Photo EssayA Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Photo Essay Samples• The Station

▫http://www.flickr.com/photos/rudolfcrn/sets/72157630121788748/

▫Note the Narrative• Alzheimer’s

▫https://www.gaggle.net/gaggleVideoProxy.do?op=view&v=f808387882652f0cfee322b8f562c931

• Teens in America (Time Magazine)▫http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,

1698621_1509346,00.html

• Search Flickr for “the Photographic Essay”

What is a Photo Essay?• A collection of images

placed in a specific order▫ Tells progression of:

Emotions Events Concepts

• The photo essay uses the same techniques as a normal essay▫ Translated into visual

images

Photo Essay Tips• Find a topic you care about

▫First month of a newborn in your family▫The process of the school drama production▫Birthday party▫Make it something you’re interested in

• Find the “real” story▫Determine the angle you want to take▫ Is the newborn the firstborn of a family on whom

the family legacy will continue?▫Does the baby have a rare heart condition?▫ Is the drama production an effort to bring the

student body together?▫ Is the birthday party for someone turning 16? Or

someone’s last birthday?

Photo Essay Tips

•Use emotions▫Every dynamic story is built on core values and

emotions that touch the heart of its audience Anger Joy Fear Hurt Excitement Sadness

▫Utilize them in your shots, they’re great connecting points

The Shot ListTake 5 photos (or more if you need to tell your story) Include the

following shots:

1. Hook Shot

2. Establishing Shot

3. Detail Shot

4. Portrait Shot

5. Closure Shot

Watergate Photo Essay

Hook Shot• The lead shot• Photo that draws you in,

leaves you wanting more information

• Like the first few words of a novel

• Usually the most difficult photo to choose and should follow the theme of your essay

• Ultimately it should provoke the curiosity of the viewer

Scene Shot• Lays the visual context• Shows the setting or

environment where the story takes place, the character lives or works

• … like when an author paints a written description of where things are taking place… “it was a dark and stormy night…”

• An overarching photo taken with a wide angle lens is often effective.

Detail Shot• Detail photos focus in on

one element, ▫ a building▫ a face▫ a relevant object

• These photos are your best opportunity to capture specific objects

• The captions of these photos should be informative and educational.

Portrait Shot• Often a tight portrait or

head shot• Gives face to the

characters– even if your character is a horse… have a portrait of a horse

• These photos often evoke strong emotions and empathy in the viewer (whether it is a positive or a sympathetic and concerned emotion.)

Closure Shot• The parting shot• Draws things to an end,

the “ride off into the sunset” photo

• Gives resolution to the story

• Should evoke the emotion you want the viewer to walk away with

• Decide on this mood before you select this photo.

Common Photo Essay Approaches• Time

▫ Best used when there is an obvious path of time

▫ Hatching of an egg▫ Snowboarding down a trail

• Location▫ Helps you capture the “feel” of

a place▫ A coffee shop▫ The mall▫ People living in an apartment

building• Idea

▫ A variety of images that all share a common thread

▫ Love, guilt, sadness, joy• Event

▫ Covers specific happenings▫ A wedding, birthday, sport