Teaching Statement:

It has been said that photojournalism, when done properly, is like writing with a camera. Every picture should tell the story.

Whether recording a devastating car accident or covering an agricultural fair, photojournalists document history, each photograph providing a window on reality. The goals are photojournalism are fairly simple: To produce timely, quality images which can be used in a variety of news publications. Starting with the basics, I teach students how to produce professional, meaningful photographs for use by newspapers.

Drawing on my extensive experience in the newspaper industry, I help students understand what editors demand for the paper and what readers want to see. To achieve this goal, initial classes deal with the process of achieving a good photograph, from basic technical information to the fundamentals of composition. A photograph may be worth 1,000 words but only if it is clean, easy to understand and technically proficient.

Students will be taught how to transform themselves from point-and-shoot photographers to visual storytellers, able to cover the key elements of an event in a single image.

Course assignments mirror the work of newspaper photojournalists as students will be asked to cover a range of events which may include protests, news conferences or environmental portraits.

Featuring lectures, guest speakers and regular analysis of daily newspaper photographs, classroom discussions will include camera handling, ethics, legal issues, creating a portfolio and selling your photographs.

With rapid technology advancements, the course details the new era of digital photography. But there is also an equal and important emphasis on the traditional techniques as students are taught basic 35-mm film camera proficiency and darkroom skills, knowledge which can then be applied to the latest digital advances.

My primary focus is to help develop strong photojournalism skills in students, whether technical - such as camera functions, lighting and Photoshop - or creative - such as composition and content.

I try to inform and inspire students through critique of their work. In a positive, encouraging environment, classroom critiques are framed with two central questions: Does this photograph tell the story? How could it be improved? Viewing the work of others - and having your work discussed by the class - provides valuable lessons for everyone.

After nearly two decades in the business, my enthusiasm and passion for photojournalism hasn’t wavered. Teaching has allowed me to give back to my chosen profession. The energy and passion students generate in class makes the experience truly rewarding.