Photojournalism: The Professionals' Approach, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

~ Kenneth Kobre (Author) "Steve Linsenmayer, of the Fort Wayne (Indiana) News-Sentinel, heard the darkroom's emergency band scanner cackle, "Structure fire..." (more)
Key Phrases: many photojournalists, news photographer, contract photographer, New York, San Francisco, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Every press photographer should own this book, newcomer or old hand. Apart from being a manual for the profession, it's a wonderful source of ideas. Highly recommended.' - Professional Photographer -- Review

Review

"I repeatedly have students comment on how interesting this book is. Now that's saying something."
-Walter Coker, Univ. of North Florida

"A foundation text in journalism that improves with each edition."
-James Kelly, Southern Illinois University

"Insightful photographs and very good examples given for each particular topic. Kobre has done an excellent job."

Covering the Issues is Excellent! Ethics & legal issues well covered. Get rid of photo on page 86.
- Sean Meyers, Texas Tech University

"Very comprehensive. Still the best on the market."
- Art Hansen, Lansing Community College

"Kobre's book offers relevant information for every photojournalist from the beginning student to the seasoned professional. I've been referring to it for the more than a decade now."
Jenni Kolsky, CSU Pomona

"Ken Kobre is always up to date with news photography in the U.S...concise and right on point chapter after chapter...the complete photojournalism manual."
-Jim W. Vestal, California State Univ. Hayward

'Profusely illustrated with mainly black and white photos, Photojournalism
brings back the great days of Picture Post and Life.'

Include Eugene Smith's Nurse Midwife photo essy.

"a thoughtful and thoroughly insightful look into photojournalism...the bible for photojournalism students..."

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 4th edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240804155
• ISBN-13: 978-0240804156
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #828,058 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Photojournalist's bible, March 17, 2001

By	Louie N. "digger" (Uvalde, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Just as Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style" is considered required reading for any writer, Kobre's "Photojournalism, The Professionals' Approach" is an essential instructional manual for the aspiring or advanced photojournalist.

As a working photographer for almost 20 years, I've owned previous editions of Kobre's book and always make it a point to keep one within reach. I recommend it to anyone interested in photojournalism, especially high school and college students. While filled with detailed photographic theory and principles, the format of the book is very easy to follow and introduces fundamentals and advanced techniques with equal ease.

Perhaps my most-read sections are the chapters on ethics and the responsibilities of the photographer to the community they serve. Society requires a photojournalist to be held accountable for their actions; to be honest and compassionate, yet unflinchingly accurate when reporting the news.

Although the price tag is a bit on the high side, the information Kobre shares is priceless.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost "The One Textbook" for Photojournalism, March 7, 2006

By	Jim Peppler (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Photojournalism, Fifth Edition: The Professionals' Approach (Paperback)

I have been using Kobre's excellent book as a text for teaching Introductory Photojournalism ever since the first edition; it has always been the best source out there for teaching and has improved with each edition. I consider the current (5th Edition) is be almost "The ONE Textbook" for learning everything you need to know for understanding and practicing Photojournalism. A bit more on layout and design for Picture Stories would make it perfect.
In my full-time job I've been a full-time staff photographer with a large daily newspaper for over 30 years, and still, I come across something new with every reading of this book.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tremendously useful; a photojournalist's bible, April 4, 2004

By	R.J. Corby (Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

I bought this book for a photography class at Temple University, and it now serves as a wonderful guide and mentor toward all aspects of photojournalism. Readings from this book provided much debate and learning experiences for our class.

For photography students, this book is top notch. For photo editors or freelance photographers, this book may serve as a useful guide, especially in the area of ethics when taking and publishing pictures.

This is a valuable book that will remain on my bookshelf until a new edition rolls out. Through the excellence of this book, the author has earned my loyalty for another edition. Highly recommended.