Photo Essay A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Photo Essay Samples The Station / / Note the Narrative Alzheimers w&v=f f0cfee322b8f562c931https:// w&v=f f0cfee322b8f562c931 Teens in America (Time Magazine) _ ,00.htmlhttp:// 8621_ ,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 youre 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 someones 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, theyre great connecting points

The Shot List Take 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