Thursday, July 12, 2007

Pictures are the most important

We are a television station and we use pictures to tell a story. It may sound strange but I have to explain this to people all the time. I once had a News Director who would yell without video it would be called newspaper. (Yes I know you can get video from newspapers these days but you get the point.)

While you the viewer see Melanie and Bill on the desk or Ken and Frank reporting on a story none of it would be possible without the photographer. Being able to see a story takes skill and constant creativity. Every story brings another creative idea on how to tell a story better. Think about a story you saw on the news...one that really got you to watch as much as you hear it that was provided by the photographer. Pictures hold emotions and being able to point and shot is one thing but stirring emotion in the eye of viewer is something entirely different. 

A photographer holds the key to the story inside a lens. It doesn’t matter how good a reporter is if they don’t have the video to write the story. A story is never written until after a reporter or producer watches the video because what you are seeing tells the story you are hearing. They work hand in hand.

I have been very lucky to work with some amazing photographers. So next time you watch the news think about the person on the other side of the lens who played a very important role in bringing the story alive for you to understand. And thanks to all the photogs behind the scenes who work so hard to bring a simple picture to life. You are truly invaluable.

Erin Worrell