Download - Behind the Lens of a Veteran Photojournalist: How to Tell More Compelling Stories Using Photos
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Storytelling through Photos April 13, 2010
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1 About Resource Media
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Communications Strategy
Media Outreach Campaigns Environmental Policy Focus
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Staff 30 9 Offices
San Francisco Seattle Boulder Kalispell Sacramento
Bozeman Portland Salt Lake City Anchorage
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Overview:
2 Storytelling Basics
Strategic Communications
Taking Better Photos
Sharing
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Why do we tell stories?
“Once upon a time…”
“There was once a…”
“A funny thing happened to me today…”
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What makes a good story?
Protagonist
Mission
Tension
Resolution
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Create a Lasting Impression
By A
lfred
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Sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square, New York City on Aug. 14, 1945, following the announcement of V---J Day.
vs.
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Communicate by showing, not telling
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Be Strategic Where do you want to go?
How will this story and these images get us there?
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Know your Audience
• Which audiences do you want to reach with these stories? Why?
• What do you want those audiences to do?
• What will move them to act?
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What moves your audience?
• What do you want them to do?
• What will move them to act?
• Appeal to their values
By Eric Hurt
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Editing & Cropping
Camera Controls
The Photo Story
Compositional Techniques
Advice from the Pros 3
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Shutter Speed:
Picture a stage curtain:
The longer the curtain is open, the more the actors are exposed
Controls how long the exposure lasts
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Shutter Speed Affects: Action
Fast shutter speed
Slow shutter speed
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Aperture: Controls how big a hole the light goes through
Picture a culvert:
The bigger the culvert, the more water gets through
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Aperture Affects: Depth of field
Small Aperture
Large Aperture
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Landscape:
Both foreground and background are in focus
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Action:
Fast shutter speed to freeze motion
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Portrait:
Only foreground in focus, background soft
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Macro:
Allows super close-ups
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Nighttime
Long exposure, followed by a flash
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• Wide shot ---sets the scene
• Medium shot – the main action
• Tight shot – a detail
The Photo Story
By: W. Eugene Smith
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• Wide shot --- sets the scene
The Photo Story:
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The Photo Story:
• Medium shot – the main action
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The Photo Story:
• Tight shot – a detail
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Photo story: The Green River
Clockwise from top left: scene-setter, main action, detail
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Example: Photo story, EarthCorps
Counter-clockwise from top: scene-setter, main action, detail
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Show the world how you see it
Compositional techniques:
• Fill the frame
• The decisive moment
• Perspective
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“The Decisive Moment”
"There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.”
-- Cardinal de Retz, circa 1650
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“The Decisive Moment”
• Set up your “architecture” and pounce
• Look for patterns and rhythms and anticipate
Henri Cartier-Bresson
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“The Decisive Moment” Which one is more compelling?
By T
hom
as E
. Fra
nklin
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Fill the Frame
Think about what you leave in…
…and what you leave out.
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Fill the frame—without distractions
Amputated
Background Clutter
Shish Kebab
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Perspective Which one is more interesting?
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Advice from the pros:
- Robert Capa, killed by stepping on a mine
“If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”
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How many pictures should I take?
During seven weeks of shooting my recent story on wildfires, published in July 2008, I shot...
Ask a National Geographic photographer:
National Geographic staff photographer Mark Thiessen
12,000 images.
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Editing
You’re only as good as your worst photo
Which one is best?
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Cropping
How would you crop this?
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Cropping
A decisive moment, filling the frame, with no distractions
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Some “Don’ts”
Don’t… • …be afraid to get close to your subjects.
• …only shoot posed photos.
• …put all your photos online – edit!
• …make people stand with their backs against a wall for a headshot, blasting them with a flash.
• …use your flash unless you have to – Mother Nature’s light it better.
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Photo recap:
• Set your camera for the shot you’re trying to get (e.g., action, portrait, landscape, etc.)
• Remember the three elements of a photo story and seek out shots that fulfill each element
• Fill the frame with important stuff; leave out stuff that isn’t
• Look for candid, decisive moments
• Shoot a lot, but edit tightly, only showing your best work
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Storytelling recap:
Think about your audience • What story do they need to hear?
Who’s the hero?
What’s the mission?
Do you have a solution?
• Personalize their story
• Make it relatable
Where’s the tension? • Make it real
• Show it!
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4 Sharing
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Getting the word out
What avenues would be most effective in reaching my target audience?
What tools are available, as audiences and objectives change?
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S h a r e
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Some tools for your toolbox
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Blogs
- Most bloggers don’t have the budget to pay for photos.
- Always provide them with the correct attribution and a caption.
- Don’t send an attachment.
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Pitching the media
Timing is key—they want to see the action
Ensure access to people and places
Pay attention to photo credits
Describe the photo opp. in the media advisory
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Reuse & Recycle …Your Content!
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In Conclusion…
• Remember your goal and your audience
• Be purposeful with your photos
o Get close to your subjects (physically and emotionally)
o You’re only as good as your worst photo
• Appeal to your audiences’ values
• Your photos aren’t good if no one can see them, so share.
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Contact Information:
Sian Wu: [email protected] Matt Brashears: [email protected]
Resource Media 159 Western Ave. W., Ste. 480 Seattle, WA 98119 206-374-7795