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A Writing for Publication Guide
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Recommended Cameras for the Freelance Journalist who may need to supply an occasional cameo or other high quality image (But only when the story, NOT the photography is the focus) This is the norm for most unsolicited articles: Samsung Maxima Zoom 105 Camera, $99.00 The author bought this Samsung model eight years ago for $125 and still uses it for photos published in many magazines.  It has all the bulleted features discussed to the right. Canon Power Shot A50 Powershot Digital Camera, $499.00 The author recommends this Canon for submitting photos to online magazines.  1,024 x 768 maximum resolution, zoom lens equivalent of 28 to 70mm, and lithium battery.  Linksys BEFSR11 1-Port Etherfast Cable/DSL

Cameras at left available now in association with Amazon.com.  Camera review at left not contained in book. EB WORKSHOP = Erik Bean speaking live at an Ann Arbor freelance workshop. EB NARRATING = Erik Bean narrating from inside the Freelance Workshop Website. EB NARRATING: One need not be a professional photographer to take practical or dynamic vivid pictures for publication.  Today, there are a wide-variety of inexpensive brand name 35mm automatic cameras from which to select.  Most of the popular brands offer reliable full-featured models starting just under $100.  It's important, however, to select a camera advertised as auto-focus rather than focus-free.  The auto-focus models send an infrared beam to the subject then back to the camera.  This allows for sharper pictures in most instances, particularly when shooting a cameo.  The focus-free models do not contain the infrared feature and usually lack the following additional recommended features:   Lithium Battery (Lasts hours    longer than standard cells.)  35 to 70mm Zoom Lens  Red Eye Reduction One Touch Macro   (For  close-up shots.)  Double Exposure Setting  Auto load/Auto rewind

Again, there are many cameras available that contain these features just under $100.  Each should provide years of trouble-free service and you will likely recoup the costs after the sale of your first article. 

Magazines usually prefer standard 35mm color or black and white prints. Some, however, require color slides dubbed transparencies, for higher resolution.  And online magazines may accept electronic photos taken with a more expensive digital camera or traditional prints scanned and converted to the popular JPEG format.  Always consult the guidelines for specific photographic requirements.  Occasionally, a magazine will furnish its own stock prints or rare photos from a private collection. 

In addition, if a particular magazine is laid out such that a whole page is a photographic image, you may want to consult or work with a professional photographer.  If this is the case, it is likely selling the article depends more on the quality of photographic images than the accompanying article. 

EB WORKSHOP: How do you work with somebody who draws a cartoon (or provides a photograph) that accompanies your story?  Basically, the way that I like to work it, is I like to have them work for me.  In other words, if I need somebody to draw a cartoon to accompany a story because they (publishers) require a cartoon (photograph) or an illustration, I'll simply go to a cartoonist (photographer) and say, this is what my story is about, here's the kind of illustration I need, and I'll give you a certain percentage out of the money that I make. 

If it's a $200 article, how about I give you $25 or $40 dollars for one cartoon or illustration, or two photographs.  Some people might be insulted, they might not think that is a great deal of money.  But you might want to explain to them that they are a very good photographer, and this is a good chance for them to get a byline, too!  Because photographers and illustrators get bylines in articles as well. 

EB NARRATING: The cutline is a description summarizing the major message contained in a photograph and must be supplied by the author.  Usually no more than a sentence or two, the end of the cutline should denote a byline of the individual who took the photograph.  Whether you are including one or many photos, each should be accompanied by a numbered cutline corresponding to the same number placed as text at the end of your article.  For example: 

Cutlines: 

1. Dr. Alfred B. Swanson, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, is the 
    founder of the International Trees Corps. Photo by Erik Bean. 

2. It will take hundreds of years before this clear-cut section of the rain- 
    forest is as heavily treed as it once was. Photo by Michael G. Knape. 

Using labels designed for a standard laser printer, authors should imprint the corresponding cutline number along with the copyright symbol, year the photo was taken, as well as the name and address of the photographer.  When submitting transparencies, you will not have room for an address, so a telephone number should be substituted.  For example: 
 

When a prospective editor sees a particular photograph, he or she will easily be able to refer to the cutline contained on the last page of your manuscript.  And since the editor has your address or telephone number he or she can contact you if there are any additional questions or in the event the material is misplaced and found several weeks or months later.  Stay tuned for a complete rundown on the manuscript submittal process when we complete this segment. 

EB WORKSHOP: Everyone in this room who wants to write an article and get it published will probably be submitting an article to a publication that is going to require a photograph or illustration. And you will be responsible to write the cutline. 

Actually, the photograph helps sell the article.  All this helps sell the package, it helps demonstrate you've done the critical thinking needed to make this piece effective. You're joining the article and the photographs together as one -- one statement you're trying to get across.  That's why you want to be able to submit the illustration or photograph.  That's why you want to be able to develop what the captions are, and you will be doing that. 

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