Introduction to Photo Journalism
ART-40693
Introduction to Photo Journalism
6 Weeks | No Prerequisite
Step into the world of photojournalism, where powerful images shape public perception and ignite change. In this course, you’ll examine the history of the medium, discovering how iconic photographs have influenced social dialogue, political movements, and our collective understanding of current and past events. By learning about influential photojournalists and the stories behind their work, you’ll gain insight into the craft’s responsibility, power, and purpose.
Course Details
As you progress, you’ll master essential techniques to capture decisive moments, leverage natural and artificial light, and compose compelling narratives through visuals. The curriculum includes critical lessons on ethics, the importance of captions, and building a rapport with your subjects—skills that help you navigate the delicate balance between truth-telling and respect for human dignity.
Your assignments will encourage real-world application: researching a subject, shooting single images, and crafting a photo essay. Along the way, you’ll refine your ability to see beyond the surface, uncover the deeper meaning in everyday scenes, and use photography as a tool for authentic storytelling. When you complete this course, you’ll be ready to approach photojournalism with confidence, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to integrity.
What You'll Learn
- Understand the historical impact and evolution of photojournalism.
- Identify influential photojournalists and their contributions to the field.
- Apply technical camera skills and manual settings to capture decisive moments.
- Utilize composition and lighting techniques to enhance storytelling.
- Edit and cull images effectively using recommended software.
- Incorporate ethical standards and accurate captions in your work.
- Critically analyze and interpret the meaning behind both classic and contemporary images.
- Develop visual literacy and communicate narratives through intentional image sequences.
- Plan, research, and produce a cohesive photo essay on a chosen subject.
- Approach diverse communities and subjects with respect, empathy, and journalistic integrity.
Course Information
Equipment/Software: A camera (DSLR, mirrorless, film camera, or smartphone) capable of manual adjustments. Photo Mechanic (recommended) for viewing and culling images. Adobe Lightroom (recommended) for image editing.
Flexible Enrollment: This is an elective for the Photography: Images and Techniques Professional Certificate but is open to all students, even if you're not enrolled in the Certificate Program.
Academic Calendar: The Academic Calendar shows the open enrollment dates and term start dates for each quarter. Courses do not necessarily start on the first day of the term.
Course sessions
Section ID:
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This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/25/2025
- Early enrollment advised
- No UCSD parking permit required
- No visitors permitted
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Schedule:
Instructor:
Bernadette Johnston
Bernadette Johnston teaches Family Pictures, Documentary Photography, and Introduction to Photo Journalism for the Photography: Images and Techniques certificate program. Bernadette is a San Diego based photographer who is interested in the intersection of visual aesthetics and story telling. After studying Photography and Sociology at Ithaca College in New York, Bernadette began her career in San Diego over 15 years ago. Interested in the refugee experience, Bernadette became Program Manager at the AjA Project, a local non-profit that uses photography to empower recently resettled refugee and immigrant youth. At AjA, she developed photography curriculum that enabled San Diego youth to think critically about their stories, hone photography and writing skills and share their images and stories in public exhibits in an effort to foster understanding and create positive change in their new communities. With AjA, she also had the opportunity to travel to Bogota, Colombia to work with internally displaced youth there.
In 2006, Bernadette founded Narrative Images with her husband and fellow photographer, Richard Unis. Narrative Images started as a wedding photography company, approaching weddings from a journalistic, documentary perspective and has since grown into 4 distinct brands covering weddings, corporate events, portraiture and social documentary. Bernadette and Rick have photographed events and projects all over the US and internationally and enjoy the challenges that come with the variety of the work they do. Their corporate clients include IBM, Starbucks, HP, the Washington Post, Toyota, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Bernadette especially loves when her Sociology background intersects with photography in her work with non-profit organizations like Father Joe’s Villages and in her Healthcare in America Project (done in partnership with San Diego Organizing Project) where she photographed people across the country as they told their healthcare stories. The photos were eventually displayed in the Capitol Building during the debate and eventual passing of the Affordable Care Act.
Bernadette’s BA in Sociology and Photography includes black and white and color darkroom experience, photojournalism, documentary, fine art and studio photography.