*Post first published February 2017.
NEW TODAY:
Day in the life of a fashion model. CLICK HERE.
Portraits of Tokyo’s Rockabilly Subculture Roller-Zoku Gangs. CLICK HERE
SEEN:
Greek neighborhood. CLICK HERE.
Ruth Prieto. Safe Haven. CLICK HERE.
Reindeer Races Above the Arctic Circle. CLICK HERE.
Weeknight dinner. CLICK HERE.
Timbers Army. CLICK HERE.
Yes! Magazine. CLICK HERE.
RESOURCES:
Photo Essays with a PURPOSE. CLICK HERE.
Asking questions of your subject. CLICK HERE.
Types of Photos You Must Make.
(Do a variety of each. We will edit to a final group that includes a couple of each of the following types.)
By including a
variety of types of photos in your essay, you will ensure that it is both
interesting and informative. The following types of photos, presented together,
can create a successful photo essay. Not only is it important to choose
powerful photos, but also to present them in an effective order. While the
order of some photos (e.g. the lead photo, and the clincher) is set, the order
of most types of photos in your essay is your preference.
The Lead Photo: Similar to the first two sentences of a
newspaper article, your lead photo should effectively draw in your audience.
This is usually the most difficult photo to choose and should follow the theme
of your essay. It could be an emotional portrait or an action shot, but
ultimately it should provoke the curiosity of the viewer.
The Scene: Your second photo should set the stage
and describe the scene of your story. An overarching photo taken with a wide
angle lens is often effective.
The Portraits: Your photo essay should include at least
one portrait. Capturing an emotional expression or telling action shot can
effectively humanize your story. These photos often evoke strong emotions and
empathy in the viewer (whether it is a positive and enthusiastic emotion, or a
sympathetic and concerned emotion.)
The Detail Photos: Detail photos focus in on one element, be
it a building, a face, or a relevant object. These photos are your best
opportunity to capture specific objects. The captions of these photos should be
informative and educational.
The Close-up Photos: Similarly, close-up photos provide an
opportunity to focus in on specific objects. These photos are tightly cropped,
simple shots that present a specific element of your story. Again, this is an
excellent opportunity to present information in the caption.
The Signature Photo: The signature photo summarizes the
situation and captures the key elements of your story in a telling moment.
The Clincher Photo: The final photo, the clincher, should
evoke the emotion you want the viewer to walk away with, be it a feeling of
hope, inspiration, or sadness. Decide on this mood before you select this
photo.
Remember, these
suggestions are only guidelines. Photo essays are a form of art, and like any
artistic creation, breaking the rules can sometimes create the most powerful
result. Don't be afraid to try something different.
Following are ten photo essays ideas to consider…
Photo Essay #1: Document a Local Event. The town I live in has an annual bicycle classic. To turn this into a photo essay, one could arrive early to catch the cyclists and sponsors as they are preparing, then photograph the cyclists riding throughout the day, and finish with some shots of tents coming down and everyone heading home.
Photo Essay #2: Exhibition. Find an exhibition going on at a nearby gallery or museum. Not only photograph the pieces themselves but also those in attendance—how they are interacting with the pieces and among themselves. If you can, attend the reception so you can also capture the artist or artists whose work is on display or the curators of the exhibit.
Photo Essay #3: Transformation (Short-term). For this photo essay, find a subject that is undergoing a short-term transformation. This could include a group of men growing mustaches to celebrate Movember or a stray dog brought in to a shelter that is groomed and adopted. This sort of essay should take no longer than a month or so to tell its story.
Photo Essay #4: Transformation (Long-term). Think pregnancy, from the baby bump through to birth and maybe even the first birthday, or following a returning soldier and their transformation back to civilian life. This project should last months and could be worked around other projects being completed at the same time.
Photo Essay #5: A Day in the Life. For this essay, find someone such as a doctor, lawyer, firefighter, or police officer willing to let you follow him or her for a day, both behind the scenes and during their job. If there are times when photos cannot be taken, then you can use the text option for a photo essay and supplement your photos with some captions or short written passages.
Photo Essay #6: Raise Awareness. Find a local charity and document their daily operations, their personnel, and who or what they are helping. Give a visual sense of what they are trying to accomplish and why it is important.
Photo Essay #7: Turn a Day Out into Reportage. Find a location one would normally go to for a day out but treat this day out more as reportage—photograph behind the scenes shots, interview workers and customers. Locations could include amusement parks, nature preserves, or movie theaters.
Photo Essay #8: Give Meaning to Street Photography. Hit the streets and document the faces of you see. Obviously, be respectful, but perhaps engage in conversations. Try to go deeper than the surface and look for what passersby tend to ignore.
Photo Essay #9: Neighbors. Find a neighborhood and, after photographing the homes, ask to photograph those inside the homes. You could photograph them inside their homes or just in their doorways, depending upon what you want the focus to be on—the interiors or the individuals within those interiors.
Photo Essay #10: Education. Find a school and photograph its students, teachers, and classrooms. Show the students studying and playing and the teachers teaching and on break. Photograph the computer labs and technology if it is a more affluent school or focus on what the teachers make do with if it is a less affluent school. For a longer essay, you could compare and contrast a rural school to a city school.
