Organized by the Department of New Media and Communication at Arkın University of Creative Arts and Design (ARUCAD), the seminar welcomed journalist and visual communication specialist Uğur Kaptanoğlu as guest speaker. Held as part of the Innovative Practices course and moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Huri Yontucu, the event gave students the opportunity to hear from Kaptanoğlu, who shared insights drawn from nearly 30 years of professional experience. Emphasizing that news photography is not merely about visual documentation but also a powerful form of storytelling, he underlined the importance of being constantly prepared, well-equipped, and ethically conscious. He also discussed the value of working in coordination with reporters in the field, understanding the context of a story in advance, and composing images that add narrative depth to news coverage.
A key focus of the seminar was the topic of ethical responsibility in media. Kaptanoğlu pointed out that the rapid spread of content in the digital age has placed additional ethical burdens on journalists. He stressed that images must not expose personal information, faces, or sensitive events without consent, and spoke about the psychological impact of a deceased individual’s image or name reaching family members through social media. He also emphasized the importance of respecting copyright and labor, stating that the unauthorized use of news photographs by other media outlets—without permission or regard for timing—is unethical.
Kaptanoğlu concluded by stating that photojournalism should not only inform but also provoke emotional and intellectual reflection in the viewer. He shared the fundamental principles of authentic and responsible journalism with the students, making the seminar a highly engaging and experience-based learning opportunity that enhanced their professional awareness.