copyright:
To copyright a piece of work is to have the exclusive rights to it, awarded to the author or creator of an original work, allowing them to copy adapt and distribute that piece.
Any original idea can be copyrighted, but the term mainly applies to all forms of media, such as films, music and artwork.
By copyrighting work it means only the creator may profit from the piece.
Libel Law:
Defamation is when someone tries to effect someone else's reputation, by making up a story or a fake claim. For instance, to say Lauren sleeps around and cheats on her boyfriend*, when she does not, would be a form of Defamation.
Libel is when the claim above is published, in any form of media. If someone where to blog, or write for a magazine a story that said Lauren sleeps around and cheats, this would be a form of Libel.
Slander is when Defamation is spoken out to a public group. (The expressing of the story via word of mouth). This would be if someone told their class that Lauren sleeps around and cheats.
*all names and situations are examples and any connections with real people or events are entirely coincidental.
Data Protection Act:
The Data Protection Act is an act of Parliament, which defines UK law that are involved with the processing of data on identifiable living people. It is the primary governor of the protection of data within the UK.
The act itself does not mention privacy, but it actually provides a way in which all individuals can control information about themselves.
Ethics:
Teenagers are often poorly portrayed by the Media, when in fact it is a very small percentage of them who actually cause a problem. This then makes the general public more afraid of them, heightening the problem. The media often shows the worst thing my generation gets up to, mainly to fear munger and to get a good story.
Muslims are poorly betrayed because of the situation in the wider world, and of the extremist view that a small percentage of those who follow that religion taints the public view of the rest, as once again we only hear the worst.
Celebrities. Although fame and the paparazzi go hand in hand, celebrities need the publication in order to survive, and the publications need the business, one shudders at the thought to have to live that life, with the press constantly sticking their noses into ones private life.
The Advertising Standards Authority is a self regulatory organisation concerning advertising in the United Kingdom. They are unable to actually enforce legislation but are more like a codes and conventions which in many cases do reflect actual legislation. Their purpose is to make sure that all advertising is created to the same high standards, and to regulate, which helps to stop false advertising for occurring.
Examples of specific codes that they put into pratice:
Before distributing or submitting a marketing communication for publication, marketers must hold documentary evidence to prove all claims, whether direct or implied, that are capable of objective substantiation,
To regulate the content of advertisements, sales promotions and direct marketing in the UK by investigating complaints made about ads, sales promotions or direct marketing,
No marketing communication should mislead, or be likely to mislead, by inaccuracy, ambiguity, exaggeration, omission or otherwise.
NUJ:
The National Union of Journalists is a trade union that was founded in 1907 for journalists in the UK. There are different councils for each sector which concerns the NUJ, which are, Newspapers and Agencies, Freelance, Magazine and Book, Broadcasting, New Media and Press and PR. It functions as a code of conventions that all journalists that join the union must strive to adhere by. It sets out the basic principles of responsible independent journalism and has been the model for numerous other journalists’ codes. All members agree to uphold its terms when they join the union.
Examples of these codes are as follows:
A journalist at all times upholds and defends the principle of media freedom, the right of freedom of expression and the right of the public to be informed,
To strive to ensure that information disseminated is honestly conveyed, accurate and fair,
Does her/his utmost to correct harmful inaccuracies,
PPC:
This is the regulatory body for printed media in the U.K, and it consists of representatives of the major publishers. It is not funded by the government, but by an annual Levy that it charges newspapers and magazines – however this is voluntary. The organisations involved with it adjust the rulings of it, which makes the industry self regulating.
It has not legal power, it is more of a set of codes and conducts that should be adhered by.
Examples from the code are as follows:
The press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures,
A fair opportunity for reply to inaccuracies must be given when reasonably called for,
Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications,
Three additional Codes I feel are relevant to the magazine publishing industry:
Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit,
It is unacceptable to photograph individuals in private places without their consent.
To differentiates between fact and opinion.
Criminal and Civil Law:
Civil law revolves around discrepancies between organisations, companies and people. This includes events such as suing, or lawsuits.
Criminal law is concerned with 'criminals' who commit a crime, which is against the Law of the concerning country. They criminal, if convicted is liable for sentence in Criminal court, which may result in a Jail sentence.
Health and Safety in the photography studio:
Cables/tripods are tidied away,
Act in a responsible manner (no prating about),
Equipment that is not being used is tidied away,
People are warned of the temperature of the lights / lights positioned to minimize risk to people in studio (i.e. not obstructing a walkway) and are not handled when on / have significant time to cool,
Making sure the background is secured and fastened down, and the subject is briefed not to walk into it.
