Offer a photo essay of your place of business as a training tool. Use a photo essay about your business as a sales or social tool by publishing it on your website or social media page. Create a how to photo essay to help others learn about your hobby, so they can take it up as well. [4] X Research source
Thematic subjects are big ideas including things like local gun laws, at-risk youth, or welcoming home soldiers. Narrative essays can include a day in the life, how to tutorials, or progression series that show changes over time such as tracking a building project. If you have been given a commission or specific publication to work with, you may need to choose a topic that will fit a thematic or narrative approach as outlined by the publication. Make sure you are aware of any publication guidelines in advance.
Consider how difficult it will be to get permission to photograph your subjects. If you already have relationships established, it will be easier. If not, allow for extra time to get permission and/or waivers. Schools, daycares, and other places with kids typically have more regulations on who can be photographed and for what purposes. You’ll usually need to get parental approval, in addition to permission from those in charge. [7] X Research source
Consider doing interviews with people involved prior to the shoot. Ask things like, “What’s the most interesting thing you do during this event?” or “How long have you been involved with this organization?” These interviews are also a great opportunity to ask for permission and get waivers. If you’re going to visit a job site, charitable event, or other large group activity, ask the person or persons in charge to explain what you’re doing to everyone before you arrive. [8] X Research source
Many new photographers stay away from high ISO shots because they allow more light through producing a “busy” image. However, these images are often easier to edit later as there’s more information to work with. [11] X Research source If it’s very bright in your location or you’ve set up artificial lighting, a low ISO is likely adequate, For darker areas, you’ll likely need to use a higher ISO. Most cameras have a base ISO of about 200. ISO increases by doubling, so the next ISO would be 400, then 800, etc. This essentially doubles the lens sensitivity, allowing more light through and capturing the image more quickly. [12] X Expert Source Heather GallagherProfessional Photojournalist & Photographer Expert Interview. 8 April 2020. If you need one second to capture an image with a base ISO of 100, you’ll need one eighth of a second to capture with an ISO of 800. [13] X Research source
Even snapping candid shots, which you may need to capture quickly, take a few moments to think about how objects are placed to make the most impact. Always think about how the main subject’s surroundings play into the overall image, and try to create different levels and points of interest. You can change composition as part of the editing process in some cases, so if you can’t line up the shot just right, don’t let it deter you from capturing the image you want. [14] X Research source
If you’re doing a day in the life photo essay about a frustrated person working in an office, an image of that person struggling to open the front door against the wind might be an apt focus shot. If your essay is about the process of building a home, your focus image may be something like a contractor and architect looking at blue prints with the framed up home in the background. If your essay is about a family reunion, the focus image may be a funny shot of the whole family making faces, pretending to be fighting, or a serious photo of the family posed together. Capture whatever seems natural for the family. [18] X Research source
Regardless of essay type, you’ll need a focus image to grab attention. Use an overall shot to give context to your essay. Where is it, when is it happening, who’s involved, what’s going on, and why should someone be interested? The five “W’s” of journalism are a great way to determine what your overall shot should capture. Find your final image. This should be something provocative that asks your viewer to think about the topic. Between the focus and overall shot and ending image, include a series of images that move the viewer from the lead-in shots to its result. Use images that build in intensity or draw the viewers further into the essay. link title
If the images aren’t telling the story, ask your friends to look at your other photos and ask, “I wanted this image to make this point. You got a different idea. Would any of these images make this point to you more clearly?” If the others like the images you’ve chosen, you may still want to ask them to look at your other photos and tell you if they think any of the images you didn’t include should be added in. They may see something you missed. [20] X Research source
If you’re commissioned to add photos to an essay, you should make sure images reflect the written word, but also add emotion and context the writing could not capture. For example, an essay on poverty may include an image of a child and parent living on the street could capture more emotional context. Captions should only include information the viewer could not derive from the photo itself. For instance, you can include a date, the subject’s name, or a statistic relevant to your subject in the caption. If you choose not to have any text or just a title and some introductory and/or closing words, make sure you convey all necessary information succinctly. [21] X Research source
