A Photojournalist's Field Guide

Book excerpt: Stacy Pearsall is the most decorated female war photographer of our time and an award-winning photojournalist. In this hands-on practical guide, Stacy offers students the techniques, insights, and inspiration they need to be successful photojournalists. Starting with an overview of photojournalism and her role in the profession, Stacy then dives into the details, providing keen insights into preparing for long- and short-term assignments, living and working in harsh conditions, maintaining physical and mental health, and managing relationships with subjects. Stacy also discusses her personal shooting techniques and offers tips on equipment, giving students suggestions for getting the best shots they can, even under potentially difficult circumstances. The book interweaves hundreds of Stacy's amazing photographs with stories of her experiences in the field, providing context for her work and offering "Insights" sections that delve deeply into various techniques. "In the Trenches" sections will draw the student into the stories behind the shots. The book also features "Quick Tips" to give students succinct solutions to many of the problems they may face on the job. Finally, the book includes a walk-through of a full photojournalism assignment so students can learn how to tackle and complete a project from start to finish.