Photojournalist

If you have a passion for photography and a desire to tell compelling stories using words and images, then the photojournalism course at Up To Speed is for you.
The syllabus you will take is built around NCTJ qualifications and is being constantly refined in consultation with leading news photographers to ensure it prepares you for today’s working environment.
But before you take a look at how the course works, why don’t you take a few seconds to picture yourself working as a photojournalist when you qualify?




Your Tutor

Your photography tutor will be Neil Turner, Vice-Chairman of the British Press Photographers’ Association. Neil has worked as a press photographer since the mid 1980s, including 14 years as a staff photographer for The Times Supplements.

You can see a selection of Neil’s work here:

Photo: Neil Turner Labour Party Annual Conference, Brighton. David Miliband MP. Former Foreign Secretary David Miliband MP. Photo: Neil Turner Labour Party Annual Conference, Brighton. David Miliband MP.
Campaign Against the Arms Trade demo at the British Aerospace AGM. Un-named protestor with simulated blood Photo: Neil Turner Neil Turner work - 12 Campaign Against the Arms Trade demo at the British Aerospace AGM. Un-named protestor with simulated blood Photo: Neil Turner
Photo: Neil Turner. 14.10.2005. David Cameron MP, as Shadow Education Secretary visiting Abingdon and Witney College in his constituency. Prime Minister David Cameron Photo: Neil Turner. 14.10.2005. David Cameron MP, as Shadow Education Secretary visiting Abingdon and Witney College in his constituency.
Photo: © Neil Turner | 10.02.2009 Sir Paul Stephenson The Commissioner of The Metropolitan Police appointed to the post in January 2009 having been Acting Commissioner for several months. Photographed speaking to over 2000 members of Metropolitan Police Service at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. Operation Torch. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Photo: © Neil Turner | 10.02.2009 Sir Paul Stephenson The Commissioner of The Metropolitan Police appointed to the post in January 2009 having been Acting Commissioner for several months. Photographed speaking to over 2000 members of Metropolitan Police Service at the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster. Operation Torch.
Photo: © Neil Turner | 12.06.2009 Operation Hard Block at Romford British Rail Station in the Havering Borough. Metropolitan Police Officers and staff along with British Transport Police Officers take part in an operation to screen Friday evening rush hour commuters and passengers for drugs and weapons whilst providing advice and support for members of the public who would otherwise rarely get to speak to the police. Neil Turner work - 09 Photo: © Neil Turner | 12.06.2009 Operation Hard Block at Romford British Rail Station in the Havering Borough. Metropolitan Police Officers and staff along with British Transport Police Officers take part in an operation to screen Friday evening rush hour commuters and passengers for drugs and weapons whilst providing advice and support for members of the public who would otherwise rarely get to speak to the police.
Photo: © Neil Turner | 27.10.2008 Dave Miller is a grave digger working for Bournemouth Borough Council. He has been with the service since he was sixteen and he is now forty-two years old. Photographed at Bournemouth Crematorium and North Cemetery at dusk. Neil Turner work - 08 Photo: © Neil Turner | 27.10.2008 Dave Miller is a grave digger working for Bournemouth Borough Council. He has been with the service since he was sixteen and he is now forty-two years old. Photographed at Bournemouth Crematorium and North Cemetery at dusk.
Photo: © Neil Turner | 11.06.2009 Headley Court near Epsom in Surrey is a specialist military hospital working with servicemen injured in the line of duty. There is a prosthetics centre which works with those that have lost limbs to assess their needs and provide them with prosthetics and training in their use. Marine Joe Townsend lost both legs in combat and is working with the centre staff to learn to walk again. Neil Turner work - 07 Photo: © Neil Turner | 11.06.2009 Headley Court near Epsom in Surrey is a specialist military hospital working with servicemen injured in the line of duty. There is a prosthetics centre which works with those that have lost limbs to assess their needs and provide them with prosthetics and training in their use. Marine Joe Townsend lost both legs in combat and is working with the centre staff to learn to walk again.
Photo: © Neil Turner | 16.03.2009 Haverstock School in Camden London NW1 is a Business and Enterprise Academy and runs career academies with sixth form pupils in conjunction with Career Academies - a charity working with schools to give them help with more business focused education for the right pupils. Visiting business "guru" lecturer Richard Roberts from GE Capital . Neil Turner work - 06 Photo: © Neil Turner | 16.03.2009 Haverstock School in Camden London NW1 is a Business and Enterprise Academy and runs career academies with sixth form pupils in conjunction with Career Academies - a charity working with schools to give them help with more business focused education for the right pupils. Visiting business "guru" lecturer Richard Roberts from GE Capital .
New Years Day 2005 in Bournemouth. Young boy enjoys the beach. New Year's Day New Years Day 2005 in Bournemouth. Young boy enjoys the beach.
The Black Country Challenge area is The Government Neil Turner work - 04 The Black Country Challenge area is The Government's new extension of it's successful London Challenge. The zone is centred on Wolverhampton. This picture shows the centre of Willenhall, WV13
John Redwood MP, Secretary of State for Wales during an interview with the TES. Neil Turner work - 03 John Redwood MP, Secretary of State for Wales during an interview with the TES.
The late Mr Henry Allingham, 112 years old, photographed in 2009. Mr Allingham was one of the oldest of the surviving servicemen who saw active service in WW1. Neil Turner work - 02 The late Mr Henry Allingham, 112 years old, photographed in 2009. Mr Allingham was one of the oldest of the surviving servicemen who saw active service in WW1.
7th November 2009, Fisherman Neil Turner work - 01 7th November 2009, Fisherman's Walk, Bournemouth. Twenty five year old golfer Terry Moore-Matheson posing on the beach at dusk for portrait/action pictures.


Your Career

Photojournalism isn’t 9-5; it’s not even Monday to Friday. What it does offer is a unique mix of boredom and adrenaline combined with the ability to tell stories with images. You will acquire a thorough understanding of the technical aspects of the craft, but also develop an imaginative eye and an appreciation of the many ways of telling those stories.

Term One
An intensive 12-week term at our training centre in the Daily Echo, Bournemouth.

You will learn how to take effective digital still photographs and how to shoot and edit video as well as how to write stories and picture captions. You will also learn in detail about how the law affects you as a photojournalist.

At the end of this term you will take the following NCTJ exams:

Photographic Knowledge

News and Caption Writing

Essential Law For Photographers

Classroom time: Tuesday to Friday 10-6pm

Term Two

In the second term you will put the lessons you have learned into practice while continuing to study for further NCTJ exams and assessments.
The emphasis will be on practical press photography and photojournalism. With our help you will find work placements and assignments in photography, video journalism and photojournalism. Once a week you will take an additional course in photographic practice with our tutors at Up To Speed, who will also guide you through the process of putting together your photographer’s portfolio.

At the end of the term you will take an exam in Photographic Practice and your Portfolio will be assessed. You can see more details on all these units by following the side-bar menu above.

Successful students will be awarded the NCTJ Certificate.