The Cronkite School’s first organized photojournalism group, the Walter Cronkite Photojournalism Club, will hold their second meeting on Monday night.
Two Cronkite School freshmen, Alex Lancial and Jake Stein, took the initiative to start the club for Downtown students interested in photojournalism.
“When school started, Jake and I noticed there was no club for photojournalism,” Lancial said. “We thought it was odd, so we started our own.”
About 15 to 20 students attended the club’s first meeting, which meets again in room 355 of the Walter Cronkite School at 6 p.m. on Monday. The number of students interested in the club continues to gradually increase, and the Facebook group now has about 47 members.
“We started the club so students would have more opportunities with networking, gaining experience and building portfolios,” Lancial said.
Some students at the Cronkite School are beginning to put more focus on photojournalism.
The school recently debated canceling Photojournalism II classes for the 2011 spring semester. However, due to an increased student interest in photojournalism, the availability of these classes will continue through the next semester.
Associate Dean Kristin Gilger said the Cronkite School offers plenty of opportunities for students interested in the photography aspect of journalism. Currently, Photography I and Photography II are specifically designed for photojournalism while classes like Depth Reporting, News 21, Multimedia Reporting and Videography allow students to further develop skills in visual journalism.
“Taking different classes in visual journalism will benefit students because they will need a wide range of skills when looking for a job, not just skills in photography,” Gilger said.
Online Media professor Nancie Dodge said she remembers when the Cronkite School didn’t offer any photojournalism classes at all. Although the availability of classes for students interested in visual journalism has improved, Dodge would like to see more growth.
“People have to ask for the classes and the demand must be there,” Dodge said. “Students just have to say ‘we need this,’ and the school will get it. I’m always pushing for more and more visual classes. There could be 50 and I would still say I want more.”
Photojournalism professor Roy Dabner said he was glad that changes are finally being made to help students excel in his classes, including the purchase of new camera equipment.
“In my first years teaching these classes, we were very limited because we didn’t have the equipment needed to shoot at ASU’s games held at night,” Dabner said. “The new equipment that just came in is really helping, and I can see improvements just from these first couple weeks of using it.”
Currently, Dabner’s classes are maxed out, and he said he hopes the enthusiasm for photojournalism continues.
“When people hear the name ‘The Walter Cronkite School,’ right away they think broadcast, but I’m hoping that will change,” Dabner said. “When I first started teaching here, photojournalism was almost forgotten, but I’ve seen major improvements and a lot more interest since then.”
Former State Press photographer Damien Maloney won the 2010 Greg Crowder Memorial Photojournalism Award based on his portfolio of eight photos he took and submitted. A judge told Maloney that the variety of his photos contributed to the photographer’s success.
“The photojournalism industry is changing and requiring more well-rounded people,” Maloney said. “People just have to get out there and freelance or do whatever it takes to be successful.”
Pulitzer Prize-Winning photojournalist Michel duCille, who spoke at the Cronkite School’s “Must See Monday” on Nov. 8, discussed the importance of possessing skills in several aspects of journalism with students.
“You might be thinking, ‘Do you really expect us to be a great photojournalist, a great journalist, great at video and great at multimedia?’” du Cille said to the students. “Well, the answer is yes.”
“You’re the ones who are going to save journalism, and I challenge you to go out there and do it.”
Contact the reporter at katie.kunkel@asu.edu
