Apparently one the most difficult aspects of photojournalism is the invisibility photographers have to maintain out in the field.

” A photojournalist must evaporate from the scene as much as possible…keep their ego out and let the story come to them.”

In a Lecture held in the Cerritos College Art Gallery on Wednesday evening Craig Lockwood, a photojournalist who just return from war-torned Afghanistan explained what it takes to be a good photojournalist.

Lockwood described a difficult situation where he photographed a mother with her dead child. He explained how difficult it could be at times to take a picture and not form an emotional bond with the subject.

“It is an extraordinary and terrible profession.” Lockwood explained, “We don’t abuse the past and are careful about putting ideology into the story. The best writing is when the writer is invisible.”

Throughout his lecture Lockwood provided the audience with several tips on becoming photojournalists.

“Everyone develops their own techniques. That’s the genius of being creative people.”

He advised moving steadily and with perspective, taking pictures of people with out their permission, sticking with the same film and of course “being able to fade in and fade out” of the scene.

As a photojournalist Lockwood has experienced many close calls.

He has been held at gunpoint by revolutionaries, caught in between a cockfight in Mexico, and most recently nearly shot by a young boy in Afghanistan. Lockwood explains that in order to be a good photojournalist the person has to be an “adventure junkie.”

Danger and illness are nearly unavoidable in hostile situations. He has suffered from such diseases as malaria, and hepatitis on his exploits to places like South America, Russia, and India. Lockwood feels comfortable traveling armed and wit ha first aid kit in case of emergencies. Both have proven to be beneficial to him. On his last trip to Afghanistan he photographed a young child who was ill. The young boy was starving and had just eaten a leaf that made him sick. After taking the picture, Lockwood assisted him with his first aid kit. “It’s really sad to see little kids feeding off leaves over there, when they’re feeding off Doritos over here,” said Angela Ayala, business major.

Many students were impressed with Lockwood’s lecture. “I didn’t think photojournalism was this exciting,” said Sandra Hunt, undeclared.

Others in the audience now feel they will pursue this as a profession. “I was always interested in photography, but now that I know what it’s all about, I’m considering this as a career,” said Gilbert Partida, communications major.

Lockwood expects the best from up and coming photojournalists. He hopes they will stay away from the example of today’s media. “Today’s media, instead of being witness to history, appear like used car dealers of information.” With increasing technology he insists he will “practice until he drops dead. There’s so much to learn.”