PHOTO JOURNALISM

 

Photo journalism uses the power of imagery to raise awareness and inspire action on environmental and climate issues. Discover the various ways you can captivate an audience and make an impact through the lens of your camera… or your phone!

Explore below how young reporters have brilliantly highlighted environmental challenges through their powerful photos!


want to test your photo skills? Join the Annual International Competition!

 

These are the three photo categories:

One Take Photo

The purpose of the One Take Photo is to tell a story through a photograph that truthfully and accurately captures the reality of a situation, event, or issue at one point in time. The photograph should be candid, i.e., not be posed or manipulated. An environmental lens or perspective is needed. 

**Note for National Operators: 1 entry allowed to be submitted for the International Competition, regardless of the age. 

 

Staged Campaign Photo

The purpose of Staged Campaign Photo is to raise awareness of an issue, promote certain values, and/or inspire positive action through a photograph. There must be a clear environmental campaign message and call to action included in the image. The photograph must be original however can be staged with the intention of sending a message to the viewers. The photo can be edited, include AI alterations and text. An environmental lens or perspective is needed. 

**Note for National Operators: 1 entry allowed to be submitted for the International Competition, regardless of the age.

 

Photo Story

The purpose of a Photo Story (3-5 Photographs) is to tell a story through a series of photographs to help the viewer better understand environmental issues, events, or phenomena. All photos must be original  aiming to tell a truthful and accurate story through a series of candid photographs i.e., not be posed or manipulated.

**Note for National Operators: 1 entry allowed to be submitted for the International Competition, regardless of the age.


Young Reporters’ Photo Examples


Assessment Criteria

  • [previously called Single Reportage Photo]

    Description: The purpose of the One Take Photois to tell a story through a photograph that truthfully and accurately captures the reality of a situation, event, or issue at one point in time. The photograph should be candid, i.e., not be posed or manipulated. An environmental lens or perspective is needed.

    Format & Structure

    • A single photograph must be submitted to the National Operator in .JPEG or .PNG format with a resolution of no less than 150-300 DPI. 

    • Must have a title of no more than 140 characters. 

    • Must have a description of no more than 100 words and a caption of no more than 20 words OR only a description of maximum 120 words in total. 

    • The description and caption should explain the environmental link and/or solutions to the issue presented in the photograph. 

    • Must be technically and artistically of good quality. This includes composition, lighting, color, sharpness, and subject. 

    Honest & Unbiased Reporting

    • The photograph is a fair and truthful representation of reality, and the subject and/or scene has not been significantly manipulated or altered. Editorial alterations to photos (e.g.  colour, contrast, definition, shadows, highlights, cropping, levelling, etc.) are permissible, if these alternations do NOT alter the reality of the subject or object of the photo. 

    • Any quotes used must be from real and credible sources. 

    • Facts, statistics, and scientific information must be supported by credible sources. 

    • Sources used in the description and/or caption must be cited using footnotes and a ‘References’ list. 

      Remember: Even when citing sources, remember that this is not an academic essay, but a newspaper article. One of its characteristic features is the statements of competent persons, and therefore we recommend that you go to the persons in person or contact them by e-mail or telephone and get information directly from them. It will increase not only the dynamics of the article, but also its credibility.

    Constructive & Well-Rounded Perspective

    • Photograph should address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of the chosen topic through an environmental lens. 

    • The photograph and/or description/caption should show the link between local and global events, issues and/or phenomena. 

    • The description and/or caption should include relevant and feasible solutions to environmental issues presented in the photo. 

    Originality & Independence

    • The photograph is original in subject and/or scope. The photographer has picked a challenging and/or creative topic or has depicted a topic in a different and/or creative way. 

    • The participant has engaged in fieldwork and conducted research for the photograph outside of their school grounds. 

    Dissemination

    A total of 5 points may be awarded for dissemination through the following channels: 

    • Personal Sphere = 1 Point 

    • School Community = 1 Point 

    • National Operator Organization = 1 Point 

    • National Media (Newspaper, TV, radio) = 2 Points 

    Evidence of dissemination must be submitted with the article and published on Exposure below the article.  

    NOTES

    Use of any form of AI, photo editing (filters etc) will not be accepted in this category. Points should be deducted should the use of AI be detected.

    Original One Take Photo entries could in addition be considered by the International Jury for the 'Photo of the Year' Award

  • [previously called Single Environmental Campaign Photo]

    Description: The purpose of Staged Campaign Photo is to raise awareness of an issue, promote certain values, and/or inspire positive action through a photograph. There must be a clear environmental campaign message and call to action included in the image. The photograph must be original however can be staged with the intention of sending a message to the viewers. The photo can be edited, include AI alterations and text. An environmental lens or perspective is needed.

    Format & Structure 

    • A single photograph must be submitted to the National Operator in .JPEG or .PNG format with a resolution of no less than 150-300 DPI.  

