behind the lens of a veteran photojournalist: how to tell more compelling stories using photos

Storytelling through Photos April 13, 2010

1 About Resource Media

Communications Strategy

Media Outreach Campaigns Environmental Policy Focus

Staff 30 9 Offices

San Francisco Seattle Boulder Kalispell Sacramento

Bozeman Portland Salt Lake City Anchorage

Overview:

2 Storytelling Basics

Strategic Communications

Taking Better Photos

Sharing

Why do we tell stories?

“Once upon a time…”

“There was once a…”

“A funny thing happened to me today…”

What makes a good story?

Protagonist

Mission

Tension

Resolution

Create a Lasting Impression

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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.

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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?

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?

What moves your audience?

•  What do you want them to do?

•  What will move them to act?

•  Appeal to their values

By Eric Hurt

Editing & Cropping

Camera Controls

The Photo Story

Compositional Techniques

Advice from the Pros 3

Shutter Speed:

Picture a stage curtain:

The longer the curtain is open, the more the actors are exposed

Controls how long the exposure lasts

Shutter Speed Affects: Action

Fast shutter speed

Slow shutter speed

Aperture: Controls how big a hole the light goes through

Picture a culvert:

The bigger the culvert, the more water gets through

Aperture Affects: Depth of field

Small Aperture

Large Aperture

Landscape:

Both foreground and background are in focus

Action:

Fast shutter speed to freeze motion

Portrait:

Only foreground in focus, background soft

Macro:

Allows super close-ups

Nighttime

Long exposure, followed by a flash

•  Wide shot ---sets the scene

•  Medium shot – the main action

•  Tight shot – a detail

The Photo Story

By: W. Eugene Smith

•  Wide shot --- sets the scene

The Photo Story:

The Photo Story:

•  Medium shot – the main action

The Photo Story:

•  Tight shot – a detail

Photo story: The Green River

Clockwise from top left: scene-setter, main action, detail

Example: Photo story, EarthCorps

Counter-clockwise from top: scene-setter, main action, detail

Show the world how you see it

Compositional techniques:

•  Fill the frame

•  The decisive moment

•  Perspective

“The Decisive Moment”

"There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment.”

-- Cardinal de Retz, circa 1650

“The Decisive Moment”

•  Set up your “architecture” and pounce

•  Look for patterns and rhythms and anticipate

Henri Cartier-Bresson

“The Decisive Moment” Which one is more compelling?

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Fill the Frame

Think about what you leave in…

…and what you leave out.

Fill the frame—without distractions

Amputated

Background Clutter

Shish Kebab

Perspective Which one is more interesting?

Advice from the pros:

- Robert Capa, killed by stepping on a mine

“If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”

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.

Editing

You’re only as good as your worst photo

Which one is best?

Cropping

How would you crop this?

Cropping

A decisive moment, filling the frame, with no distractions

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.

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

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!

4 Sharing

Getting the word out

What avenues would be most effective in reaching my target audience?

What tools are available, as audiences and objectives change?

S h a r e

Some tools for your toolbox

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.

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

Reuse & Recycle …Your Content!

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.

Contact Information:

Sian Wu: sian@resource-media.org Matt Brashears: mattb@resource-media.org

Resource Media 159 Western Ave. W., Ste. 480 Seattle, WA 98119 206-374-7795