Caption, cropping, color balance, tone balance, diaphragm, lens – all these notions are no longer foreign to SAJ students due to the course of photojournalism. For five days (September 19-23), they had been learning the secrets of successful photography and how a single image can replace a thousand words. Trainer Nicolae Pojoga, lecturer at the Arts Academy of Moldova, led them into the world of photography.

The course began with studying the functioning principles of a camera. Then, via practical exercises, students learned the rules of photographic composition and editing. A special emphasis was placed on understanding the notion of caption and the rules of writing it. “In most cases, this text is the only words that a hurried reader grasps. It depends on you what information you’ll succeed to deliver,” Nicolae Pojoga said. To apply the theory learned at the course, SAJ students made a working visit to Colonita village in Chisinau municipality.

The ethics and deontology of photojournalism was one of the key topics discussed during classes and it raised heated discussions among students. Divided into two camps, they simulated a public debate, where they spoke about the principles for and against publishing a picture in a magazine.

SAJ students also discussed about the art of photography and the challenges of this profession with the special guest of the course, photographer Ramin Mazur. He spoke to students about his work experience and mentioned that a photojournalist’s job is not quite as easy as it might seem at first glance. “You must be a true professional and work with dedication and passion,” Ramin said.

Students were impressed by the things they learned, especially given that for some of them the course of photojournalism was among the reasons why they chose to study at the SAJ. “I have a passion for quality photography, and now I understand what hard work there is behind a successful image,” said student Cristina Papusoi.

The next course in the SAJ study plan is “The Interview.”