Copyright:
To copyright a piece of work is to have the exclusive rights to it, awarded to the author or creator of an original work, allowing them to copy adapt and distribute that piece.
Any original idea can be copyrighted, but the term mainly applies to all forms of media, such as films, music and artwork.
By copyrighting work it means only the creator may profit from the piece.
Libel Law:
Defamation is when someone tries to effect someone else's reputation, by making up a story or a fake claim. For instance, to say Lauren sleeps around and cheats on her boyfriend*, when she does not, would be a form of Defamation.
Libel is when the claim above is published, in any form of media. If someone where to blog, or write for a magazine a story that said Lauren sleeps around and cheats, this would be a form of Libel.
Slander is when Defamation is spoken out to a public group. (The expressing of the story via word of mouth). This would be if someone told their class that Lauren sleeps around and cheats.
*all names and situations are examples and any connections with real people or events are entirely coincidental.
Data Protection Act:
The Data Protection Act is an act of Parliament, which defines UK law that are involved with the processing of data on identifiable living people. It is the primary governor of the protection of data within the UK.
The act itself does not mention privacy, but it actually provides a way in which all individuals can control information about themselves.
Ethics:
Teenagers are often poorly portrayed by the Media, when in fact it is a very small percentage of them who actually cause a problem. This then makes the general public more afraid of them, heightening the problem. The media often shows the worst thing my generation gets up to, mainly to fear munger and to get a good story.
Muslims are poorly betrayed because of the situation in the wider world, and of the extremist view that a small percentage of those who follow that religion taints the public view of the rest, as once again we only hear the worst.
Celebrities. Although fame and the paparazzi go hand in hand, celebrities need the publication in order to survive, and the publications need the business, one shudders at the thought to have to live that life, with the press constantly sticking their noses into ones private life.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Even more published work
Hey all,
I have got one of my photo's in a fairly major online publication, called Railway Herald, link is below, and my pic is on page 22.
http://www.railwayherald.org/magazine/pdf/RHUK/Issue207HIGH.pdf
(you have to download the magazine)
Happy days
I have got one of my photo's in a fairly major online publication, called Railway Herald, link is below, and my pic is on page 22.
http://www.railwayherald.org/magazine/pdf/RHUK/Issue207HIGH.pdf
(you have to download the magazine)
Happy days
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Study of the Middy part 4
Even with the fire, and all that heat, a steam engine is not immune to the snow.
Although that is not to say it will not fight it off.
Powering through a snow covered landscape,
Fighting hard against the cold.
And sometimes, as the train passes by,
We get clear skys,
And silhouettes from from the setting sun.
Other times it is overcast,
Or the snow does not cease,
But still we battle on,
Across the frozern landscape,
And across that setting sun,
Ensuring that the train will run.
Past the hedges,
Through the feild,
Along the little line we run.
Steaming here,
Steaming there,
Until the light begins to fade.
At which time things slow and stop,
And over the cover of darkness, we pack away.
Leaving only the Ghosts of the Middy to play.
It is worth noting that the Night shot with the blue sky was a 3 second exposure shot, held freehand. I am very impressed with how steady I was able to hold my camera - quite possibly because I was frozern.
Also worth noting is the Ghosts shot, there is a lot of detail that can be seen, such as the smoke box door being both open and shut.
Other Images I liked:
Mainy just edited and cropped versions of those above, but good enough still to be shown.
Although that is not to say it will not fight it off.
Powering through a snow covered landscape,
Fighting hard against the cold.
And sometimes, as the train passes by,
We get clear skys,
And silhouettes from from the setting sun.
Other times it is overcast,
Or the snow does not cease,
But still we battle on,
Across the frozern landscape,
And across that setting sun,
Ensuring that the train will run.
Past the hedges,
Through the feild,
Along the little line we run.
Steaming here,
Steaming there,
Until the light begins to fade.
At which time things slow and stop,
And over the cover of darkness, we pack away.
Leaving only the Ghosts of the Middy to play.
It is worth noting that the Night shot with the blue sky was a 3 second exposure shot, held freehand. I am very impressed with how steady I was able to hold my camera - quite possibly because I was frozern.
Also worth noting is the Ghosts shot, there is a lot of detail that can be seen, such as the smoke box door being both open and shut.
Other Images I liked:
Mainy just edited and cropped versions of those above, but good enough still to be shown.
Thursday, 24 December 2009
Night Shoots from Lowerstoft Firework show (after air show)
FireWorks
Long shutter speed at the fairground
Long shutter speed at the fairground
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