Summary: Pictures can engage a reader on a level that the written word can’t, no matter how well one writes. As ubiquitous as digital cameras have become, it behooves the aspiring online journalist to acquire basic photography and photo-editing skills.
Digital photography, the basics:
What is a megapixel?
Digital cameras measure the size of the image by pixels, specifically megapixels. The larger the megapixels, the larger the digital image size (also known as the resolution). This is important not only when taking photos but also editing and uploading them. A large megapixel image is good for cropping a smaller area or making a large print, but is not desirable when uploading to a Web site.
What is zoom?
Zoom is how far away a camera can bring an image into view. Digital cameras measure their zoom by magnification (i.e. 5x = five times the magnification). Digital cameras also offer a function called “digital zoom” which is much like blowing up a photo on your computer; it will make the image larger but the quality will suffer.
When should I use the flash?
A camera flash helps direct more light on a subject, but may have the undesirable effect of making them look too shiny. Using natural lighting or a brightly lit room is ideal, but avoid having your subject stand in front of the light source. Other considerations should also be taken when using a flash.
What is composition?
The goal of photographers is to capture a fleeting moment that tells a great visual story. Having a basic understanding on how to compose your photos will make the difference.
Editing a digital photo:
A popular photo editing software is Adobe Photoshop, but there also free programs such as Google’s Picassa or GIMP for basic photo editing and resizing.
When editing a photo.
Edit a copy and not the original.
Keep in mind the resolution of the image you are using, less that one megapixel if you want to upload the image on a blog or Web site.
Correct the color and tone, an off color photo looks unprofessional.
When publishing a photo on a blog.
Use wrap around text so there are no awkward spaces between your uploaded image and blog text.
Use intuitive alternate text so its easier for search engines to find your photo.
You are really adding a link to your photo, so the image needs to be uplioaded on the web for your blog to find it.
When it’s NOT YOUR PHOTO
Not all images on the web are free to be used. Copyrighted images need permission from the copyright holder to be republished, some images found in the Creative Commons have limited use capability for not-for profit Web sites. Refresh yourself on the use of copyrighted images, and always attribute!
Summary: The Washington Post’s usability editor gives tips on increasing the usability of a Web site and how it impacts news organizations.
Online journalists need to create a package when publishing stories because consumers of news are no longer satisfied by having a one-way conversation with news providers.
Highlights:
The user engagement team at the Washington Posts consists of nine people.
Social media allows for immediacy and interactivity, allows us to build relationships with our users. The media suffers from a trust issue with the public, social media will help build it back.
Verifying a story and immediacy are big issues with internet journalism today. See reports immediately after the Gabby Gifford’s shooting as an example.
How to be social with your journalism; run a poll, pay attention to comments and respond, ask for ideas, host a poll, ask for photos.
Actively seek experts, “you may be talented and smart, but there is always someone smarter.”
There is no formula to measure user engagement, but the amount of user generated content and the time users stay on a page are a good start.
Summary: JC Penny is being investigated by Google for gaming the search engine in order to have its Web site appear on top of Google’s search results for items such as dresses, bedding and skinny jeans. The article explores a secret industry that utilizes Google search algorithm’s to improve a site’s organic search rank.
Image from http://blog.tigglobal.com
Apparently you can game Google’s algorithm if you have the time, or pay someone to do it. Vanessa Fox’s blog Nine by Blue links to a New York Time’s article about Google’s investigation into JC Penny’s Web site appearing on the top of Google’s search results on everything the store carries.
Without asserting that JC Penny actually engaged in the practice, it is easy to understand why it would be tempting. When conducting a web search, most people avoid the paid advertising link that appears on the top of the results. While “black-hat” optimization is not illegal, it is looked down upon by Google, and anyone caught doing so risks banishment from its search engine results.
BMW was caught by doing in 2006.
And how does one game Google? Simple, have as many Web sites link to you with the desired anchor as possible. You can do this by making a few hundred Web sites designed for that purpose, or pay a bunch of Web site owners to add it to their site.
Or you can just find a marketing company willing to do this for you.
Summary: Technological advances have made it essential for a serious online journalist to go mobile, meaning he or she can be anywhere and quickly gather, report, and publish their own story. In becoming an effective mobile journalist, you need to have the right tools in with you when the story breaks.
What a mobile journalist needs:
Laptop computer: To organize the elements and write your story. A netbook may provide a lighter option.
Internet connection: Whether you have a wireless connection or an aircard through a mobile service, you can’t publish anything without being connected to the Web.
Digital camera/camcorder : A point-and-shoot digital camera provides a convenient option. Many digital cameras will record video as well (the reverse is also true). Make sure its digital and that you have a large enough memory card to hold your media.
A compact tripod: A steady video will be taken more seriously than a shaky Blair Witch style video. Make sure it compact, larger tripods may be cumbersome.
Audio recorder
Headphones: A sturdy and noise-cancelling model is ideal.
Microphone: Find one with a windshield.
Cell phone: This goes without saying.
Publishing options
You can publish stories on either a regular or micro-blog. Or you can post a link of your story directing readers from your micro-blog to your regular blog.
Summary: Microblogging has provided a great way for journalists to build a reputation for themselves using social media. Micro-blogs arose from the evolution of instant messaging, text message and internet relay chat. It has exploded in popularity since 2006, by limiting messages to 140 characters and easily upload images and video, users can quickly post on their micro-blog through their personal computers or hand-held devices.
Key Concepts:
Micro-blogging as an important tool: “Micro-blogging trains you to look for interesting things around you,” according to Paul Bradshaw. It also is the fastest way to recieve breaking news, since micro-bloggers will relay an event in virtually real-time. It also provides an excellant tool for crowdsourcing, harvesting the power and observations from a given network.
Start using Twitter: Currently twitter is the most widely used micro-blogging site. To open an account, go to www.twitter.com, if you need to understand how to use it, click here.
