Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism (Associated Press Handbooks) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Written by noted AP photographer and photoeditor Brian Horton, this is an insider's manual to one of the most glamorous and exciting media professions. Emphasizing the creative process behind the photojournalist's art, Brian Horton draws upon his three decades of experience, as well as the experiences of other award-winning photojournalists, to instruct readers in the secrets of snapping memorable news photos every time. With the help of more than 100 photographs from the AP archives, he analyzes what constitutes successful news photos of every type, including portraits, tableaux, sports shots, battlefield scenes, and more, as well as offering tips on how to develop a style of your own.

From the Back Cover

An expert's guide to the art and craft of making great news photos, every time

"Reporting with a camera. Capturing the instant for others. The ‘decisive moment.' Photojournalism." --Brian Horton

Noted AP photographer and photo editor, Brian Horton takes you beyond the basics of lenses and exposure times to offer a rare, insider's perspective on the art and craft of photojournalism. While he does provide useful instruction on technical considerations such as picking the right angle and lighting a situation, his main concern is with the less tangible, wholly indispensable elements of content, style, and the creative process.

Using more than 100 photographs from the AP archives to illustrate his points, Horton analyzes what constitutes great news photos of every type, including portraits, tableaus, sports shots, battlefield scenes, and more. He offers unique insights into composition and style, along with invaluable advice on how to develop a style of your own. And, in a chapter new to this edition, he explores the pros and cons of digital photography and the latest developments in digital development and processing.

In writing The Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism, Brian Horton conducted extensive interviews with other award-winning photojournalists, whose voices echo throughout the book, sharing unforgettable war stories and hard-won insights into what it takes to seek and find memorable news photographs.

Brian Horton is Senior Photo Editor for the Associated Press. He is also AP's LaserPhoto network director. An AP veteran of 30 years' experience, he has covered the World Series, the Super Bowl, the Triple Crown, the Winter and Summer Olympics, World Cup soccer, the Indianapolis 500, the NBA Finals, and other major sports events. He also has covered news events ranging from the Gulf War to coal mine disasters, presidential campaigns and political conventions.

Also Available in the Associated Press series: Associated Press Broadcast News Handbook

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 2nd edition (October 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071363874
• ISBN-13: 978-0071363877
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,794 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How to think, but not how to see, June 14, 2001

By	m_s_ - See all my reviews

This book is an excellent primer on the basics of photojournalism, and a good how-to guide on becoming a journeyman photojournalist. With chapters on each of the "bread-and-butter" categories of newspaper photography - sports, features, news, etc. - each section has interviews with veteran AP photographers on how they approach these sorts of assignments, and tips to help ensure that one will come back with a serviceable picture. In short, it's a good book for someone who's just getting their feet wet in the business of newspaper photography, and I'm glad it was one of the first books in my photojournalism library.

But much like AP photojournalism itself, the focus of this book is on how to create simple, clean images that tell the immediate story of the day. Except for some talk of basic "picture packages" in the features chapter, there's no suggestions on how to brainstorm and develop an in-depth photos essay, nor is there much type given on taking risks visually with photography, and creating new and innovative images while documenting the world.

In short, this book is a primer, and a fairly decent one at that. But I would urge anyone who picks this up to also get a book or three of photo essays and see how they can take their work to the next level.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism, May 20, 2001

By	Nicholas M. Sullivan (Hermitage, Tn United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a great inside look at photojournalism as it is practiced by the photographers of the world's leading news agency. Their work methods, how they think and react to a situation, and the forces that motivate them are all fascinating reading. And, the book is so current. It seems like only yesterday that we saw many of the photographs in this book first in our daily newspaper. Several of those photographs are analyzed in depth. The future of photojournalism also is discussed.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice introduction book, September 13, 2002

By	"amitaigt" (Israel) - See all my reviews

I bought this book since I want to become a photojournalist.
I am a photographer who has graduated a photo school few months ago. this book isn't for beginners, The little technical data may be misleading if read by a novice. Instead, it deals with content and the thinking and working process of photographers in this field. I find it as a nice introduction to the world of photojournalism,though a little "too good to be true" kind of book. The book definitely doesn't deal with the problems, the deadlines, the failures and the risks. This is like a postcard, where everything is perfect. There is a good side though, it is easily read, and very interesting. You want a more serious book, look some place else...
If you have the spare bucks though, don't hasitate and buy it!!!