Creating a Photo Essay
Creating a photo essay is a combination of art and journalism. As with a written essay, the elements of a photo essay should
be structured in a way that easily conveys a story to the viewer. Each individual photo contributes to the overall story,
theme, and emotions of the essay.
The photos you choose must not only be compositionally and artistically strong, but also informative and educational. Finding
photos that have both qualities can be very challenging, but the result can be very powerful.
A thematic photo essay tells a story while focusing on a central theme (e.g. bullying, spring fever, etc.) and presents photos
relevant to that theme.
Regardless of the theme of your photo essay, the following elements should be considered during its creation:
1.
The story: Your essay should be able to stand alone, without a written article, and make logical sense to the viewer.
2.
A range of photos: A variety of photos (wide angle, detailed, portraits etc.) should be included. See the types of
photos section discussed below.
3.
The order of the photos: It is important that the order of your photos effectively tell a story, in an interesting and
logical sequence.
4.
Information and emotion: Your photos should include both informational and emotional photos. Those essays that
effectively evoke emotion while providing information tend to convey their messages the best.
5.
Captions: In a photo essay, captions are your best opportunity to describe what is happening in words and ensure
that the viewer understands. Also include the type of photo at the end of your photo caption.
Types of Photos
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.
1.
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.
2.
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.
3.
The Portraits: Your photo essay should include at least one portrait. Capturing an emotional expression or an
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.)
4.
The Detail Photos: Detail photos focus in on one element, be it a doorway of a building, a flower bud, or a relevant
part of an object. These photos are your best opportunity to focus in on specific objects.
5.
The Close-up Photos: Like a detail photo, close-up photos provide an opportunity to focus in – but with the closeup, your focus is a person (or part of a person). These photos are tightly cropped, simple shots that present a
specific element of your story (usually emotion).
6.
The Signature Photo: The signature photo summarizes the situation and captures the key elements of your story
in a telling moment.
7.
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 etc. Decide on this mood before you select this photo.
Choosing a Photo Essay Topic
A photo essay can be a powerful tool for educating and engaging the public. While one photo can draw in interest, multiple
photos can tell a vivid and in-depth story. A photo essay allows you to present a more complex issue that would otherwise be
impossible to portray in a single photo.
However, determining what story to tell can be a challenge. If you find yourself at a loss for ideas, or are overwhelmed by
possibilities, take a moment to outline your thoughts. Brainstorm ideas and consider the resources that are available to you.
1.
Initially ask yourself what issues you find important. Brainstorm a list of things – big and small – that matter to you.
2.
Be especially mindful to consider ideas that are relevant to students (few or many) at Kenwood.
3.
When choosing a topic, determine how broad or narrow you'd like your focus to be. While a broad subject matter might
provide you with more options to photograph, a narrow focus can often tell a more powerful story.
4.
Once you've selected a topic, remain flexible and allow the subjects to inspire you. This flexibility will allow for the most
powerful photos.
5.
Remember, this is a journalistic assignment – you are telling an existing, factual story. You are not posing people or
staging scenes, you are documenting people and scenes as they are happening without your influence.
Possible Themes to Consider:
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25.
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31.
32.
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34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Cliques and other peer groups
Sports and athletes, Health/Fitness
Insight into a specific class (drama, speech, art, A.C., P.E.)
Insight into a specific club (drama, GSA, Culinary, etc.)
Fashion (unusual, male, female, etc.)
Lunchroom (behind the scenes, food, lunch ladies, lunch table culture, etc.)
Nature/Springtime (in and around the school)
Art (in and around the school, by students)
Special Needs students
Music
Drama (acting, writing, etc.) at Kenwood
Environment issues (trash, recycling, etc.)
Apathy (student lack of interest in school)
Senioritis
Student success
Bullying
Tattoo art
Natural Hair
Colorism
Racism
Adult Influence (teachers, administrators, security, etc.)
Teen eating habits (snacking in between classes, what are kids eating)
LGBT life/equality
Alternative culture (kids who don’t “fit in” with everyone else and like it)
Teen’s technology obsession (phones, social media, etc.)
