Reportage illustration is the act of presenting and capturing events and news and is a type of visual journalism. There are different types of reportage journalism which is used in different circumstances such as courtrooms, social events, news, conflicts, and wars. This type of reportage is helpful especially in circumstances which photographers and others aren’t able to document. Courtroom reportage photographers are not permitted under section 41 of Criminal Justice Act 1925, so they use illustrations to capture the environment and people. However, reportage illustrators have to sketch after from memory. A lot of it is based on factual information around them to tell a factual based narrative to represent to their given audience. It gained its popularity in the 1960’s and 70’s in the New Journalism movement. There are also three different types of reportage within illustration which includes literary, narrative, and immersive journalism. Most focus on reporting the events and atmosphere regarding to what they are capturing so it has a sense of truth to it. The main goal is to give information and accurately present it, it also has a focus on political and social issues which is why it is different to reporting, as it is trying to bring a story to life by using sensory details and not reporting it in an objective way.

A prime example of this is Veronica Lowler who has been around to different countries and locations to capture scenes. Lowler’s also has captured big worldwide events such as the 9/11 attacks and other social issues such as refuge rescues and recovery teams. Works like this gives you a glimmer into the reality of what is happening and what it could be like through what is drawn and what media and style is used to capture the moment.