Here are some frequently asked questions about submitting content for the Pulitzer Center website.
Please check this before you contact us with your question. If your question isn't answered here, don't hesitate to get in touch! The best person to contact about this system is Jackie Calderon at [email protected].
Can you give me an example of what pages for different types of content look like? Any general guidelines on content?
Do all content types really require some introductory text? Even slideshows, radio pieces, and videos?
What are some tips for taking better photos?
What video format do you prefer?
What is a "Meet the Journalist" video?
Can you give me an example of what pages for different types of content look like? Any general guidelines on content?
ALL pieces of content must be accompanied by a horizontal image that your have rights to use. Otherwise, we cannot publish on our website!
Article
Photo Essay or Slideshow
Video
Radio
Meet the Journalist
Do all content types really require some introductory text? Even slideshows, radio pieces, and videos?
Yes. A text document with introductory text must accompany anything submitted. Be sure to submit both teaser text, which will accompany the thumbnail, and a paragraph of text to accompany the video/audio/etc. in the body of the post.
What are some tips for taking better photos?
Please watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dT-25-8aXM
1. Do NOT shoot photos holding your phone vertical. Hold your phone horizontal.
2. Capture a variety of shots. Try to include landscapes of the locations and scene setters, portraits, details, action pictures of people doing things and sequential images of action. This will improve the overall look and flow of the story.
3. Avoid cluttered or distracting backgrounds in your photos. Examine the background beyond your subject for things like telephone poles, branches or wires that appear to be poking out of your subject's head. Our brain likes to complete shapes, so try to find a clean background behind a subject, even if it is just clean around that person's head. By moving yourself, or shooting from below or above, you usually can clean up a background.
4. Try not to use the flash on smartphones and consumer-grade cameras. This will help you avoid washed-out looking photos, or the dreaded "red eye."
5. Be aware of the edges of your frame. Scan the edges of your image and make sure you haven't awkwardly cropped your subject. Try to avoid cutting off a person's feet, or the top of their head, unless it is obviously intentional.
6. Don't always shoot from the same height and angle. We often shoot from our chest because it feels natural. But try shooting from a low angle or from above to add visual variety. At times, it is also good to shoot on the same level as your subject. For example, when shooting kids, drop down to their eye-level or their height with your camera.
7. Look for images that show depth and layers. It is nice when things are happening on multiple planes.
8. Don't be afraid to get close to your subjects.
9. Look for shadows, and reflections. Also consider symmetry when composing your photos. Look for variety, including both symmetrical and asymmetrical images.
What video format do you prefer?
Please submit videos in full HD resolution (1920x1080p), ideally as a .mp4 file.
What is a "Meet the Journalist" video?
This is a chance for you to briefly talk about why you chose the story, how you are reporting it and any challenges or surprises you have had in the process. Ideally, this is done from the field and provides a sense of who you are in the context of the larger story. We use these videos in our education work, screening them for students and teachers to give a sense of the work journalists do. Be brief: the ideal video is around two minutes!
You can structure this video in response to the following questions:
1) What are you reporting on?
2) Why did you choose this topic?
3) What did you find?
4) What (if anything) surprised you?
5) What (if any) challenges did you face?
6) What do you hope your audience takes away from this reporting?
You can create this video with any video equipment you have on hand, from a professional video camera/microphone, to your phone or computer webcam. Tell the story of your reporting process, keeping in mind that your audience could include middle- and high-school students. If you can, illustrate your Meet the Journalist video with photos or video clips from the field! If you're not familiar with editing videos, and would prefer to send in your recorded video and photos/video clips from the field for Pulitzer Center staff to edit, contact Claire Seaton at [email protected].
If available, we would prefer video from a dedicated video camera and microphone over a phone or webcam, but use the tools you have available. Speak to the camera in a quiet room, and be mindful of air conditioners, outside traffic, and other background noise that can interfere with your interview. You can enlist someone to hold the recording device for you, or it can be handheld. It should ALWAYS be held horizontal. Do not submit a vertical selfie-style video.
Submitting your videos to the Pulitzer Center Website:
Step 1: Go to http://pulitzercenter.org. At the bottom right, click "log in." Use the username and password that was emailed to you prior to going into the field.
Step 2: At the top right, click "My account."
Step 3: Next, at the lower left of this landing page, click "submit content." This will call up a page for you to create a post with your content on the Pulitzer Center Website.
Step 4: Fill out this page.
First, click whether or not this content has already been published.
Second, create a content title, for example, 'Congo's Children.'
Next, upload a Word document that has an introduction to your project. This text will accompany the video on the website in the actual post. This should be around one paragraph long.
Next, fill in the space for External URL to include a hyperlink of this material if it has been published somewhere else. If it has not been published elsewhere, leave this blank.
In the box below Teaser, you will write a brief statement that is one or two lines long, up to 200 characters, about what this video is about. This teaser will show up with your post on the homepage but the text included in your Word Document will actually appear on the post with the video.
Under media categories, select Video.
Every post must have a horizontal image attached to it. Click Choose File and upload an image to accompany your video.
If you need to submit revised videos, do not create a new post. Go to pulitzercenter.org/dropbox to re-submit the new video file. Then send us an email so we will be on the lookout for your new video.