Black culture
Shoe culture
Happiness
Stress
Sadness
Envy
Love
Family (Twins, Family, Sisters, Brothers)
Students at leisure
School landscapes (the building, the hallways, with students, without students, etc.)
School safety
Freedom violations
School spirit
Teen activism
Black lives matter
List Other Ideas:
Photo Essay Project Requirements
Your photo essay project is a process. It requires thoughtful preparation, execution, presentation and reflection. Each part of
the process is equally important and will add up to a significant grade.
The Steps
Pre-Planning
Photographs
Written Essay
Website
Presentation
Reflection
Due Date:
Monday, May 4
Tuesday, May 19
Tuesday, May 19
Friday, May 22
Tuesday, May 26
Tuesday, May 26
Points:
25 points
100 points
25 points
25 points
15 points
25 points
215 points total
Pre-Planning Questioins – 25 points
This one-page write-up should provide the following:
1. A detailed summary of the topic you’ve chosen and why you chose it.
2. An explanation of how you plan to execute (shoot the photos for) the essay.
3. Details about what locations you are going to shoot, what people, objects, etc.
You will have some opportunities to shoot during class, but you will need to shoot outside of class primarily. If you
plan on shooting a specific class, person or area of the school, you must be sure to get any needed permission (from
teachers, security, etc.) before you shoot.
4. Who will you get in touch with for special permission?
Photographs and captions – 100 points
You will have about a week to shoot your photos. As you start to shoot for your essay, do not edit yourself, take lots of
photos. You may end up with over 100 photographs to choose from and this is great.
1. You are required to upload a minimum of 25 photos to your desktop. Make a folder within your folder titled “Bulk
Photos”.
2. From these 25, you will choose 10 for your final essay. Make a folder within your folder titled “Final Photos”.
3. You must have a minimum of 1 of each of the 7 types of photographs (and will have 3 duplicates – not lead or
clincher).
4. The photos will be judged on composition, if they fit into the type you assign to it and how they contribute to the
story of your essay.
5. You can shoot in black and white or color. You may use different lenses available on different apps as long as they
do not distort or change the reality of any of your photographs. You may not edit anything in Photoshop or other
programs that changes any reality of the photo.
6. Each photograph should have a photo credit and be captioned. Each caption should describe what is happening in
the photo in words and ensure that the viewer understands. Also, include the type of photo at the end of your photo
caption.
Your Story in Words – 25 points
After you’ve completed shooting and have chosen your final 10 photos, you must write a one-page essay that tells the story
behind the photos.
Upload to Website – 25 points (YOU MUST SEE ME TO COMPLETE THIS PART)
Once you have finished shooting and have narrowed down your photos to the 10 you will use for the essay, you will be
required to upload the essay to our Wordpress site. You must see me when you are ready for the upload. DO NOT DO THIS
WITHOUT SEEING ME FIRST
1. Login to Wordpress.com – Email address: KAHSjournalism1415@gmail.com Password: kenwoodnews
2. A post will be set up in your name. You will add your photos, captions and essay to your post only.
Presentation – 15 points
You will be required to present your photo essay to the class and tell your photo story. You will have a short Question and
answer session following your presentation. This presentation should not exceed 5 minutes.
Reflection – 25 points
This one-page written reflection will be turned in the day of your presentation. It should answer the following questions:
1. What did you learn about your subject?
2. What did you learn about photojournalism in general?
3. What was easy and difficult about your project?
4. What would you do differently if you did it again?
Project Tips Sheet
General tips:
 Remember to always have your phone charged.

Carry your charger with you or bring an extra battery in case of emergency.

Bring whatever cord you need to get your photos from your phone onto your
computer.

Try to email photos to yourself so that you can download them onto your
computer with cords.

Upload photos as soon as you have them – then delete them from your phone to
save space.

The more the merrier! You cannot have too many photos to start with.

Stay ethical – no posing or staging photos.
There are many great resources online. Here are some helpful links:
Tips on taking great photos:
http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/12/10-rules-of-photo-composition-and-why-they-work/
http://petapixel.com/2014/01/24/40-tips-take-better-photos/
How to take good photos using your phone:
http://www.popphoto.com/gallery/10-tips-making-your-smartphone-photos-look-they-came-real-camera
http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/ways-improve-smartphone-photography/
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/camera-phone-photos/
http://iphonephotographyschool.com/category/tutorials/
http://iphonephotographyschool.com/quick-tips/