    • Must have a title of no more than 140 characters. 

    • Description (only optional) of no more than 100 words. 

    • The description should explain the environmental link and/or solutions to issue presented in the photograph.  

    • Must be technically and artistically of good quality. This includes composition, lighting, color, sharpness, and subject. 

    Honest & Unbiased Reporting 

    • Editorial alterations to the photo (e.g.  AI manipulation, colour, contrast, definition, shadows, highlights, cropping, text, etc.) are permissible if they are relevant to the environmental campaign message that is being portrayed.  

    • The original photo should be the original work of the student and cannot change the reality of the object. 

    • Any quotes used must be from real and credible sources.  

    • Facts, statistics, and scientific information must be supported by credible sources. 

    • Sources used in the description and/or caption must be cited using footnotes and a ‘References’ list. 

      Remember: Even when citing sources, remember that this is not an academic essay, but a newspaper article. One of its characteristic features is the statements of competent persons, and therefore we recommend that you go to the persons in person or contact them by e-mail or telephone and get information directly from them. It will increase not only the dynamics of the article, but also its credibility. 

    Constructive & Well-Rounded Perspective 

    • Photograph should address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of the chosen topic through an environmental lens.  

    • The photograph and/or description should show the link between local and global events, issues and/or phenomena.

    • The description should include relevant and feasible solutions to environmental issues identified in photo.

    Originality & Independence 

    • The photograph is original in subject and/or scope. The photographer has picked a challenging and/or creative topic or has depicted a topic in a different and/or creative way.  

    • The participant has engaged in fieldwork and conducted research for the photograph outside of their school grounds. 

    Dissemination 

    A total of 5 points may be awarded for dissemination through the following channels: 

    • Personal Sphere = 1 Point 

    • School Community = 1 Point 

    • National Operator Organization = 1 Point 

    • National Media (Newspaper, TV, radio) = 2 Points 

    NOTES

    Use of AI and other editing applications is welcomed and encouraged.  

    Staged Campaign Photo entries could in addition be considered by the International Jury for the 'Photo of the Year' Award.

  • Description: The purpose of a Photo Story (3-5 Photographs) is to tell a story through a series of photographs to help the viewer better understand environmental issues, events, or phenomena. All photos must be original  aiming to tell a truthful and accurate story through a series of candid photographs i.e., not be posed or manipulated.

    Format & Structure 

    • A maximum of 3 to 5 photographs must be submitted to the National Operator in .JPEG or .PNG format with a resolution of no less than 150-300 DPI.  

    • Must have a title of no more than 140 characters. 

    • Must have a description of no more than 100 words. Each photograph must have a caption of no more than 20 words.  

    • The description and captions should explain the environmental link and/or solutions to issue shown in the photos 

    • Must be technically and artistically of good quality. This includes composition, lighting, color, sharpness, and subject. 

    Honest & Unbiased Reporting 

    • The photograph is a fair and truthful representation of reality, and the subject and/or scene has not been manipulated, altered or include AI. Basic editorial alterations to photos (e.g.  colour, contrast, definition, shadows, highlights, cropping, levelling, etc.) are permissible, if these alternations do NOT alter the reality of the subject or object of the photo. 

    • Any quotes used must be from real and credible sources.  

    • Facts, statistics, and scientific information must be supported by credible sources. 

    • Sources used in the description and/or caption must be cited using footnotes and a ‘References’ list.  

      Remember: Even when citing sources, remember that this is not an academic essay, but a newspaper article. One of its characteristic features is the statements of competent persons, and therefore we recommend that you go to the persons in person or contact them by e-mail or telephone and get information directly from them. It will increase not only the dynamics of the article, but also its credibility. 

    Constructive & Well-Rounded Perspective 

    • Photographs should address the historical, economic, social, and/or political implications of the chosen topic through an environmental lens.  

    • The photographs and/or description/captions should show the link between local and global events, issues and/or phenomena.  

    • The description and/or captions should include relevant and feasible solutions to environmental issues presented in the photos. 

    Originality & Independence 

    • The photograph is original in subject and/or scope. The photographer has picked a challenging and/or creative topic or has depicted a topic in a different and/or creative way.  

    • The participant has engaged in fieldwork and conducted research for the photo story outside of their school grounds. 

    Dissemination 

    A total of 5 points may be awarded for dissemination through the following channels: 

    • Personal Sphere = 1 Point 

    • School Community = 1 Point 

    • National Operator Organization = 1 Point 

    • National Media (Newspaper, TV, radio) = 2 Points 

    Evidence of dissemination must be submitted with the photographs and published on Exposure below the Photo Story.

    NOTES

    Use of any form of AI, excessive photo editing will not be accepted in this category. Points should be deducted should the use of AI be detected. 

    An individual photo included in a Photo Story entry could addition be considered by the International Jury for the ‘Photo of the Year’ Award.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Need tips on how to take a good photo? Check out this guide below!