‘Photojournalism a responsibility’

Photography is a lifestyle and photojournalism is a responsibility.

This was the message of GMA News TV director of photography Rogelio Luis Liwanag yesterday,  the first day of a workshop on  “Visual Literacy in Photo Story and Photo Editing” at the Southwestern University.

Liwanag said photojournalists should treat each photo shoot as a visual expedition of still or moving subjects.

“In taking photos, put your heart and mind in one plane and be ready for the moment,” said Liwanag, a 30-year practitioner.

The “quality of light” can define an image and “an image can have multiple elements,” including emotion.

Photos do not only show hard news but “should also have human interest and sidelights.”

He explained that the “point of entry” in a photo will draw the reader into the image.

He also discussed  the “rule of thirds” in handling proportion by dividing a photo canvas into three areas.

The “element of surprise” is also important because it is the  photographer’s decisive moment.

Liwanag also discussed juxtaposition, mood, sense of place, visual perspective and layering.

The workshop continues today with a discussion on  cinematography.

The forum was mounted by LENS, the association of Cebu photojournalists, and was attended by college students and photojournalists from different news outlets. The forum was sponsored by Aboitiz Equity Ventures, SWU and Canon. /Rhea Ruth V. Rosell, Correspondent