After a 15-year sabbatical from the industry, I needed to update my photographic skills. The technology had completely changed to digital and software, and the publishing and business side of the photography industry has been disrupted with rise of social media, downsizing of media company staff including photography and consolidation of media ownership.
I looked around for the best documentary and photojournalism schools in the world and found Spéos International Photography School had partnered with the renowned Magnum Photos agency to deliver the French equivalent to a degree in documentary photography.
An added bonus is the incredible experience of being a photography student in Paris, one of the most picturesque cities on earth.
In 2023, Spéos also partnered with one of the world’s best wire services, Agence France-Presse, to deliver a one year course in photojournalism. Having worked for the wire services in the past, I can highly recommend both courses to photography students at all stages of their careers.
Depending on which field of photography you want to specialise in, the documentary and photojournalism classes are offered in partnership with world leaders in the industry. Speos are offering the dedicated photojournalism with AFP for the first time in 2024.
What is the difference between Documentary Photography and Photojournalism.
While documentary photography and photojournalism share similarities, they also have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Here are the key differences between documentary photography and photojournalism:
Purpose and Intent:
- Documentary Photography: The primary goal of documentary photography is to create a comprehensive visual record of a particular subject or issue. It often involves a more extended and in-depth exploration of a theme, allowing the photographer to convey a broader narrative.
- Photojournalism: Photojournalism is focused on capturing and presenting news events. Its primary objective is to provide immediate and timely visual coverage of current events, often for publication in newspapers, magazines, or online platforms.
Timeframe:
- Documentary Photography: Documentary projects typically unfold over a more extended period, allowing photographers to delve deep into a subject, conduct in-depth research, and capture a more comprehensive story.
- Photojournalism: Photojournalism is characterized by its immediacy. Photojournalists often work under tight deadlines, capturing images in real-time to report on breaking news or events as they unfold.
Storytelling Approach:
- Documentary Photography: Documentary photographers often take a more subjective and interpretative approach to storytelling. They may use a combination of images and text to convey a narrative that goes beyond the immediate facts.
- Photojournalism: Photojournalists aim to capture objective and unbiased images that accurately represent the events they cover. The emphasis is on visual storytelling that communicates the facts and emotions of a news story.
Publication Context:
- Documentary Photography: Documentary projects are often published in the form of books, exhibitions, or online platforms that allow for a more extended exploration of the subject.
- Photojournalism: Photojournalistic images are typically published in newspapers, magazines, or online news outlets with the goal of informing the public about current events.
Engagement with Subjects:
- Documentary Photography: Documentary photographers often spend more time with their subjects, building relationships and gaining a deeper understanding of the context surrounding their work.
- Photojournalism: Photojournalists may have limited time to engage with subjects, as they often need to quickly capture images in rapidly changing and sometimes chaotic situations.
While these distinctions exist, it’s important to note that there can be overlap between documentary photography and photojournalism, and photographers may incorporate elements of both approaches in their work.
Tripadvisor Top Travel Destination: Paris
Magnum Photos documentary photography course
Magnum Photos and Spéos Photo School have collaborated to establish an exclusive master class focused on Creative Documentary in Paris. Conducted exclusively in English, this intensive program is situated in Paris. With its integration into Magnum Photos, the program provides students with a distinctive learning opportunity, offering regular interactions with Magnum photographers.
The Creative Documentary program is tailored for individuals aspiring to forge a path in documentary photography and/or photojournalism, aligning with the Magnum Photos tradition of visual storytelling.
Geared towards students possessing the maturity and proficiency required for extensive thematic projects, the program encompasses assignments ranging from event photojournalism and concise photo essays to an extensive, in-depth personal project.
I can highly recommend this one year course. One day per week, the students spend the day with a Magnum photographer, learning editing and story telling skills, and gaining an insight in how they operate at the highest level of the profession. More details of the Spéos Magnum Creative Documentary Program are here.
Agence France-Presse (AFP) photojournalism course
Agence France-Presse (AFP) and Spéos International Photography School have collaborated in developing a distinctive training initiative in photojournalism. This initiative merges Spéos’ hands-on teaching excellence with AFP’s specialized industry knowledge, enabling students to focus on news photojournalism.
AFP boasts a global presence with 450 photographers across every continent and offices in 151 countries. Generating over 3,000 photos daily, the agency supplies content to media worldwide, consistently earning recognition through prestigious international photography awards.
The training is five days a week, with four days conducted at Spéos and one day collaborating with the AFP teams. A mentor accompanies the students throughout the program. The one year course is organized as follows:
The course focuses on the intricacies of photojournalism and news within a press agency will be hosted at AFP.
Every week, AFP arranges discussions featuring prominent figures in the industry (editors, publishers, photographers, etc.), master classes conducted by renowned photographers within the AFP network, and themed workshops crafted to provide students with authentic professional exposure, culminating in an end-of-year project. Throughout the program, students are guided by a mentor.
Pierre-Yves Mahé, President of the Spéos Group, comments:
“We are very excited to announce the launch of this brand-new training course in partnership with AFP, a key player in the field of press and information. Designed to meet the needs of today’s media industry, this intensive course will provide participants with the opportunity to acquire cutting-edge practical and theoretical expertise.”
“Participants will have the opportunity to work with world-renowned photojournalists. This initiative demonstrates our desire to support the next generation of photojournalistic talent.”
Pierre-Yves Mahé, President of the Spéos Group
Registration and selection of candidates
Applications are open for the September 2024 academic year and the number of places is limited to 15. The selection process will be carried out jointly by Spéos and AFP. The year long intensive course, taught exclusively in English, is designed for students with at least 2 years of higher education. Find out more about the AFP Photojournalism course
Is Speos a good photography school?
Spéos International Photography School is an esteemed institution dedicated to providing comprehensive education and training in the field of photography. Spéos was founded in 1985 and is one of the most prestigious photography schools in the world.
With a commitment to excellence, Spéos offers programs that blend practical and theoretical aspects, preparing students for successful careers in various photography disciplines.
The school’s emphasis on hands-on experience, coupled with collaborations with industry experts and organizations, ensures a dynamic learning environment.
Whether focusing on photojournalism, fine art photography, or other specialisations, Spéos strives to nurture creative talent and technical proficiency among its students.
Related stories
Some of my assignments during the first semester of the 2021/2022 cohort of the Magnum Photos Documentary course:
Covid anti-vaccine pass sanitaire Paris protest
French wine lovers love Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival
Paris Flower Market, Marché aux Fleurs – Reine Elizabeth II
Parisian Street Art in Support of Ukraine
John Berger on August Sander, Henri Cartier-Bresson & Paul Strand
Gregory Halpern “somewhere between the documentary and fine art.”
