On Assignment: Projects in Photojournalism

by Tony Spina

Tony Spina (1914-1995) was the chief photographer of the Detroit Free Press. During his 44 years at the paper, Spina received more than 450 state, national and international awards for his photography including a Pulitzer Prize. In On Assignment, Spina describes how an experienced news photographer thinks and works. He details the photojournalism process, discusses the photographic techniques a news photographer uses, explains the planning needed to successfully complete an assignment, and defines the difference between a "great" and an "acceptable" news photograph.

Hardcover in dust jacket. 192 pages; 200 b&w photos and 24 color pages; 8.5 x 11.5 inches. Index.

Genres: Photography

191 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Brian Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some books hold their own with age. Some even improve with time. This is not one of them. But that is not to say that this 1982 book, On Assignment: Projects in Photojournalism, by Tony Spina (1914 – 1995) is without value today. The book was intended to provide advice & guidance to budding photojournalists, and Spina, as Chief Photographer for the Detroit Free Press had the chops to do this. On Assignment is a retrospective of a long career. The book consists of various assignments and how Spina fulfilled them. The book is a great snapshot of photojournalism as it used to be. The advice may be dated but the insight is still fresh. For instance, in covering the 1980 Democratic National Convention in New York City, Spina had to shoot B&W and hand the film off to the Associated Press gang for processing & printing: “After notching my film for the shots I wanted printed, I gave the film to the printer, who printed 4 shots in a little less than 20 minutes. While waiting for my prints I typed out my captions and alerted the Free Press that within 15 minutes AP would start transmitting 4 pictures. It would take 7 minutes for each transmission.” (p. 111) His rolls of color would go via American Airlines. Yep, things have changed. Spina includes the text for each assignment, and some are humorous: “Photo story on natural childbirth. Make your own arrangements.” (p. 144) And, “Do feature series on preparation for Gold Cup races. Try for something different, not the usual coverage.” (p. 78) Some things never change. While this book is unlikely to be a life-changing event for anyone, it’s still worth a browse. Spina covered everything, a real work-a-day photojournalist, from popes & presidents, to the Beatles & baseball.