Learn how to use photogrammetry in journalism with new self-directed course

Nearly 1,000 journalists took our course with instructor Ben Kreimer to learn how photogrammetry improves reporting by immersing readers and viewers in the story.

Well, this Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), “Introduction to Photogrammetry in Journalism: Capture Your World in 3D”, is available as a self-paced course and can be taken at any time and from anywhere in the world for free.

During the course, which ran from June 27 to July 24, 2022, students learned how media outlets such as TIME, PBS and The New York Times use photogrammetry. The technology creates three-dimensional replicas of photographs.

“I was amazed at how the course effortlessly brought together people from all over the world with equally diverse journalistic interests, technical skills and skill levels,” said Kreimer, a creative technologist and photogrammetry expert. “These different forms of diversity were most evident in the [discussion] Forums where people shared their ideas and observations and connections to their work and beyond. When the course started, I became a participant myself. Every time I went to the forums, I learned from everyone and got new ideas along with everyone.”

The course, sponsored by the Knight Foundation, is divided into four modules that introduce the science and technology of photogrammetry and its use in journalism and storytelling. The modules also cover the practical do’s and don’ts of photogrammetric capture and explain how to share your photogrammetric material with the public.

Each module includes video courses, lectures, exercises, quizzes and discussion forums.

Kreimer said the forums had become a place for students to exchange story ideas, “but the most memorable posts on the student forum centered on the realization of learning a new superpower of three-dimensional documentation.”

“Students shared how learning photogrammetry and successfully using the process in Module 3 was ’empowering’ and ‘aha!’ were. moments,” he continued. “One student shared that by learning the photogrammetric process, she was able to see objects and the world around her from a different perspective as she imagines capturing what she sees photogrammetrically.”

With the self-paced version of the course, participants have ongoing access to video courses, lectures, and optional resources. So take this opportunity to expand your journalism toolkit and start learning at JournalismCourses.org.